01 trans, etc.

Owned a 91 Regal, nice car but lacked a couple of items I like (leather seats, automatic temperature control, drivers side air bag) and had 93,000 miles on it. Thought I would get something a little nicer with fewer miles, and JD Powers rates them high in dependability, so I went with a nice looking 2001 with 61,000 miles on the 4th of this month.
Had it a few days, shut the driver's door, and the power window lockout switch fell on the floor. Good start, have one ordered and found out from this forum how to replace it easily. Thanks.
Transmission would not go into overdrive or converter lockup. Took it back to the dealer I bought it from, and they ordered in a rebuilt trans from GM. They put it in yesterday and we picked it up last night. My wife drove it home, I asked her how it drove, and she said it seemed sluggish. I took it for a drive and found it was starting from a stop in 2nd gear. By the time I drove it far enough to see if the overdrive and lockup worked (they did) the Trac Off light came on and wouldn't turn off, even after I turned off the engine. Had to go to a funeral this morning, so we started out. The Trac Off light was out, still starting in 2nd, but two miles from home the engine died when I went to pull away from a traffic light. Restarted okay, but the Service Engine Soon light came on. It was sprinkling and I had the wipers on, about then the blade fell off the right one. Died several times before we got to our daughter's house 5 miles away, where we left it and rode with her. Called the dealer and took it in after the funeral. Ran fine on the way there, no more stalling, but still starting in 2nd, also erratic releasing the converter clutch, shuddering at 1,000 RPMs on acceleration, SES light still on. Service manager called a little while ago and said the transmission was trashed, oil black and debris in it. They ordered another one which they expect to have installed Monday or Tuesday. I am starting to get a really bad feeling about this beast. Should it be painted lemon yellow?
I was a mechanic from 1960 until 1975, when I reformed. ;) I never really believed in lemon cars, but I have surely met lemon mechanics and rebuilders. I used to fix a lot of their mistakes. Is that what I am dealing with here, or is the trans really such a poor design that it will never be reliable?

Owned a 91 Regal, nice car but lacked a couple of items I like (leather seats, automatic temperature control, drivers side air bag) and had 93,000 miles on it. Thought I would get something a little nicer with fewer miles, and JD Powers rates them high in dependability, so I went with a nice looking 2001 with 61,000 miles on the 4th of this month.
Had it a few days, shut the driver's door, and the power window lockout switch fell on the floor. Good start, have one ordered and found out from this forum how to replace it easily. Thanks.
Transmission would not go into overdrive or converter lockup. Took it back to the dealer I bought it from, and they ordered in a rebuilt trans from GM. They put it in yesterday and we picked it up last night. My wife drove it home, I asked her how it drove, and she said it seemed sluggish. I took it for a drive and found it was starting from a stop in 2nd gear. By the time I drove it far enough to see if the overdrive and lockup worked (they did) the Trac Off light came on and wouldn't turn off, even after I turned off the engine. Had to go to a funeral this morning, so we started out. The Trac Off light was out, still starting in 2nd, but two miles from home the engine died when I went to pull away from a traffic light. Restarted okay, but the Service Engine Soon light came on. It was sprinkling and I had the wipers on, about then the blade fell off the right one. Died several times before we got to our daughter's house 5 miles away, where we left it and rode with her. Called the dealer and took it in after the funeral. Ran fine on the way there, no more stalling, but still starting in 2nd, also erratic releasing the converter clutch, shuddering at 1,000 RPMs on acceleration, SES light still on. Service manager called a little while ago and said the transmission was trashed, oil black and debris in it. They ordered another one which they expect to have installed Monday or Tuesday. I am starting to get a really bad feeling about this beast. Should it be painted lemon yellow?
I was a mechanic from 1960 until 1975, when I reformed. ;) I never really believed in lemon cars, but I have surely met lemon mechanics and rebuilders. I used to fix a lot of their mistakes. Is that what I am dealing with here, or is the trans really such a poor design that it will never be reliable?


I've got two GM W bodies, a '01 Regal GS and '99 LS. The '01 has been totally trouble free. Bought the '99 LS with 30K miles and didn't have any tranny problems until 92K. The 4T65-E appears to be reliable but does have its fair share of problems. However, I would think twice about getting a used with some high mileage and unknown history.

I believe that GM does have quality issues on many models and thats why many are switching over to rice-burners. Recent sales have been dismal and now there is talk that GM may discontinue the Buick or Pontiac product lines taking the same path as Oldsmobile.

I've got two GM W bodies, a '01 Regal GS and '99 LS. The '01 has been totally trouble free. Bought the '99 LS with 30K miles and didn't have any tranny problems until 92K. The 4T65-E appears to be reliable but does have its fair share of problems. However, I would think twice about getting a used with some high mileage and unknown history.

I believe that GM does have quality issues on many models and thats why many are switching over to rice-burners. Recent sales have been dismal and now there is talk that GM may discontinue the Buick or Pontiac product lines taking the same path as Oldsmobile.

Thanks for the input. I actually would have preferred a Toyota, but I didn't feel I could afford it. I planned to keep this car 2 or 3 years, but I may move that schedule up. This is going to have to be a really great car to keep me from going rice-burner next time.

Thanks for the input. I actually would have preferred a Toyota, but I didn't feel I could afford it. I planned to keep this car 2 or 3 years, but I may move that schedule up. This is going to have to be a really great car to keep me from going rice-burner next time.
Update:
I finally got the car back with another SERTA rebuilt trans yesterday. It is performing perfectly now, up and down shifts at proper speeds with no slipping, hesitation, or other problems. AutoTap scanner shows no parameters abnormal at all.
They also replaced the wiper blades at no cost. Based on my experience so far, I will definately put Jerry Seiner Salt Lake on my short list next time I buy a car.Thanks, M.S. for you help.