Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2020 | 9 | 53% | 100,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 50% | 140,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 36% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 7% | 88,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 7% | 7,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 25% | 109,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% | 15,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% | 30,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 21% | 40,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% | 64,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 17% | 41,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% | 3,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 10% | 37,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% | 57,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 7% | 11,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% | 64,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 10% | 47,000 miles |
| 1997 | 6 | 21% | 79,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 7% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and was shuddering while driving on the highway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted; however, the failure reoccurred shortly afterwards while driving at 15 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then driven to a dealer, where the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V839000 (POWER TRAIN); and associated the issue with the recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power and shuddered abnormally, causing the vehicle to decelerate to 40 MPH. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted; however, the failure persisted. The failure recurred while driving at 40 MPH on several occasions. An independent mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V839000 (POWER TRAIN); and refused to provide a diagnosis without a visible fractured part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,753.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Express 2500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate after a stop. The vehicle failed to shift into reverse but continued to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped with the transmission in reverse(R), the vehicle moved forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 4,783.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that the gear shifter would shake when shifting gears. Over time, the shifter cable fractured without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where he was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact disputed the diagnosis and notified the manufacturer of the failure. The manufacturer initially agreed to repair the gear shifter under warranty; however, they later informed him that they would only cover 10% of the cost for the repair. The contact was provided with a case number. The contact then had the vehicle towed to Ourisman Chevrolet Buick GMC of Alexandria (1800 Old Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303) where he was charged for the repair to the shifter cable. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The transmission started to fail at around 65k miles. There were no warning signs, it just began shifting hard and then began slipping. It was taken to a transmission shop and the fluids were replaced, but this did not change anything. It was at this time we were told the transmission would need to be replaced, but they had no means to obtain a replacement. It has been over two years since the problems started and the transmission is still in the vehicle and we drive it daily. It continues to slip going up through the gears and progressively gets worse during the day. By the end of the day you cannot pull out in front of anyone for fear of it slipping and not grabbing the next gear. This is an obvious danger to us and other drivers around us. The problem has been evaluated by the Chevrolet dealer and two other independent shops. The fluids have been changed but this did not help. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Express. While driving and slowing down, the vehicle aggressively downshifted, the brake pedal independently depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact was concerned about the hard upshifts and downshifts of the transmission. When the engine was turned off and restarted after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to vera motors (300 s university dr., pembroke pines, fl 33025, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the fuel control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Express. While driving various speeds, the stabilitrack and traction control service warning indicators illuminated along with a beeping sound. In addition, the power reduce warning indicator illuminated and the engine power reduced. The vehicle idled very erratically. The contact had to restart the vehicle in order for it to operate normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Related recalls (4)
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
GM is recalling 151 my 2008 Chevrolet express and GMC savana vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD). Some of these vehicles have transfer cases that were manufactured with an incorrect part that can cause early failure of a drive chain.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transfer case date code and, if necessary, replace the transfer case. The recall began on August 15, 2008.
Power train › Automatic transmission
GM is recalling 2,481 my 2008 Chevrolet express and GMC savana g-cutaway fleet van equipped with a 6.0l (rpo ly6) v8 engine, 4l80e (rpo mt1) transmission, 4.10 (rpo gt5) axle and 75 MPH governor (rpo 9d7).
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the transmission and engine control modules free of charge. The recall began on or about July 30, 2008.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Certain vans were built with a transmission shift cable assembly that May separate. If the cable assembly separates, the transmission shift lever position and the transmission indicator May no longer correlate.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission shift cable assembly, and if necessary, replace it. The recall began on August 19, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Express years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (9), 1999 (7), 2002 (7), 1997 (6) and 2003 (6) model years. Transmission complaints make up 53% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Express transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 13V-001 (automatic transmission, Jan 2, 2013); 08V-340 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), Jul 28, 2008); 08V-313 (automatic transmission, Jul 11, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Express transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (16 mentions), followed by the axle assembly (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.