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If your 8spd trans is rough, put your hand up

137K views 757 replies 150 participants last post by  BHBHANY 
#1 ·
I keep seeing these rough 8 speed transmission threads, but both at the dealership and when I called Chrysler Corporate they tell me that they have NO idea this is a problem. So I'd like to get a list going and see if it's substantial. If you have a rough or unsmooth 8 speed transmission, reply here-just reply with what model you have.


as for me:
2014 GJC Limited 3.6l
 
#642 ·
So... I picked my new replacement SRT today and put about 160 miles on her today. I'm happy to report that there is ABSOLUTELY NO CLUNK during the 6-5 downshift or anywhere else. It is very smooth shifting up and down. It's build date is May 2nd for those interested. The only issue I have found is the fender flair on the back door is misaligned which my dealer is going to fix during its first service. I'm going to give her a good clay barring in the next couple days so I'll report back if there are any small paint imperfections, but so far overall the paint seems to have good even coverage with the typical orange peel texture. The driving experience so far has been night and day. We'll see what the next couple hundred miles brings.


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#643 ·
Good to hear JS...my new one doesn't seem to clunk but the downshifting is still erratically rough. It seems better than my last one though. Hopefully yours doesn't "learn" to misbehave as you get more miles on it. Mine got better as I put some miles on it, actually (~500 now).

On your misaligned flare, do you mean it's attached a little low on the door so it's uneven with the piece over the wheel well? I have that as well and will have the dealer resolve it when I get around to it.
 
#644 ·
On your misaligned flare, do you mean it's attached a little low on the door so it's uneven with the piece over the wheel well? I have that as well and will have the dealer resolve it when I get around to it.

There is a clip on the trailing edge of the flare that is loose and can't be engaged because the double sided tape on the leading edge is holding it out of alignment. If that makes any sense. The body shop is going to pull off the flair put new tape on it and realign it. Here is a pic.

Tire Automotive tire Vehicle Wheel Synthetic rubber



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#650 ·
as of May 07,2015 there is a new TSB is out for 2014 SRT transmission issues, requires a re programing of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) with new software, per TSB...amount of time required is .3 hrs, 8 mins for download...
This TSB supersedes service bulletin 21-005-15 dated Jan 29,2015......
Guess I will get it done soon and see if anything improves
 
#654 ·
I have been doing some diagnosing. I had the flash for the 8-7 rough shifting. Now I notice unless you come to a complete stop for 2 sec or longer it will not down shift to 1st gear. 90% of the time its starting off in second gear. I think alot of the "thumping" or "slipping" some feel is the transmission deciding what gear to start off in.
 
#656 ·
I've decided to put an end to my Jeep GC SRT trans issues.... I'm going to trade it in on a new GMC Denali or Chevy
High Country crew cab short box 4x4 with the 6.2 V8, won't be as fast for sure, but I bet I will have a lot fewer problems, than I've had with my Jeep
 
#658 ·
2014 GC Summit. 27,700 miles. Granite Crystal with brown interior.
I've had the vehicle in for the transmission 3 times now. It was a little better, however, it's still rough shifting, especially coming up to a stop sign it seems to quickly shift down and the metal clunking sound is there. I can almost put up with that but my main issue is on the highway where you want to have all 8 gears the vehicle does not seem to shift out of 7th gear. it shifts down with cruise control on a slight incline and does not shift back to 8th. Anyone else with this issue? Of course I'm driving on major interstate at 75 to 85 MPH. out of cruise I can manipulate the pedal to get it to shift back to 8th but it seldom shifts on it's own. Thoughts? Opinions? common?
thanks
 
#659 ·
I assume you have the V6. One of the many shifting anomalies I've had includes the getting stuck in 7th gear around 75mph. I think that's when I brought it in around the beginning of the year and the dealership flashed the latest transmission update and performed a quick relearn. The quick relearn took me 10 steps back. The vehicle shifted very hard at that point. I couldn't stand it after three days and disconnected the battery. It immediately smoothed out the transmission and stayed that way pretty much to this day. I do still have random weird shifting. I just took it in today for an oil change and my laundry list of other items that have been stacking up. This would make dealership visit number 10 I think just on transmission shifting related.
- Transmission shifting (mostly good but not great)
- Shudder in steering wheel around 70mph. Two prior visits to address this.
- Popping noise from rear on sunny days. Noticed in the forum others are having this issue that may be coming from the rear spoiler.
- Creaking noise from front end when going over bumps. Had similar noise in the rear and dealership replaced the shocks.

Check with your dealership to see if the latest updates have been applied to your transmission. After the updates I would suggest either having them perform a extensive relearn or try healing thyself and disconnect the battery to reset shift points.
 
#660 ·
Thanks. yes it's the V6. I went to the dealer and now have an appointment for week after next. they are either really busy or understaffed. They stated that they would check the flashes to make sure I'm up to date, but if that doesn't work then they stated that, that's just the way the way the transmission is. I said BULL. anyway, we'll see.
 
#666 · (Edited)
I'm having the harsh 2-3 upshift issue with my 10/14 built 2015 Summit with the six. As others have written, until the tranny warms up, the upshift is not smooth. After that no problems. All updates have been performed, disconnected the battery for an hour, same problem. Can't believe that the 15's still have the problem. I have a good relationship with my dealer. When I told them the issue prior to them updating the most recent software, they said that I'm the first one to complain. I can only think that either their other customers are not having a problem, or they just aren't cognizant of a problem.
 
#674 ·
I'm having the harsh 2-3 upshift issue with my 10/14 built 2015 Summit with the six. As others have written, until the tranny warms up, the upshift is not smooth. After that no problems. All updates have been performed, disconnected the battery for an hour, same problem. Can't believe that the 15's still have the problem. I have a good relationship with my dealer. When I told them the issue prior to them updating the most recent software, they said that I'm the first one to complain. I can only think that either their other customers are not having a problem, or they just aren't cognizant of a problem.

10/20/15- Well Chrysler told the dealer to replace the valve body which was re-designed. Got it back from the dealer Well my 2-3 upshift is now smooth whether tranny is cold or hot. Now, when tranny is hot my 3-2 DOWNSHIFT is pathetic with a big clunk. WTF kind of morons does Chrysler have working for them?

Called the dealer and they are communicating with Chrysler again. I have never heard of anything so pathetic in my life. I should have kept my '12. Had absolutely no problems. I also should have listened to all of you who had problems with the '14's. I figured that with the '15 model, all issues would be ironed out.
 
#668 ·
I noticed that the tsb for the flash that they installed specifically states not to clear the learn memory.
 
#672 ·
I'm having my share of issues with the transmission in the 15. Been into service 5 x (that's once a month since I got the car new in April).

My main issue - very prevalent (intermittent) delay in upshift from 1-2, during course of mostly city driving throughout the day. What I mean by "delay" is that car doesn't go to 1-2 without revving high and then hanging in 1 longer than is typical before finally upshifting. Notice it happens when driving pattern changes (such as when you are in stop and go for, say 15 mins, and then when traffic clears and you finally have the opportunity to accelerate, major drag in 1-2.

Also, first upshift in the morning. Car drives like molasses. Shifts late from 1-2 and 2-3 with high revs, drop in HP, and then a surge or bucking at gear change.

Also, accelerating through the automatic downshift that the transmission does when traveling down even the slightest slope. I get that slipping sensation, high revs with the feelings like there isn't enough power to shift up.

Had TSB flashes and the relearn twice - once at 1000 miles and once at 4200 miles. Also valve body replaced at 2000. Problem persists. Took it in for oil at 5000 and they drove it with a scan tool and and said all the transmission metrics were being met as designed.

Have a demand letter to Chryler requesting buyback, but not holding my breath since the service paperwork says "car operating as designed."

Not sure what to do next.




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#675 ·
Sounds about right. I've been living out an absolute nightmare with this car. Six months of ownership and no resolution. Two flashes AND valve body replacement. Now I just saw that they issues another TSB on October 9. Currently dealing with Chrysler for buyback or replacement. Can't trade it in because of negative equity. This is by far the worst car-related experience of my life. Unbelievable that they don't know how to identify the problem and find a solution. Should've kept my 2012. This car is a dog. Need to mash the accelerator to get the thing to shift into 2 when in traffic, car lags then surges in morning, just an awful experience all around.


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#679 · (Edited)
I'd like to hear more about this redesigned valve body. When did they install that? I wonder if I got the redesigned valve body when they replaced mine

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New valve body was replaced last Wednesday. Part no. according to paperwork is #21139004.
 
#681 · (Edited)
Thank you for information. This is very valuable to me. Whereabouts is your dealer, if you don't me asking? Hopefully it's near me :) but I doubt you're in LA


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Sorry, they're in Easton, Pa.
 
#682 ·
June 2015 built Pentastar V6 Overland. Keep in mind I'm coming from a 2014 Hemi.

My transmission is STUPID. No other word for it. It isn't terrible, just doesn't have its shit together like my Hemi did.

Coming to a stop, when it downshifts into 1st gear, you can feel it and messes with the smoothness of my braking and coming to a seamless stop.

If I'm lucky that it downshifts into first, that is. Say I only stop briefly or roll a stop sign, it stays in 2nd gear. Then does an abrupt downshift to 1st because it can't start in 2nd. Very very very annoying!!

Under hard acceleration it makes a squeak when shifting from 1-2 and 2-3. Sounds like shit (dealer said this was normal, like hell it is)

Traveling about 79mph, it won't use 8th gear. I can get it into 8th using the paddle shifters and it will stay. Very frustrating because I frequently drive on a highway that the speed limit is 85 in Texas, and my GC is wringing itself out just cruising down the highway. Pos.
 
#683 · (Edited)
June 2015 built Pentastar V6 Overland. Keep in mind I'm coming from a 2014 Hemi.

My transmission is STUPID. No other word for it. It isn't terrible, just doesn't have its shit together like my Hemi did.

Coming to a stop, when it downshifts into 1st gear, you can feel it and messes with the smoothness of my braking and coming to a seamless stop.

If I'm lucky that it downshifts into first, that is. Say I only stop briefly or roll a stop sign, it stays in 2nd gear. Then does an abrupt downshift to 1st because it can't start in 2nd. Very very very annoying!!

Under hard acceleration it makes a squeak when shifting from 1-2 and 2-3. Sounds like shit (dealer said this was normal, like hell it is)

Traveling about 79mph, it won't use 8th gear. I can get it into 8th using the paddle shifters and it will stay. Very frustrating because I frequently drive on a highway that the speed limit is 85 in Texas, and my GC is wringing itself out just cruising down the highway. Pos.
How many miles do you have on it? Do you have latest flashes? So from Jan 2013 until June 2015 they still have not got these v6 trans issues worked out. Can't imagine you would think that would be a high priority to correct.
 
#686 ·
Latest TSB was issued 10/9/15. However, after having received the first two previous and yielding no result, I'm inclined to believe my service manager, who told me yesterday that TSBs are only effective if a Malfunction light is present. No malfunction light, no issues (according to Chrysler). Hopefully he's wrong. I was optimistic that TSB 21-027-15 Rev C was going to be the magic bullet


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#687 · (Edited)
Latest TSB was issued 10/9/15. However, after having received the first two previous and yielding no result, I'm inclined to believe my service manager, who told me yesterday that TSBs are only effective if a Malfunction light is present. No malfunction light, no issues (according to Chrysler). Hopefully he's wrong. I was optimistic that TSB 21-027-15 Rev C was going to be the magic bullet

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Your service manager is full of shit. If you read the tsb's near the end of the literal, there is a box that tells the dealer what service code to use. There are two service codes. One is for customer concern, in other words, a problem has occurred. The second code is routine flash, which means the dealer is updating the program because it is updated software. My dealer always updates my software whether I bring it to their attention or not. No different than your home computer. Don't you update that to the most recent software version?

It's simple. If you have a problem and the tsb doesn't solve it, there is something else wrong.
 
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