Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: Chevrolet, 2000 Silverado, while consumer was driving at 70 MPH the gear shifter went into reverse when it was nudged accidentally. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it went rear first into an embankment.
I am writing to seek some assistance with an inferior product produced by GM. I have a Chevy 2000 Silverado z71 pick up that has piston slap starting at around 15K miles and progressively worsened which the dealer states is normal wear. This expensive vehicle also has a rear end bang into drive and then reverse again the dealer states is normal. Recently I fixed a snapped cable for the drivers window which the same kind of cable was recalled for the tail gate cables. I have replaced recall items for the tail gate cables, drive shaft yolk and the ABS sensors to which it is still not functioning properly. All of which when presented to the dealer and the response was it is normal, until the recall occurred. …
Dt: about 3 or 4 moths ago, there was a light that came on in vehicle that said transmission fluid hot. This happened on the interstate. Also, there was a vehicle warning light that instructed driver to pull over and let vehicle idle. Owner took it to dealer, who reported that there was more than normal metal shavings in the transmission fluid pan, and that the clutch could be going out. Then, dealer changed fluid and filter, and instructed the owner that he could continue driving it until it absolutely had to be repaired. The owner continued driving the vehicle, and has hard shifting. Owner called the dealership, who reported that could be a symptom of the computer trying to compensate fort he transmission which was failing. Then on the 12th of July 2005 the message came on again transmission fluid hot. …
I noticed that the transfer case was leaking fliud. The truck was going in for a recall in the steerinng pump. So I asked the dealer to check where the leak was coming from. The dealer called me and told me that the transfer case had a small hole in it and it would be $1,200.00 to fix it. I brought the truck home and looked at the transfer case myself. The transfer case did have a small hole in it. I was going to put some jb weld on the hole for the time being. Until I could afford to have the transfer case fixed. When I touched the hole with my finger I noticed that the transfer case had really weak medal in that area like when it was made it was not made right. I have been talking to GM about the problem they are tring to decide if the transfer case failure is there fault or if the truck has been beat on. …
Transmission needs to be replaced. After highway driving, the transmission will not engage in 2nd or 3rd gear. No error message or warning appears. This nearly caused an accident when the transmission failed at an intersection. I bought the truck in July to assist w/rescues and cannot put the animals or myself at risk. Chevrolet is aware of this issue; the local Chevy dealership said they have seen it often; my personal mechanic has seen it often. Chevrolet asked me to take it to their dealership and have the diagnostics run. $90 and confirmation transmission needed. Now they want me to pay $2,500 to have a new transmission put in by their dealership, then discuss any reimbursement. This is a very dangerous "known" defect and Chevrolet does not guarantee the replacement transmission will not do the same. …
When taking off from a stopped position and coming to a stop there is a deep squeeking sound coming somewhere between the driveshaft and transmission. I was told by Chevy garage there was a fix for the extended cab version but not my regular cab truck. It will eventually take money to fix because anything that squeeks is rubbing and will eventually wear out. It was a problem when I reached 15,000 miles and is still a problem and loud aggrevation at 61000 miles. It is even bad enough that when I come to a redlight or a stop sign people think I am beeping my horn at them. It has been four years and 46000 miles later and there is no fix for the vehicle to my knowledge. …
I was driving home one night in my 2000 z71 when I noticed a banging sound coming from the rear. I thought it was the air compressor in the bed of the truck moving around. When I determined that was not the source of the sound, I took the truck to a friends garage where we lifted the rear and removed the rear-end housing cover. Upon inspection of the differential we noticed that the retention bolt had broken and the cross pin fell out. This in turn caused the spider gears to "explode." I purchased and installed a new differential, $500.00. I still have a "ticking" noise coming from the rear. I believe that is due to a missing tooth on the pinion gear caused by the cross pin. Now I have to order a new ring and pinion gear set, $300. 74,000 miles. 14,000 over warranty. I found out that this is a fairly common problem in these z71's.
Ltr fm audrey wissinger (pa) concerned about the problems she experienced with her 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. Both front/rear rotors had to be replaced. The old brake linings were replaced with new ones. The rotors were literally falling apart-inferior metal. Dealer stated this was the result of the vehicle not being driven enough. There was a terrible "kluncking" sound in the rear end or drive shaft. This happened in a downshift or upshift. The dealer stated it was normal play in the drivetrain. All four wheels had to be replaced at 6000 miles because they were rusted. Tailgate strap broke at 17000 miles. When the 4-wheel drive was engaged, it made a terrible growling that didn't seem normal.
Dt*: the contact stated the accelerator pedal sticks intermittently at no particular speed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership twice for repairs. However, they did not remedy the problem. Also, there was a problem with the power steering pump. The steering pump fractured which resulted in immediate loss of hydraulic power assist. The hydro-boost power braking was increased after the braking assist was depleted. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V005000, regarding the power steering pump. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for repairs.
While applying the brakes, the vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the front rotors rusted, and needed to be replaced. The brake problem was continuous front and back since 5958 miles. Chevrolet would not replace the brakes. The calipers were leaking, the security light had come on three times when the vehicle was in motion with the key, the reluctor ring/sensor was out of adjustment caused by rust, and the driveline made a clanking sound. GM had been made aware of the problems.
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Transmission complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, 8% of the model year's 1,305 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (51 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-005 (driveshaft, Jan 7, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.