2023 GMC Sierra 2500

On Saturday, XXX, at around 3:00 PM, my wife and I were traveling southbound on Interstate XXX toward [XXX] (this occurred in [XXX], just north of [XXX]). We were driving our 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup while towing our 36-foot 5th wheel trailer. I was traveling at approximately 60 miles per hour, and there was heavy traffic on the highway. Just north of Highway XXX, the passenger rear tire delaminated and went flat. The tread came off the tire, striking the wheel well, rear bumper, and tailgate of my truck, causing significant damage. It also hit the front panel of my 5th wheel trailer. The tread then flew off and struck the windshield of a vehicle traveling next to us, but fortunately, there was no damage to that vehicle. I stopped at a Discount Tire store, where the manager inspected the tire and concluded that it had delaminated, likely due to a defect in the tire. There were no warning signs before the tire failed. Before driving that day, I checked the tire pressure on all tires. According to the information on the tire sidewalls, the rear tires were set to 80 PSI before I started my trip. The tire in question was an [XXX] Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT with DOT#[XXX]. I have contacted Goodyear Tire, and they have since picked up the tire for inspection in their lab. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving at highway speed, the left rear OEM Goodyear Wrangler 275/65R20 tire experienced a sudden tread separation and catastrophic failure. The tire pressure was correct, there were no TPMS warnings or other vehicle alerts, and the vehicle did not strike any road debris or other object prior to the failure. The truck was purchased new in December 2022 and has approximately 14,500 miles. The tread separation caused extensive damage to the truck, including the bedside, bumper, taillight, wheel opening trim, and other components. The body shop repairing the vehicle advised that they have seen numerous similar failures, and I have also found multiple reports from other owners of the same OEM Goodyear Wrangler 275/65R20 tires experiencing tread separations. I am reporting this incident due to concerns about a potential defect in these tires.

These tires are not safe for off-road to highway use. After transitioning to the highway from a gravel driveway, I noticed that rocks were stuck in the treads. A significant about of rocks became dislodged and start to contact my vehicles underbody steps. I feel as if this can create significant and costly problems for the vehicles that are following close or perhaps behind in any manner. Large rocks and what I would classify as mini boulders are often found lodged in the tread and don't come out till they are picked out or fly out.

On XXX, I was towing my camper to Copper Center, Alaska from Palmer, Alaska when my truck experienced a full transmission shut down which put the truck into "Reduced Power Mode". We descending down the road right next to Victory Bible Camp (64741 Victory Rd, Sutton-Alpine, Ak 99674) when the exhaust break turned off and the truck decreased power and the Check Engine Light illuminated. The Diagnostic that was produced by OnStar revealed 3 different codes. ( P0700 TCM, P0747 Pressure Control Solenoid A is stuck in the "ON" position, C116b faulty brake pad wear sensor.) I called GMC of Palmer and GMC OnStar advisor, both informed me that the truck needed to be towed. My safety concerns is this.... I had minimum cell phone signal and not a gas station or service station within MILES. I was on the side of the Alaska Highway 1 which is a major thoroughfare for traffic going to and from [XXX]. Thankfully there were a few kind folks that pulled over to offer assistance. My truck is a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500hd with only 26,262 Miles on it. I purchased this vehicle XXX. (It Still has the Temporary Tags on it.) If had been in a different part of Alaska when this transmission failed to function properly then we could be talking about a life or death situation. Especially, if my child was with me. I was hauling my camper that weighed ATMOST, 7,000 pounds. This is less than 40% of the trucks ability. I feel that this could put someone into a dire situation had they not had the experience with emergency situations like I have had. (Prior Military Service). I have also filed a complaint with GMC Motors. Case# XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions, after the vehicle had been parked for approximately two days, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jump-started and taken to a dealer three times, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 33,000.

Summary of Issue On [XXX], my family and I departed Kansas City, Missouri, for a camping trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Cades Cove), Tennessee, approximately 800 miles away. We were towing a 2020 Forest River Salem FSX/RTX travel trailer, estimated at approximately 6,000 pounds loaded, using a Reese weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control. This load was well below the rated towing capacity of the vehicle. On [XXX], while driving without the trailer attached, the vehicle displayed multiple warnings including “Reduced Engine Power” and a transmission system alert. I immediately pulled over, shut the vehicle off, and restarted it. The warnings persisted. I cautiously drove approximately five miles to Twin City GMC, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed transmission valve body. Dealer and Manufacturer Response The service manager at Twin City GMC informed me that the required valve body was on national backorder, with multiple vehicles ahead of mine, and that wait times had reached up to three months. To confirm, I contacted Molle Chevrolet (Blue Springs, MO) and Randy Curnow GMC (Kansas City, KS). Both dealerships independently confirmed that this was a known and recurring issue, and that extended backorders for the valve body were common. I was informed that GMC could provide a daily rental allowance, but the rental vehicle would not permit towing. With my family, three dogs, and travel trailer stranded 800 miles from home, this option was not viable. As a result, I was effectively forced to trade in my truck and purchase a replacement vehicle to safely return home. Manufacturer Awareness and Complaint History GMC has demonstrated awareness of this issue through service bulletins, widespread owner reports, and media documentation addressing transmission valve body failures and parts shortages. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission valve body rod had failed. The valve body rod was replaced. It was unknown whether the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,546.