Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 33 | 26% | 33,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% | 2,000 miles |
| 2014 | 37 | 30% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 11 | 17% | 4,000 miles |
| 2012 | 11 | 16% | 11,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 5% | 13,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 11% | 50,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% | 58,000 miles |
| 2007 | 21 | 11% | 40,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% | 46,000 miles |
| 2005 | 29 | 9% | 53,000 miles |
| 2004 | 49 | 8% | 13,000 miles |
| 2003 | 81 | 12% | 7,000 miles |
| 2002 | 70 | 10% | 46,000 miles |
| 2001 | 64 | 7% | 49,000 miles |
| 2000 | 103 | 8% | 59,000 miles |
| 1999 | 97 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 1998 | 14 | 5% | 66,000 miles |
| 1997 | 35 | 13% | 65,000 miles |
| 1996 | 22 | 12% | 58,000 miles |
| 1995 | 20 | 8% | 118,000 miles |
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 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle made grinding sounds. The contact pulled over on the side of the roadway. Upon inspection, the contact noticed flames coming from the rear differential, and the driveshaft had detached. The contact extinguished the flames with bottled water. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle had detached and the driveshaft had struck the transfer case. The contact was informed that the rear end and transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, there were rattling and vibrating sensations coming from the vehicle. In addition, when driving at low speeds there was a thumping noise emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the transmission needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired however the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who reprogrammed and drained the transmission fluid. The dealer informed the contact that when draining the transmission, metal shavings were discovered and that it was common. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a transmission auto body where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. …
October 31, 2014 on my home from work I heard a bang. The truck pulled very hard to the left taking me into the concrete barrier that divides the highway. Vehicle was in motion us highway 41/45 65 MPH. After the truck was investigated at the dealer to give an estimate on the damage it was discovered the left rear axel was broken. Questioning the dealer about this issue and not getting anywhere I talked to different mechanics that I know after a week or so it was discovered there was a recal for insuffcient heat treated rear axles talking to the dealer and I was told this did not pertain to my vehicle as the recall was taken care of at the factory. I cantacted Chevrolet and was told that because I had given the OK for the dealer to make the repairs. My insurance company would need to fole paper work against Chevrolet which myself I believe is wrong . …
Had been complaining since 2 days after purchase that transmission was shaking/shimmying/sputtering. Was pulling onto a county highway off of a residential type road (after picking up granddaughter from school - she was in truck) and truck bogged down & wouldn't go. Intersection is at top of hill and around a corner. Was clear when I started pulling out, but was almost hit by oncoming truck before I got my truck to get on across the intersection. Has been in shop twice to fix it. First time to double transmission flush. That didn't work. Next time a few weeks later, a technician hooked up a computer to my truck so he could manually shift gears while riding with me. He felt the issues and said he saw several problems. Dealership ended up replacing torque converter. Also replaced vlom manifold - whatever that is? That's what it says on work order. The problem still exists. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that after parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle rolled down a hill and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the gear shifted from park to neutral independently. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 14V374000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.
I was merging onto the highway and just about got up to speed and felt a vibration that within a few seconds got really intense then heard a pop and then several bangs. I thought a tire blew, so as I looked up in my rear view mirror to see if I was clear to get over to the shoulder, I saw my driveshaft cartwheeling about 8 ft. In the air as people behind me were scrambling to avoid from hitting it. Luckily the driveshaft didn't lift the back of the truck into the air, and more importantly it didn't go through someones windshield behind me! It turns out that the knuckle on the rear of the shaft had snapped, violently vibrated and the shaft dropped, ripped apart about a foot behind the transmission and came out from under the truck. The u-joint was still in the differential and a foot of driveshaft was still in the transmission. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving in first gear and taking the foot off the accelerator pedal to apply the brakes, the engine RPM's would not decrease and the throttle would not release for approximately 3-4 seconds. The failure caused abnormal forward movement from the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving in first gear and shifting into neutral, the engine RPM's increased by approximately 200 ripens before decreasing. The vehicle was diagnosed at the dealer but the cause of the defect could not be determined. The contact stated that a representative from the manufacturer came to the home and drove the vehicle. The representative experienced the defect while driving the vehicle but did not identify the cause of the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20. …
Since I purchased this truck in June 2013, I've had several occasions where when the truck sits without being used for several days, when I back out of my driveway and put the transmission in drive, the transmissions slips. The truck won't move for a second, the engine RPM's race and then when the transmission catches, it will actually squeal the tires. Then at times it will continue to do this for the first several times I stop at a light or stop sign. This doesn't seem to happen once the truck has been driven for a distance, and it doesn't happen everytime the truck is used. I've talked to the service manager at the dealership and he says they've not had any issues with other trucks. I'm actually going to pick up the service manager and have him with me when I start my truck today after it has set for four days. …
Related recalls (6)
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to November 25, 2014. Due to an improper heat-treatment, the rear axle shaft may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axles, and replace any that were improperly heat-treated, free of charge. The recall began on December 17,2014.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014.
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 › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Show 1 more recall
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (103), 1999 (97), 2003 (81), 2002 (70) and 2001 (64) model years. Transmission complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 14V-819 (axle shaft, Dec 24, 2014); 14V-374 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), Jun 27, 2014); 14V-152 (cooling unit and lines, Mar 31, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles; 67% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (317 mentions), followed by the transfer case (4-wheel drive) (50).
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.