2017 Regal Turbo (transmission) shudders under acceleration

[LKN Regal]

New to the forum

I have a 2017 Regal turbo premium 6speed auto with 55k on the odometer. For the last few weeks I started noticing some light shuddering or vibration when lightly accelerating.

At first it was at low speeds (about 15-20 mph), more noticeable going uphill. It seemed almost like it was in too high a gear for the low speed (it was in 3rd, when I put it in manual and downshifted to 2nd the vibe went away). This issue has been intermittent and didn't happen everyday. Temperature has not been an issue, happens when car is cold or after 30 minutes of driving.

I've been waiting for it to get worse before taking it in for powertrain warranty. As of yesterday it got much worse. Now the shudder happens at any speed between 15-60 mph and lasts as long as 30 seconds. Shifting to manual doesn't make a difference. It's happening 3 to 4 times during each 30 minute commute to work.

A week ago I checked the fluid (with engine off on level ground) and it was a little dirty. I know level wasn't accurate due to engine off but it wasn't way off at all.

The engine runs smooth, turbo works perfect, and I've had no check engine lights on. I use premium fuel and top tier gas as recommended by GM.

Anyone else have this issue? I'm an aircraft mechanic and am quite mechanically inclined. I hate dealing with dealer techs because their trouble shooting skills are horrible.

I do have an appointment made for next Tuesday, but I'm expecting them to tell me they can't find a problem. Any advice, TSB info, or similar experience would be helpful from y'all.

Thanks for reading my long post and thanks in advance for any help!

 

[agaric]

check your manual for the trans service interval and get that done if needed.

 

[LKN Regal]

check your manual for the trans service interval and get that done if needed.

Trans service isn't due til 60k for heavy duty use. Normal use isn't due til 150k.

 

[HotZ28]

The dealer will more than likely tell you the that trans computer needs to be reprogrammed. That is a typical response from the dealer due to lack of professional advice! Total replacement is the only option, which may not last any longer than the original trans before it happens again! If you have a warranty, insist on a total new trans replacement!

 

[-Regal-]

The dealer will more than likely tell you the that trans computer needs to be reprogrammed. That is a typical response from the dealer due to lack of professional advice! Total replacement is the only option, which may not last any longer than the original trans before it happens again! If you have a warranty, insist on a total new trans replacement!

Good call. Simpler workarounds will be suggested in order to usher the car to just outside of warranty so it's no longer their problem.

 

[LKN Regal]

Trans service isn't due til 60k for heavy duty use. Normal use isn't due til 150k.

Sorry, I was wrong. It's 45k for hvy use, no interval for normal use. If dealer doesn't help out I'll do a fluid flush.

 

[LKN Regal]

Good call. Simpler workarounds will be suggested in order to usher the car to just outside of warranty so it's no longer their problem.

I agree with you here. Most often I have to open a customer care case when trying to get things fixed at the dealership.

That's why I only take my vehicles in when under warranty or if I run out of tools or knowledge to fix the problem. Sucks that you can't trust the dealer any more than a backwoods shop.

 

[LKN Regal]

The dealer will more than likely tell you the that trans computer needs to be reprogrammed. That is a typical response from the dealer due to lack of professional advice! Total replacement is the only option, which may not last any longer than the original trans before it happens again! If you have a warranty, insist on a total new trans replacement!

Thanks. Unfortunately I think you're gonna be right on the outcome.

 

[-Regal-]

Unfortunately most dealership "technicians" don't like doing warranty work as they are set in the amount of time they're paid for it and on top of that they get paid less for their time by the manufacturer than for other regular work. This is probably why they look for easier and likely more temporary solutions to get them out quicker.

As far as changing the transmission fluid, I believe they are meant to be sealed and "unserviceable" though there are workarounds. Someone posted a video a while back and may be able to do so again if they find this thread. Changing the filter may not be possible which is ridiculous.

 

[LKN Regal]

Unfortunately most dealership "technicians" don't like doing warranty work as they are set in the amount of time they're paid for it and on top of that they get paid less for their time by the manufacturer than for other regular work. This is probably why they look for easier and likely more temporary solutions to get them out quicker.

As far as changing the transmission fluid, I believe they are meant to be sealed and "unserviceable" though there are workarounds. Someone posted a video a while back and may be able to do so again if they find this thread. Changing the filter may not be possible which is ridiculous.

I had a Ford Fusion, the only new Ford I've ever owned, that had a tranny go bad at 66k. Power train warranty was 60k. Fluid could only be pumped in and pumped out, no filter.

Ford wouldn't do anything for me so I traded it in for a Monte Carlo. Most reliable car I've ever owned. 148,000 trouble free miles until the trans started acting up.

 

[LKN Regal]

Car is at the dealership now and I'm home with a loaner. The service manager took it for a ride and agreed there was an issue. Plan is for them to connect the laptop to it and drive it to monitor the torque converter and shifts. Go to know they're gonna do much more than look for codes.

Huge thanks to MelsRegal for posting a link on my HVAC post for TSB's. I found one that is related to my trans and the dealer was happy that I had it for them. They hadn't seen many 6sp autos with issues.

The link from MelsRegal is 2017 BUICK REGAL 4 DR FWD

Ill let y'all know what happens. Thanks again for all the tips and comments!

 

[BoostedRegal2.0]

I never have any problem getting warranty work done at my local dealer. I did buy my car there so maybe by giving me hassle free service that might persuade me to buy my next car there. But it really shouldn't matter if it wasn't, since they should perform the repair no matter where it was purchased. Evidently all dealerships are different as to their willingness to do warranty work.

 

[MKz2017PremII]

I'm having the first trans fluid change service (not flush) on my 2017 Regal w 20k miles...don't want to take any chances.

 

[LinMik]

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum and am at my wits end.. I bought my Regal about 18 months ago brand new. I had and am still having same issue with shuttering... my '17 AWD Turbo had 22k on it when it started and dealer kept putting me off claiming short staffed. Dealer finally took it in last week to do the reprogramming. He then found the TSB on the issue (after I asked him about some issues my son, a mechanic at BMW, wondered about) .. Replaced the valve body, upper and lower and the shift adapts pressures were reset... He then told me it could take 1000 to 3000 km before it re-learnt my driving habits.. Less then 100 km later it has started again... Doesnt matter the speed and even when decelerating coming to stop sign or light.. Some of the "shutters" are scary..... Was your issue corrected by the same "fix"? And did it fix it??

 

[LKN Regal]

Hi Everyone! I'm new to the forum and am at my wits end.. I bought my Regal about 18 months ago brand new. I had and am still having same issue with shuttering... my '17 AWD Turbo had 22k on it when it started and dealer kept putting me off claiming short staffed. Dealer finally took it in last week to do the reprogramming. He then found the TSB on the issue (after I asked him about some issues my son, a mechanic at BMW, wondered about) .. Replaced the valve body, upper and lower and the shift adapts pressures were reset... He then told me it could take 1000 to 3000 km before it re-learnt my driving habits.. Less then 100 km later it has started again... Doesnt matter the speed and even when decelerating coming to stop sign or light.. Some of the "shutters" are scary..... Was your issue corrected by the same "fix"? And did it fix it??

The dealer figured out that my issue was a bad torque converter. They fixed it under power train warranty and gave me a loaner. BTW, my trans is the 6speed auto which the dealer was surprised I had any issues at all. The 8speed trans is a problem child.

 

[LinMik]

The dealer figured out that my issue was a bad torque converter. They fixed it under power train warranty and gave me a loaner. BTW, my trans is the 6speed auto which the dealer was surprised I had any issues at all. The 8speed trans is a problem child.

Glad they figured your problem out. I went to work Monday and the car was horrible all the way (only 14 km away) . Got there and parked and went to straighten up and had no reverse... Called dealer and was told to call Roadside Assistance.. Tow company had to push it to get it out of parking spot since its very tight behind the building.. Went to drive it to flatbed and gears let go... Tech tore it down and 1-4 gears and reverse totally gone... New tranny on its way from Michigan... I'll have to mention torque converter once they call to say tranny arrived.. I'm hoping its the end of my trouble... Thanks for input!

 

[LKN Regal]

Wow that's pretty bad that the whole trans went. I wonder if the torque converter was the cause. Maybe it caused the fluid to overheat and break down. I took mine in when it first started to shudder and the shudder was very faint and only noticeable once or twice during a 25 Mile drive and only lasted for up to 5 seconds per episode. Glad your dealer is giving you a new tranny. I would make sure to push for a new converter as well.

Glad they figured your problem out. I went to work Monday and the car was horrible all the way (only 14 km away) . Got there and parked and went to straighten up and had no reverse... Called dealer and was told to call Roadside Assistance.. Tow company had to push it to get it out of parking spot since its very tight behind the building.. Went to drive it to flatbed and gears let go... Tech tore it down and 1-4 gears and reverse totally gone... New tranny on its way from Michigan... I'll have to mention torque converter once they call to say tranny arrived.. I'm hoping its the end of my trouble... Thanks for input!

 

[LinMik]

I tried getting it in in December when it was started but they were too short staffed to even go for a drive with me. When I finally got an appointment, the car won't do it during a 10 minute drive so sent me on my way. Next day it was doing so took the service rep out so he could witness it. I told him to figure out what needed to be done to fix it and call me to get it in but didnt hear back ill I called them when it was real bad. Thats when he said the reprogram thing but once they had it they did the valve body thing. I'm wondering now if the torque converter was the cause all along and they didn't investigate far enough ...

 

[akfrankenstien]

I have a 2016 AWD Turbo that gave me the same issues at around 39k. Dealer replaced torque converter and now it drives great again.

 

[nlacomb]

This all sounds too real. I’ve had the same issues as you all in my 16’ AWD 6 speed. I had the transmission valve body replace and still have issues.