I have a 2015 Suburban, 106,000 miles. I bought it earlier this year, with 97,000 miles.

Yesterday I was on the interstate, cruise control set at 82mph and I went over an overpass, the truck shifted and the motor quickly revved to nearly 6,000 rpm before I could tap the brake to disengage the cruise.

"What the hell was that?" I thought. "Did my transmission just slip?"

I reset the cruise and everything seemed fine. At the next overpass I was ready, with my foot hovering over the brake, and the problem repeated itself.

I continued my drive another 15 minutes on the interstate and then exited. The truck then seemed ok as I drove surface streets for a few miles to my destination. But when I put it in reverse at my destination, it slipped and took 3-4 seconds for reverse to engage.

After 30 minutes I drove to my next destination about 2 miles away. Again, it seemed ok. But at my destination, reverse would not engage at all. I put it in P and then R. Then N and then R. Nothing. I then put it back in drive, and it barely engaged. The truck revving up into the 3,000 RPM range for me to be able to move 5 mph.

At this point I left it parked and called AAA. Many, many hours later, when they finally arrived, the truck engaged just fine, in fact, the tow truck driver was even able to drive it onto the flatbed. And it arrived at the Chevy dealer last night.

As a layperson, I am pretty sure I just got really unlucky and my transmission just died. I would love to hear opinions of those with more vehicle experience than I.

Edited to Add - The first thing I did after I bought it was have a complete service done, including changing the transmission fluid.

checked the fluid level recently?

Sorry, but it's all over but the crying.

The transmission fluid should be checked regularly and changed every 30K miles or so.
If that hasn't been done, 106,000 miles is about what you can expect.

I’d service it first. It can behave this way when it’s low on fluid, or the filter is restricted. Transmission filters cannot bypass when they’re loaded like engine oil filters do.

If the fluid is low, it has gone somewhere. It doesn’t just vanish, so if you see fluid everywhere, that can indicate low fluid. Wrecking yards are full of these trucks. You can probably get one for a couple hundred bucks and install it in a few hours on a Saturday afternoon.

I think it's toast if the fluid hasnt been changed and even then it still might be done.

A truck that heavy will scorch the clutches and seals really quick at the first sign of fluid restriction.

If it starts slipping noticeably, then it has been slipping unnoticed for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by sigcrazy7:
I’d service it first. It can behave this way when it’s low on fluid, or the filter is restricted. Transmission filters cannot bypass when they’re loaded like engine oil filters do.

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not a mechanic but I agree

had a GM transmission a few years ago was slipping a bit

mechanic recommended a transmission fluid service as a first step

did that and no further issues --- not as bad as yours though

best of luck -

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OP here - Yes, I had a full service done right after I bought it, including changing the transmission fluid.

quote:

Yes, I had a full service done right after I bought it, including changing the transmission fluid.

Well that's good. You might be able to save it then. Since fluid changes are "easy" they often put the most inexperienced tech on them. Sometimes they don't start the pan bolt by hand to make sure it's threading correctly. They put an air ratchet on it when it's cross-threaded which can destroy the threads on the pan, causing a slow fluid leak.

Check the fluid level. Check the pan bolt. Have the dealer document it if it's cross threaded. You may have a claim against whoever did your service earlier this year.

He already had it towed to the dealer.

You probably do not want to hear this but if it is a true transmission failure and not just an electronic switch gone bad do not let them rebuild it.A rebuild by the dealership is only covered for 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Instead install a GM SRTA remanufactured transmission. Those carry a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. Sure it might be more money but play the "beat 'em down" price. There are a Lot of incentives when dealers buy those in bulk and many times there are dealers that participate in that program even if yours does not. And even if there are no dealers in the area that are Level 1 Powertrain dealers they can go to the D to D parts locator and find a dealer that gives discounts and free shipping to the dealership.

If I was still in the game I could be of assistance but I do have one contact that is a Level 1 dealer. Email me if the dealer is having problems with finding one.

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:

Instead install a GM SRTA remanufactured transmission. Those carry a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty.

I have a friend of a friend that works for the dealer. If they find the worst case (tranny is shot) this is the route we plan to take.

If the dealer says it's shot, ask them for some warranty help. It had a 5yr 100k powertrain warranty. If they offer no help call GM cust. service and plead. You may be surprised at the outcome.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
If the dealer says it's shot, ask them for some warranty help. It had a 5yr 100k powertrain warranty. If they offer no help call GM cust. service and plead. You may be surprised at the outcome.

Yes, already on it. This is my second Suburban, wife's car is a Chevy, so our chances look good.

In a past life I was a trainer for GM, and my concentration was transmission, heavy engine. I would agree the SRTA is the way to go. besides the added warranty you get a trans that has all the updates. It will actually be better than new.

Jim

If the transmission is toast, go with a Jasper.

Haven't seen this mentioned yet, but when we rebuilt or replaced transmissions we would also flush or replace the transmission cooler and lines. No sense running old junk through new parts.

So, are you telling your family and friends that you blew a tranny?

Good luck - I hope it works out in your (cheapest) favor!

We have an '03 Suburban with 358,000 miles on it. It was running great, then two weeks ago it got really cold and a transmission cooler line hose let go while my wife was driving it. In a mile it pumped out all the fluid in to the ground, then it stopped moving.

I had it towed home, filled it, crossed my fingers and drove it. I got about 2 miles before it was obvious that the 3-4 clutch pack was done for. Truck wouldn't go above second gear.

I spent three days pulling it out, and took it in to a local place for a rebuild. $1500 and a day's work later (went in a lot easier than it came out!), it's shifting like new and has a 3yr/75,000 mile warranty on it.

Im meticulous about maintenance on that truck, and have changed the trans fluid and filter every 30K. It sucks to have to spend the money, especially over something as stupid as a cooler line, but with 350+k on it, I figure it didn't owe anybody anything. Not to mention I'm sure I've put some decent wear on it the last few years pulling our camper up mountains out west. The new unit at least yields some peace of mind.