Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 10 | 34% | 42,000 miles |
| 2024 | 36 | 25% | 54,000 miles |
| 2023 | 17 | 36% | 83,000 miles |
| 2022 | 19 | 20% | 100,000 miles |
| 2021 | 30 | 34% | 100,000 miles |
| 2020 | 33 | 31% | 81,000 miles |
| 2019 | 9 | 12% | 3,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 11% | 28,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 17% | 17,000 miles |
| 2016 | 18 | 15% | 66,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 11% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 13% | 99,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 8% | 170,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 9% | 12,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 10% | 61,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% | 125,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% | 41,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 7% | 54,000 miles |
| 2007 | 21 | 10% | 51,000 miles |
| 2006 | 32 | 18% | 42,000 miles |
| 2005 | 21 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 4% | 97,000 miles |
| 2003 | 30 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 12 | 3% | 92,000 miles |
| 2001 | 26 | 7% | 75,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% | 142,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 2% | — |
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 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while her husband was hauling a trailer and driving 55 MPH in the snow, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal before slamming into gear. The RPM fluctuated up to 6,500 RPM. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact's husband was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off but failed to restart. The contact's husband stepped out of the vehicle, and the vehicle restarted automatically. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring was for a diesel vehicle; however, the contact's vehicle was gasoline operated. …
While driving at a speed of around 40 mph on a paved city street in Bozeman, MT, I heard and felt a Super loud clunk in my Chevy engine transmission or drive train.. I immediately stopped to see if something ran into the vehicle. No apparent visual damage of any kind. It felt and sounded like like something jammed within the transmission or drive train. The truck has less than 12k miles and has been babied so far. I love the truck. Oil level is normal and nothing leaking underneath..I took it immediately to Billion GMC in Bozeman. They found nothing wrong however the service manager recounted this regarding another customer who described the exact same issue with the same year vehicle and same transmission: Another GMC owner experienced the same symptom before the transmission seized at highway speed and locked the wheels. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. During the failure, the transmission became stuck in 5th gear, and the vehicle operated at reduced speeds. The vehicle was turned off but failed to immediately restart. After approximately 15 minutes, the vehicle restarted, and the failure was self-corrected. The failures had occurred while hauling a heavy load and while not carrying a load. The message "Decreased Acceleration" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The transmission fluid was flushed and refilled, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with an audible chime, and several undisclosed messages displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle was turned off, and the battery terminals were disconnected for several minutes before being reconnected. The vehicle resumed to normal functionality and the warning lights independently turned off after driving for a while. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered several diagnostic trouble codes associated with the transmission control module. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 60-70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo coolant inlet had fractured. The part was replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that the transmission was in working order upon inspection; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the light failed to turn off. While driving 45 MPH hauling a trailer, the vehicle failed to operate as needed and the transmission was making an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle then went into SAFE Mode and failed to exceed 35 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim for the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began making screeching and clunking noises. The instrument panel displayed that the vehicle was shifting from 2WD to 4WD. The contact stated that after arriving at his destination and parking the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the front differential had separated; however, it would be an extensive amount of time before the part would be available to repair the vehicle due to the part being on backorder. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. The contact stated that in addition to the front differential failure, the transfer case was also damaged. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle surged, and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the vehicle, the contact observed fluid leaking from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the front differential. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred once before, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 38,000. The contact stated his Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD diesel HAS been repaired. They replaced, again, the faulty front differential and also discovered the transfer case fluid was black indicating it was ready to fail again. …
Related recalls (3)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a…
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2024 (36), 2020 (33), 2006 (32), 2003 (30) and 2021 (30) model years. Transmission complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2024.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 2500 transmission problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-083 (software, Feb 12, 2026); 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024); 20V-650 (driveshaft, Oct 22, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 2500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (63 mentions), followed by the transfer case (4-wheel drive) (14).
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.