Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 40% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% | 40,000 miles |
| 2024 | 13 | 26% | 63,000 miles |
| 2023 | 14 | 50% | 34,000 miles |
| 2022 | 6 | 19% | 117,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 35% | 133,000 miles |
| 2020 | 19 | 37% | 108,000 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 7% | 58,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 23% | 120,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 11% | 120,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 14% | — |
| 2012 | 3 | 33% | 16,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2009 | 2 | 40% | 74,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% | 3,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 13% | 13,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 27% | 37,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% | 87,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% | 22,000 miles |
| 2000 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 20% | — |
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 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, there was a loud pop and the vehicle jolted, after which the vehicle started to lose motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission valve body. The vehicle was not repaired due to a lack of parts availability. 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 63,000.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to exceed 50 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the transmission valve body was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
May 3 2026 was traveling on highway when my 2023 dually duramax wheels locked up on me causing me to hit a guard rail and then truck would not go into any gear and was toast after first dealership it went to was valve body repair and after 1400 dollars it went to another dealer on June 17th to Frank brown for transmission replacement due to failed valve body issue similar to special bulletin n242454441 GMC executive office promised to replace and take Care of me since I am a "valuable customer and instead they lied and went back on their word and left me with another bill of 9,300 dollars for repairs 6200 for transmission and 3000 dollars for labor???? …
I have had an incident where my 2023 gmc 3500 hd was had left me stranded earler this week. i towed the new truck to a certified dealer and i haven't heard anything since then. they mentioned my transmission will need to be fully replaced because valve body issues of solenoid a,e,f, are stuck open and closed codes on the 10 speed transmission upon researching my trucks history it was manufactured in 2022 and pulled out for sale october 2022 and i have seen. 242454441 special recall the same issues i experienced shudder and engine power reduced and no parking gear or driving. …
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before going into LIMP Mode. A dealer was contacted. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission control valve failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the transmission downshifted hard. The contact stated that the transmission failed to properly shift gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
The contact's son owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 Commercial Vehicle. The contact stated while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed uphill, the vehicle failed to shift to a gear higher than 5th gear. Additionally, the rear wheels locked up, causing the vehicle to come to a stop. The driver attempted to resume driving, but the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The contact was unsure whether a warning light had been illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the driver's girlfriend. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced, but the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Problem: Unable to shift transmission from D to another position like R, P, N due to snow/slush being on shifter. I travel on Idaho state highways and County roads that are plowed. In February, I traveled state highway 14. Road conditions were plowed snow roads, broken snow floor, slush and pavement without slush or snow. I had a passenger with me on this trip from Elk City, Idaho to Grangeville, Idaho via SH-14. When I pulled into my storage unit, I could not shift from D to P or N or R. I could only drive forward. The temperature in Grangeville was mid 40s. I did not have any tremendous snow build up on the under carriage or wheel wells. I drove to the dealer Gortsema Motors and their service technician said that I needed to go to a car wash and blow out the snow buildup next to the transmission linkage shifter. …
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 3500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (19), 2023 (14), 2024 (13), 2021 (7) and 2022 (6) model years. Transmission complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 3500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (4 mentions), followed by the axle assembly (2).
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.