Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 34 | 24% | 2,000 miles |
| 2025 | 27 | 22% | 17,000 miles |
| 2024 | 72 | 19% | 24,000 miles |
| 2023 | 91 | 18% | 57,000 miles |
| 2022 | 112 | 19% | 37,000 miles |
| 2021 | 143 | 24% | 66,000 miles |
| 2020 | 99 | 21% | 75,000 miles |
| 2019 | 140 | 21% | 31,000 miles |
| 2018 | 131 | 43% | 30,000 miles |
| 2017 | 118 | 33% | 30,000 miles |
| 2016 | 84 | 24% | 47,000 miles |
| 2015 | 98 | 14% | 33,000 miles |
| 2014 | 69 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% | 111,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% | 44,000 miles |
| 2011 | 24 | 8% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% | 194,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 4% | 74,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% | 96,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% | 38,000 miles |
| 2005 | 11 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% | 44,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% | 84,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% | 237,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 5% | 138,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% | 120,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 12% | 81,000 miles |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% | 55,000 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
5/08/2026: I stopped outside my garage. I then placed the truck in park and exited the vehicle while running. I went inside my garage and several minutes later, heard a crash. The truck had driven forward while unattended, and crashed into the corner of my garage, causing damage to both the building and the truck. Truck indicated it was still in park upon reentry. 5/11/2026 In a separate incident 3 days later, while driving at approximately 50mph, truck engaged in an automatic braking event with no discernible cause. Simply applied what felt like 100% braking for a split second, then released. 5/12/2026: Truck taken to GMC for investigation. No codes in any modules detected. 9/20/2026: Vehicle reports transmission fault, states it should not be driven. 9/21/2026: Towed to GMC dealer. Found codes P17A8 and P189D and diagnostic code 6906361, internal fault within gearshift control module. …
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted to park or neutral. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving at slow speeds. The contact stated that during one failure, the brakes independently activated, and the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The dealer was made aware of the failure by phone. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the diagnostic result was not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle decelerated to 10 MPH. In addition, the vehicle came to an abrupt stop independently. The contact's upper body almost struck the front windshield. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that shortly afterwards, the vehicle resumed driving normally at 75 MPH; however, the failure reoccurred after a short distance. The vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and abruptly came to a stop. The vehicle then resumed driving normally. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact arrived at the residence, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting a diagnostic test. …
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 - 10 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to properly accelerate, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was an electrical malfunction, which caused the transmission to downshift. An unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the network was not operating at the correct voltage due to the wiring harness. The engine light illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed on two occasions to the dealer to attempt to duplicate the failure. The dealer was unable to determine how to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer in LIMP Mode. The manufacturer, General Motors, was contacted by the dealer, and the contact also reported the failure to the manufacturer. A General Motors service engineer had inspected the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while vacationing in Canada and driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the RPM fluctuated, and the engine revved abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse(R) as intended. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road while in LIMP Mode. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that when the dealer contacted the manufacturer to order a new transmission, the manufacturer refused and informed the dealer to repair the current transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a week later, the vehicle experienced another failure. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and hesitated, and the transmission was slipping. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and DTC: P2818 "Pressure Control Solenoid H was stuck and the Transmission Control Module (TCM) valve body". The contact was informed that the part needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact to stop driving the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that months later, the failure reoccurred while driving at an undisclosed speed, and the vehicle shuddered and hesitated, and the transmission started slipping. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered while in first gear. The contact stated that the transmission sounded strained and shifted rough before slamming into gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the vehicle was oversteering while turning to the right. The dealer replaced the valve and torque converter. On another occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle accelerated independently. Most recently, a burned transmission fluid odor was coming from the front of the vehicle and entered the cabin through the A/C vents. There oil stains found on the ground on several occasions. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the engine block had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly and jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure, requiring the PCM/TCM to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. …
Related recalls (4)
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.
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 GMC Sierra 1500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (143), 2019 (140), 2018 (131), 2017 (118) and 2022 (112) model years. Transmission complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 1500 transmission problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-289 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), May 7, 2026); 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 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (38 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (9).
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.