GMC Sierra - BUYER BEWARE --> Service Parking Brake = Failed Lifters, Bent/Broken Pushrods, Catastrophic Damage to Engine

I purchased a brand new 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 at Randy Marion Buick GMC Truck in Huntersville NC on March 19th 2021.

Barely 6 months and 8000 miles later, on October 4th 2021, my nightmare began.

For those interested, who might be thinking of or who might have already purchased a GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, etc, I will give both the reader's digest version and a detailed account of my experience.  I will preface these accounts by admitting that I'm not the most savvy/knowledgeable in the automotive field out there (but I like like to think that I take decent notes):

Readers Digest:

• 10/4/21
• 'Service Parking Brake' message on my display.  Electric parking brake would not disengage.
• Had to contact GMC Roadside Assistance to tow my truck to Randy Marion via flatbed.
• 10/7/21 - Dealership called:
• "Going to have to take the engine apart....  Engine making god-awful noise"
• "Bad batch of lifters on the '21s.  When they fail, pushrods bend and can break"  
• Estimated 3 weeks to replace lifters, pushrods, gaskets and seals.
• 10/9/21 - I opened a case with GMC Customer Assistance (recommended)
• 10/14/21 - Dealership called:
• "Got in there and there is significant damage to the engine."
• "Rather than try patch everything up, GMC has authorized a new engine"
• 11/1/21 - Engine replaced / repair completed.

Summary:  Catastrophic Issue - 28 days to fix my brand new six-month old truck w/ 8000 miles.  Safety Issue - And from other Internet posts that I've read, I would surmise the 'Service Parking Brake' message is actually a symptom of the lifters failing or a pending failure and thus a failsafe GMC implemented in hopes to minimize damage when/if this occurs.  

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Detailed Account Of the Issue and My Experience with GMC and Randy Marion:

Dates in blue - calls that I initiated

·         Mon Oct 4 - 'Service Parking Brake' message - Electric parking brake would not disengage.  Ultimately had to have Roadside Assistance (RA) to my truck to the dealership, Randy Marion of Huntersville (RM)

·         Tue Oct 5 - Contacted dealership.   Return call from Hector, my advisor at RM - just figured out what the problem was.  Worked w GM Technical Assistance to narrow it down to the Parking Brake Control Module.  Part ordered - may come in Thurs or Friday.

·         Thu Oct 7 - Call from Hector (RM). 

o    "Something going on inside the engine / was letting it run and the engine let go.  Going to have to take the engine apart"

o    "Bad batch of lifters in the 21s.  Have seen it on GMCs w 800 miles, have seen it on GMCs w 20,000 miles"

o    "Lifters push oil up through system via push rods to lubricate the engine.  When lifters fail, the push rods bend and potentially break.  Could be further damage to the engine.  Engine is making a god-awful noise"

o    "May take up to three weeks to get new lifters, push rods, gaskets and seals.  Working on finding you a vehicle to drive.  Low loaner population given chip shortage, low supply of new cars."

·         Fri Oct 8 - Call from Hector (RM).  Have a loaner car for me.   Can pick it up before 5p today or early Saturday morning if unable to make it in time.

·         Sat Oct 9 - Picked up loaner, Buick Encore, from Andrew (RM).  

·         Sat Oct 9 - contacted GMC Customer Assistance (CA) and opened a case.   Was told an advisor would be in contact with me by the following Tues Oct 12th

·         Tue Oct 12 - received call from Emily, advisor from GMC CA.

o    "Spoke to Hector at RM.  Hopeful that you will have your truck back by end of week"

o    Informed her that I was looking for further protection and compensation

o    "I understand.   Let's plan to discuss further once the repairs are completed"

o    "I will be in contact again within 4 business days.  In the meantime, if you need to reach me, you can call 866.790.5600 - EXT 5916131"

·         Thu Oct 14 - Call from Hector (RM) - "got in there and there was more damage to the engine.  Rather than try to patch everything up, GMC has authorized a new engine.  Best case you'll get it back next Friday" (Oct 22)

·         Tue Oct 19 - Call from Emily (GMC CA) to follow-up.  Provided the same update as Hector did previous Thursday.  Stated again that we would discuss protection / compensation following completion of the repairs

·         Thu Oct 21 - Left a VM w Hector (RM) requesting an update.  Did not receive a return call.

·         Mon Oct 25 - Call from Emily (GMC CA) to follow-up.   Spoke to dealership - may get the engine in by end of week.  No timetable on when repair will be complete.

o    Conveyed that it's been close to 1 month now since this nightmare began and that my patience is starting to wear thin.  Also stated that I've taken the high road the entire time.  And I'm ready for a conclusion.

o    Secondly, conveyed that I'm frustrated that I called the dealership on Thurs Oct 21st and have not heard back. (11 days since I've heard from RM)  And that I appreciate the communication from Emily

o    Lastly, was transparent that I did reach out to an attorney friend of mine for advice. Conveyed that I don't want to go there (as I know it's a lose lose for all parties)

·         Thur Oct 28 - spoke to Hector - 14 days since my last communication

o    'Calling to get an update on my truck'. 

o    Hector said he would know more in 10-15 min if the 'part' was coming in?   Confirmed he would give me a call back around 10a with an update.  Called back at 11a and said engine was scheduled to come in - if so, thought repair would be completed by Monday 11/1

·         Mon Nov 1st - received call from Hector - repair completed / can come pick it up after 2p.  3p I picked up truck.  Fueled and returned the loaner first (less than 100 miles driven) 

·         Fri Nov 5th - left voicemail with Emily (GMC CA).  Did not receive a return call.

          Mon Nov 8th - left voicemail with Emily (GMC CA).  Did not receive a return call.

                                       Tues Nov 9th - left voicemail with Emily (GMC CA).  Did not receive a return call. 

Summary:  Catastrophic Issue - 28 days to fix my six-month old truck w/ 8000 miles.  Safety Issue - And from other Internet posts that I've read, I would surmise the 'Service Parking Brake' message is actually a symptom of the lifters failing or a pending failure and thus a failsafe GMC implemented in hopes to minimize damage when/if this occurs.  

Additionally I've been extremely patient as indicated by the few number of calls (4) that I initiated from the time this all started until the repair was completed.  As both Hector and Emily can attest, I never once raised my voice nor said anything offensive or otherwise ugly.

In conclusion, I'm overjoyed to have my truck again.  While I'm hopeful that I will not have any further problems, I unfortunately will always have doubt lingering in the back of my mind.   I'm very frustrated that I have not heard from Emily/GMC CA since 10/25, 16 days since our last communication (at the time this blog was published) and 9 days since the repair was completed.... after hearing from her roughly every 4-5 business days from the time I first opened the case.