Certain versions of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 will be offered with both the GM eight-speed automatic transmission and GM ten-speed automatic transmission, the automaker confirmed to GM Authority this week.
When equipped with both the 5.3L L84 V8 engine and four-wheel-drive, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 can be ordered with either the GM eight-speed automatic transmission or, if the customer is willing to fork over a little extra cash, the GM ten-speed automatic transmission.
The automaker decided to drop the ten-speed automatic transmission in certain versions of the truck late in the 2020 model year in favor of the eight-speed automatic, but with this change, GMC buyers will be able to choose which transmission they want. The ten-speed automatic carries a $200 premium over the older eight-speed automatic.
Customers can expect superior fuel economy in choosing the more up-to-date transmission option. When equipped with the 5.3L V8, ten-speed automatic and four-wheel-drive, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. The same truck with the eight-speed automatic returns 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.
The option to add eight the eight-speed or ten-speed automatic transmission to the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is available with the SLE or Elevation trim levels and only with the 5.3L L84 V8 engine and four-wheel-drive. The base Sierra trim level features the older 5.3L L82 V8 engine without dynamic fuel management, which is paired with a six-speed automatic.
Some customers have reported experiencing issues with the GM eight-speed automatic. A class-action lawsuit was filed against GM by owners of vehicles with the eight-speed last year, who complained of recurring issues with the transmission. GM Authority even penned an op-ed in the past deriding the eight-speed and suggesting it be replaced by the newer ten-speed. We’d say this is a $200 upgrade worth making, then, but we’ll leave it up to GMC customers to decide for themselves.
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Comments
I don’t understand an I guess I will never I love SILVERADOS but I don’t understand why Gm don’t work hard an spend maybe a little more money on building a quality product don’t they see they would gain customers plus keep the ones that have if they stop having so many recalls and act like a company that has been building vehicles more then a day.
The Chinese are working on it since it is obvious that they have big shares in the company, just check out their site. I owned a GMC and recently sold it preferring to buy Hyundai again , not Chinese and bought a 2021 Pallisade Calligraphy. GMC cannot compete in warranty or price or trade in or extras for the price or availability. Most of the parts are made in China and the recalls are proof of a lower quality standard that 20 dollar an hour jobs are not going to save.
Seems like GM takes trucks buyers for granted as they spend all their money on EVs not on the vehicles that bring in the big bucks. The 10 speed should be standard on all engines except the v6
Issue wasn’t with the 8 speed design, it was poor fluid quality. Not a GM product. Torque converter sometimes needed replaced if too much water made it in the system, absorbed by the poor fluid, particularly susceptible in humid climates. 8speed itself is an incredible design.
Incredibile design?? Yeah ok lol
Incredibly BAD design that should have been discontinued many years ago. The problem ISN’T a fluid problem it is a design flaw that they have tried repeatedly to minimize with literally throwing the kitchen sink at! This thing belongs on a shelf along with AFM/DFM, Auto start/stop and, aluminum body panels. I am currently in Lemon Law litigation for the 8 speed that can’t be fixed with 7 trips to different dealers, total of 47 days out of service at 7,200 miles! $54,000 truck that slips going into the next higher gear, lunges at stop signs, slams into gear violent enough to squeal tires! Oh yeah it’s an incredible design. To the point that it is my LAST GM vehicle!
This sounds like my 2018 Canyon. Had torque converter replaced 5 months after purchase with less than 5k miles. Have taken it back to dealership 5+ times with them saying nothing is wrong. Thanks for letting me know I am not crazy. This is exactly what my truck does.
I have the 2020 AT4 with the 10 speed and I can tell you now that I’ll never own another truck with the ten speed transmittion, it’s constantly shifting between 9 and 10th gears on highway speeds. Honestly I can’t wait to trade the truck in and got back to Ram!
Just another way for greedy GM to make money to spend on the crappy Lectrics.
They need to just drop the 8 and offer 6 or 10. I feel the 8 has had such bad press and doesn’t offer much over the 6. The first gear is steep but the overdrives arn’t any different.
The 10 speed and 3.0 Duramax sounds fantastic though. Not having the rev-range of a gasser and having the low end to ride 10th… Might be my next truck when I’m due.
The 8 offers a lot in terms of shift speed and overall range. The 6 speed had a rather dramatic 1-2 shift and closer gear ratios, like the 4l80 to increase power to wheels in a towing situation. The 10 is a little less of a dramatic improvement. It’s biggest upgrade is the active fluid management. I’d like so see how that adds to heat and friction reduction. In the meantime I still have a truck with the 4l60, and it’s sufficient. All these improvements really are impressive!
G.M. is putting profits over quality, need to send Mary B. packing
Ever since China became involved
My 8 speed works great after getting a flush and receiving the new fluid spec. Nothing mechanically wrong with it like some people say. .
Yes the fluid was the issue not the transmission. But given time they will move all to the 10 speed. At this point they may not have the capacity to do all that yet. Also till the investment is paid off it would increase the price of the cheaper trucks to where it could affect sales.
While profits are a part of this there are other factors involved.
I highly doubt the $200 difference between the 8 speed and 10 speed plays a factor in someone purchasing a $40,000+ vehicle.
I agree my 2018 chevy 8 speed transmission sucks. Fluid flushed and changed 3 times still has lots of shifting problems. Tried GM Tech service but unfortunately no dealer so far will drive it more than 5 miles to test it and claim everything is fine and normal. What a joke. I believe they will find the problem when warranty expires. Not happy in PA
It’s probably because the damage was done to the torque converter before they changed the fluid. They need to swap the torque converter out. Also, if you want it to shift like butter get a Trifecta tune.
GM has to make everything so confusing, way to many engine/transmission options. Just drop the 8spd or the 6spd and make the 10spd more standard and drop the V6 engine it’s pointless with the turbo 4 a better performing engine. Also for the love of all things please replace the 5.3 the engine is old.
The 5.3 isn’t old, it’s now in the 5 generation of that block, with numerous upgrades that happen throughout each generation. Just because the displacement hasn’t changed doesn’t mean numerous other things haven’t.
2019 Chev with the 8 speed and it is the worst transmission I have ever owned and no fixes from GM only a statement that is operating as designed . Started acting up at 5000 miles and has the new fluid.
2020 Chev with the 6 speed is operating flawlessly.
Do not buy an 8 speed no matter what the savings.
2018 GMC 1500 8 speed trany what a POS thanks for wasting $60k resale best offer i had was from a chevy dealership $32k with only 18,000 miles on truck worst vehicle purchase in my life!
All GM transmissions have sucked since 2014. The company refuses to acknowledge and fix the issues. As an owner of a gmc it will be the last GM truck I buy.
Wow, I juts don’t know what GM is thinking
It’s 2020 get with it ditch the complete nightmare 8 speed and stick with the 10 speed. It’s the only way forward if u wish to compete
I read where GM is in a class action lawsuit over the 2010 to 2014 5.3 engine. I had to replace my engine with a Jasper motor. This engine along with quality issues are the worst. I’m like the gentleman before me. I have bought my last GM. The deal is GM knows there is loyalty buyers, and a certain percent will continue to buy there POS trucks. I hate to say it but Toyota is the best auto made for the money. Do your research and you will see.
Hat der Camaro mit 8 Gang Automatik das gleiche Problem? Ist ja die gleiche Automatik!
Hat der Camaro mit 8 Gang Automatik das gleiche Problem? Ist ja die gleiche Automatik!
Ich liebe die Autos von GM besonders den Camaro!!