Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2024 | 27 | 25% | 50,000 miles |
| 2023 | 20 | 61% | 42,000 miles |
| 2022 | 5 | 12% | 18,000 miles |
| 2021 | 13 | 25% | 50,000 miles |
| 2020 | 24 | 31% | 114,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% | 15,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% | 16,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% | 46,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% | 7,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 10% | 15,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 11% | 118,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% | 127,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% | 190,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% | 72,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | 192,000 miles |
| 2006 | 12 | 18% | 37,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% | 65,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 6% | 73,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 8% | 43,000 miles |
| 2002 | 14 | 10% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 20% | 280,000 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
transmission locked up 8 times from 1,050 miles to current 3,885 miles. It has happens each time around 40 mph. Each time it's like hitting the brakes. The 8th time it locked really hard like slamming on the brakes. I'm worried with winter months what will happen on snow/ice covered roads. Called dealership and was told GM refuses to do anything until it completely fails. It seems they know what the problem is but refuse to fix till the truck stops moving during complete failure. No warning lamps and dealer ship says they can't replicate it.
Transmission fluid overheating, which is a known issue in other GM models with 6.6L diesel with 12 speed allison transmission. Confirmed by warning message received on dashboard and transmission fluid temperature gauge. This occurred within 3 weeks of purchase. Dealer confirmed "Valve" needs to be replaced. Part is on back order with no arrival eta. Service advisor indicates the truck is not safe to drive and remains in the service department.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle then inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 40 MPH. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the transmission solenoid and transmission control module (TCM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking onto the garage floor. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission hesitated before shifting. The contact stated that the check transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had inquired if the transmission needed to be replaced, and was informed that transmissions were on a national back order. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,808.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the engine was revving abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine and an unknown "orange-colored" warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off and was afraid to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that a valve in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shook abnormally twice and then switched to Low Power Mode. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the valve body had failed within one and a half year. The contact requested that the entire transmission be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and declined to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the warning message "transmission overheated" had suddenly displayed and an audible alarm activated. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission valve body assembly needed to be replaced. The transmission valve body assembly was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,334.
I am receiving a "Shift to Park" warning intermittently when parking my truck. The truck is in park, but the transmission does not recognize this and flashes the warning on the dash and chimes. While this is happening, I cannot lock the vehicle, and the battery is being drained. I have read that this is a known issue with other GMC models as well. I just was given a $1074 bill to replace the transmission control with park sensor.
Related recalls (2)
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 2500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2024 (27), 2020 (24), 2023 (20), 2002 (14) and 2003 (13) model years. Transmission complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2024.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 2500 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 GMC Sierra 2500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (22 mentions), followed by the transfer case (4-wheel drive) (8).
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.