Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Transmission Problems

Owners have filed 127 complaints about transmission & drivetrain problems with the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 — 12% of all Silverado 3500 complaints. The worst model years are 2020 (16), 2024 (15) and 2023 (10). Problems typically start around 66,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

127complaints
2020worst year
66ktypical miles
2related recalls
5crashes
2fires

Transmission complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’266535234149351553225167310153
Transmission complaints per model year, Chevrolet Silverado 3500.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2025325%—
20241529%—
20231063%9,000 miles
2022311%121,000 miles
2021717%146,000 miles
20201638%40,000 miles
2019523%1,000 miles
2018211%—
2017215%58,000 miles
201636%13,000 miles
2015510%96,000 miles
2013519%137,000 miles
201214%29,000 miles
2011517%112,000 miles
200738%41,000 miles
2006917%51,000 miles
200549%78,000 miles
200412%59,000 miles
2003410%83,000 miles
200236%50,000 miles
200123%112,000 miles
200056%117,000 miles
199936%52,000 miles
199857%—
1997610%30,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Automatic transmission
    15
  • Axle assembly
    5
  • Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
    4
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    4
  • Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    3
  • Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
    3
  • Clutch assembly
    2
  • Manual transmission
    2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1224%
  • 25k–50k
    1122%
  • 50k–75k
    1122%
  • 75k–100k
    510%
  • 100k–150k
    918%
  • 150k+
    24%

What owners report

The vehicle was driven to a job site in Gowanda NY. The computer indicated it neede to clean the exhaust filter. The truck was parked in an open area on a blacktop parking area. The truck finished a Regen approximately 30 minutes later. The vehicle was shut down and left unattended. Approx 30 minutes later, the driver, heard noises, came around a structure and saw the vehicle was on fire. The driver did attempt to use a fire extinguisher to no avail. They then called 911 and the fire department was dispatched. The department put out the fire but the vehicle is a total loss. As this was a work site, the vehicle was towed to our shop and stored inside. The inland marine insurance company hired a fire investigator, and they looked at the vehicle. They determined the fire originated on the lower firewall in the engine compartment. …

2025 Silverado 3500 · Jan 2026 · fire

We were pulling a 5th wheel camper on the highway at 62 mph. We experienced a series of sudden breaking sensations. Engine RPMs did not change during these events. We had been traveling for 45 minutes and decided to cancel our camping trip and return home because we were afraid of getting stranded away from home. The sensation felt like a sudden strong application of the rear brakes. It was very momentary. We turn around and shifted the transmission to "L" which limits the highest gear to 7. We did not have any more incidents. When we were close to home we shifted back to drive and the problem returned. We were concerned with a complete loss of control or motion if the problem got worse. We have an appointment to have the truck looked at next week. There were/are no diagnostics codes visible on the dash.

2025 Silverado 3500 · Jun 2026

moved the truck on to the lawn and put it in park turned truck off. got out of the truck and went into the garage and 5 min later came out and saw the truck started to roll and went 50 ft and hit a tree.

2024 Silverado 3500 · Jun 2026 · crash

I was towing my 36 ft 5th wheel home from my storage place when the engine stopped. I had no brakes or power steering. I was coming up to a stop sign when this occurred so fortunately I was only moving about 15 mph. I was able to stop the truck and trailer by using the 5th wheel braking system without any damage to vehicle or other property. Once I regained my composure I tried to start the truck. All the dash lights were on but it would not start. The digital display kept showing Service ECM & Service StabiliTrak. I had the truck towed to the dealer where it is right now. They have been unable to replicate the issue and have no suggested fix at this time. I had no prior warning messages or symptoms of the problem. All of this happened Sunday April 5, 2024. The truck is a 2024 and I bought it new, picked it up November 30, 2023. Current mileage is 3,523. …

2024 Silverado 3500 · Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the foot was removed from the accelerator pedal while slowing for a traffic signal and the rear tires locked up as the vehicle was downshifting. The contact stated that it felt as if the brake pedal had been depressed. The contact stated that the rear tires made an abnormal screeching sound. The contact stated that the tires started rolling, but the wheels then locked up. The contact stated that several warnings illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that failure reoccurred. …

2023 Silverado 3500 · 9,000 miles · Oct 2023

Vehicle went into limp mode (max 3rd gear and about 45mph) while entering the interstate pulling a 30' 5th wheel camper. Luckily was in a construction zone so the speed limits was posted at 55 so no one took me out. Got off the next offramp and took vehicle to Chevy dealership and they said a Control Solenoid Valve Body in the transmission failed. All parts on nationwide backorder with no approximation of updated part. Looked into this online and it looks like it's been an issue for 4 years plus

2023 Silverado 3500 · Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While at a stoplight the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle failed to drive forward or reverse. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was reversed into a nearby service station. The vehicle was later towed to the local auto repair shop, which replaced the brake actuator and the brake pads. Shortly after retrieving the vehicle, the failure had reoccurred, and the brakes seized. The vehicle was towed to a local transmission service center. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 121,000.

2022 Silverado 3500 · 121,000 miles · Mar 2026

My 2022 Chevy Silverado has been to 4 different GMC/Chevrolet Dealerships since August 2024 and is currently broken down in Indiana at Sauers Buick GMC Although, it has been to 4 different dealerships to confirm there is a Faulty Part of the Transmission, Part # 24048701 A Body Control Valve, i have been on the waiting List since August 2024 for this part at 4 different dealers ships Some days it drives fine, and others it will flash a message that it is in Reduced Power Mode and it will not shift properly at this point There is no parts available, so i have continued to drive my truck since i am making payments on it. It Broke down and would not shift into Gear on October 31, 2024 in Indiana. At that point It flashed an error message that the Transmission was Hot. …

2022 Silverado 3500 · Oct 2024

Related recalls (2)

Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software

NHTSA recall 26V-083 · Feb 12, 2026 · 1,055 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 24V-797 · Oct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles

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…

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years have transmission problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (16), 2024 (15), 2023 (10), 2006 (9) and 2021 (7) model years. Transmission complaints make up 38% of all complaints for the 2020.

Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado 3500 transmission problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 26V-083 (software, Feb 12, 2026); 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 3500 transmission problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the automatic transmission (15 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.