DISCLAIMER - The content of this thread is entirely the opinion of those individuals posting in it and in no way should be considered to be endorsed by AcadiaForum.net or its owners and administrators.[/color]
Owners of 2007, 2008 and early build 2009 Acadias (and any other Lambda model), you should strongly consider preemptively replacing the 3-5-R wave plate in your transmission before it fails and destroys your transmission. This is a $600-700 repair vs. a $3,500+ repair bill if it fails.
Background: The 3-5-R wave plate is a "waved" ring that acts like a flat spring and looks like this:
![Image]()
Most 2007, 2008 and early build 2009 models (not calendar years) were built with a 3-5-R wave plate that was improperly heat treated and more brittle than it should be. This clutch plate gets compressed during shifts and after so many shift cycles is prone to break, like this:
![Image]()
When it breaks you may or may not notice it and it may or may not set a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) or CEL (Check Engine Light). Some of the symptoms are no reverse gear, harsh shifting into 3rd or 5th gear, or no shifting into 3rd gear. Continuing to drive your vehicle after this plate breaks will result in the plate breaking into smaller and smaller pieces. These pieces will be transported throughout the transmission by the fluid, could plug the filter, and will likely damage other components. This will result in a failed transmission and a hefty repair bill. Replacing the wave plate before it fails is the only way this can be prevented. The wave plate will not fail at a certain mileage, as it is dependent on the number of shift cycles the transmission goes through. We've seen failures as early as 40,000 miles (65,000 km) to as many as 110,000 miles (177,000 km). Also, if the transmission is repaired instead of replaced with a new or remanufactured unit, pieces of the wave plate can remain in the transmission and do further damage if it is not properly and completely cleaned, resulting in the failure of other components and another repair bill.
Most of the affected vehicles are now outside of the 5 yr / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, so there is no obligation on GM's part to warranty or contribute assistance to the cost of the repair. If you are the original owner of the vehicle or bought the vehicle with a GM CPO warranty, GM has provided partial out-of-warranty assistance, but it has been on a case-by-case basis.
There are many, many threads on AcadiaForum.net discussing this situation and the experiences of Acadia owners. Please read them and strongly consider this preemptive service to prevent yourself from being stranded somewhere and stuck with a more expensive repair down the road. According to GM's TSB for the wave plate failure (#09-07-30-012F: No Reverse, 3rd or 5th, Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0776 (Replace 3-5 Reverse Clutch Plate (Waved) - (Sep 26, 2012)), the part number for the new wave plate is P/N 24254103 - PLATE, 3-5 REV CLU (WAVED). Check with your dealer to be sure.
Owners of 2007, 2008 and early build 2009 Acadias (and any other Lambda model), you should strongly consider preemptively replacing the 3-5-R wave plate in your transmission before it fails and destroys your transmission. This is a $600-700 repair vs. a $3,500+ repair bill if it fails.
Background: The 3-5-R wave plate is a "waved" ring that acts like a flat spring and looks like this:
Most 2007, 2008 and early build 2009 models (not calendar years) were built with a 3-5-R wave plate that was improperly heat treated and more brittle than it should be. This clutch plate gets compressed during shifts and after so many shift cycles is prone to break, like this:
When it breaks you may or may not notice it and it may or may not set a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) or CEL (Check Engine Light). Some of the symptoms are no reverse gear, harsh shifting into 3rd or 5th gear, or no shifting into 3rd gear. Continuing to drive your vehicle after this plate breaks will result in the plate breaking into smaller and smaller pieces. These pieces will be transported throughout the transmission by the fluid, could plug the filter, and will likely damage other components. This will result in a failed transmission and a hefty repair bill. Replacing the wave plate before it fails is the only way this can be prevented. The wave plate will not fail at a certain mileage, as it is dependent on the number of shift cycles the transmission goes through. We've seen failures as early as 40,000 miles (65,000 km) to as many as 110,000 miles (177,000 km). Also, if the transmission is repaired instead of replaced with a new or remanufactured unit, pieces of the wave plate can remain in the transmission and do further damage if it is not properly and completely cleaned, resulting in the failure of other components and another repair bill.
Most of the affected vehicles are now outside of the 5 yr / 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, so there is no obligation on GM's part to warranty or contribute assistance to the cost of the repair. If you are the original owner of the vehicle or bought the vehicle with a GM CPO warranty, GM has provided partial out-of-warranty assistance, but it has been on a case-by-case basis.
There are many, many threads on AcadiaForum.net discussing this situation and the experiences of Acadia owners. Please read them and strongly consider this preemptive service to prevent yourself from being stranded somewhere and stuck with a more expensive repair down the road. According to GM's TSB for the wave plate failure (#09-07-30-012F: No Reverse, 3rd or 5th, Check Engine Light Illuminated, DTC P0776 (Replace 3-5 Reverse Clutch Plate (Waved) - (Sep 26, 2012)), the part number for the new wave plate is P/N 24254103 - PLATE, 3-5 REV CLU (WAVED). Check with your dealer to be sure.
I'm just a regular joe/volunteer here with a regular job, so it may take awhile for me to reply to requests. Also, I'm rarely around here on the weekends.
