2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Description of the Problem: My 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a recurring transmission issue involving hard shifting and shuddering during normal driving. The transmission frequently hesitates, clunks, or jolts when changing gears, especially at low to moderate speeds. These symptoms occur consistently and have worsened over time. Safety Concerns: The harsh gear engagement and shuddering make the vehicle difficult to control smoothly. It feels like something will break while I'm driving. The unpredictable shifting behavior feels unsafe in traffic, during merging, and when accelerating from a stop, or driving on the freeway. I am concerned this may be related to widespread transmission complaints reported by other 2023 Silverado owners, including valve body and TCM failures. Service History: I have not contacted my dealership regarding the issue. Why I’m Reporting: I believe this transmission behavior presents a potential safety defect. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can review it as part of ongoing monitoring of similar issues reported for this model year.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Visibility · MA

Truck will hard shift and bang into gear while driving. This usually happens when slowing then starting up again. happens at all speeds on highway, so hard it lunges me forward. condition getting worse. random times my windshield wipers will just come on ( I do not have rain sensors) the switch is in the off position and wipers will just come on and I have to turn them on then turn them off to get them to stop.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Transmission · OH

Hard shifting, Shuddering, clunking sound when shifting between drive and reverse. Was informed by Ken Ganley Chevy in Brookpark , Ohio that the valve body inside the 8speed transmission is faulty and is on a nationwide backorder.

Filed Jun 20, 2026 · Engine · MI

My truck has the L87 motor on recall. i purchased it brand new and paid top dollar for it. I've had issues since I've bought it. All of my maintenance has always been done at the dealership from regular maintenance to purchasing brand new tires. I am very disappointed to have a truck that concerns to drive, i do not take my family out in my truck because i am not confident in its reliability and safety. multiple times i've taken my truck in for service and let them know to complete an oil change, tire rotation and to check an issue with a "tick, clunk and knock" just to be told it was "normal for the 6.2". my normal dealership has blocked off appointments online and you'd have to call to try to set one up. I demanded a diagnostic one time when the truck was acting weird and the tech stated "stop by, i'll squeeze you in" in which i did. however, i wasn't given any documentation since "i didn't have an appointment". After reviewing all of my service records, i come to notice not once time did they mention they did a diagnostic check. Only the recall test shows on one of the service records. I've had 3 different viscosity oils in my motor from the dealer stating GM recommended it. I had to night drop my truck on June 14 as it was making a weird noise from the engine and it felt like it had less power. I waited 2 days and the dealer did not contact to even state they have my truck in service. when i called to ask the status i had to agree to text message communication in which they replied, "at best it will take 2 weeks just to look at it". I asked for a loaner since i need a truck for work and transportation, they replied they do not have any and I will be placed on a list. My truck is still under original powertrain warranty and they cannot even provide a loaner. i feel that they are brushing me off to buy time and here i am making hefty car and insurance payments for a truck i do not have nor a truck that I NEED to provide for my family. GM does not care!

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · MI

My 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 experiences an intermittant, uncommanded mechanical drivetrain lockup and severe binding when accelerating from a complete stop. The vehicle rolls fine in a straight line for several feet, but the exact moment the steering wheel is turned slightly (a couple degrees), the drivetrain violently binds up. This creates resistance in the steering and acceleration, as well as a severe physical and audible metallic clunking slam and massive shockwave vibrations felt directly through the steering wheel, floorboards, brake/gas pedals, and driver’s seat. During the last event, the vehicle threw a "Service 4 Wheel Drive" dash message and refused to shift out of "Auto" mode back into 2WD. Because this is a pure mechanical interference/binding issue, it does not consistently throw active electronic trouble codes. A standard OBD2 code scan will show nothing. After turning the vehicle off for several hours and testing again, the problem persisted. After towing the vehicle to a dealership (6/10/2026) it sat for at least 5 days before dealership service looked at it. By this time, the active warning lights cleared. My initial servicing dealership refused to perform physical hardware or fluid diagnostics under my factory warranty, stating they would not look at the vehicle unless I paid $860 out-of-pocket or until the drivetrain "completely grenaded" on the road. Because this uncommanded lockup restricts my ability to steer the vehicle safely from a stop, it presents an immediate crash hazard. At the direction of General Motors Corporate, I am escalating this issue and moving the vehicle to a secondary certified facility (Feldman Chevrolet of Novi) on June 23, 2026, for a formal physical hardware and fluid tear-down inspection.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Transmission · MO

At cold start vehicle often required several seconds for the transmission to engage before moving. After traveling at highway speed (45+ MPH) vehicle began to make clunking noise as if the transmission were changing gears but it was not and the RPMs on the tachometer did not change. Instances became worse and more frequent over 6 month period, vehicle never displayed any codes and no notifications or check engine/transmission lights on driver information center. Took vehicle to O’Fallon Buick GMC and was advised torque converter and transmission valve body had failed and needed replaced. I inquired about ongoing issue with this vehicle based on my findings online and was told it was not a recall issue at this time. Truck has 74,000 miles and service records for all maintenance to date.

Filed Sep 12, 2025 · Transmission · WA

The vehicle has been exhibiting occasional hard shifts over the last 2-3 months. Over the last 2-3 weeks the frequency has increased. While operating the vehicle at approximately 30 mph the rear wheels temporarily locked during one of these events while my wife was operating the vehicle. There was no indication that this was going to happen and no indication after the event. We took the vehicle to the dealership where they performed a diagnostic but found nothing wrong. In the week since picking up the vehicle I have been operating it. I experienced two occasions where upon trying to accelerate at approximately 30 mph there was a severe jolt that caused the traction control warning light to flash. This was under minor acceleration just to maintain speed when going uphill. There was no indication prior to the event and once it had concluded the lights went off. I also experienced an occurrence of the rear wheels locking temporarily. I was traveling at approximately 40 mph on flat ground and gently stepped on the accelerator to maintain my speed in traffic. The rear tires locked for 1-2 seconds to the point the tires were squealing and you could smell burning rubber. There was no indication prior to the event that it was coming. Given my necessary reaction I was unable to see if there were any indicators or warnings present. Following the event there were no indicators illuminated. Outside of these events the vehicle seems to operate normally. It runs well and generally shifts smooth. However, the rear wheels locking up unexpectedly presents an unacceptable hazard that is not resulting in any evidence that the dealer can use to troubleshoot.

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · TN

Accelerating getting onto the highway, at about 65 mph I heard and felt 2 clunks and I lost propulsion. I made it to the side of the road and the vehicle went completely dead. I tried restarting it and it wouldn’t do a thing.

Filed Mar 14, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · KY

I was on Expressway with the cruise set on 72 Miles an hour I heard a loud clunk the engine, of course shut off I go down to the gearshift in the console. It said neutral so close it over to the side of the road got stopped as soon as our momentum stopped and we are completely at a standstill the truck put itself in park. I then tried to restart it and it wouldn’t do anything. I contacted OnStar state in my situation and after multiple conversations with them, I disconnected the phone call and contacted my own towing service because we were 51 miles from our home and they would not tell the people there unless I paid for over half of it. They would only tow it to the nearest dealer. We have been a free customer since 1997. We or a family owned Electrical contacting business. My truck is my office. I’m in 90% of my day. I elected to take it to the dealer where we purchased it, and we purchased a good portion of our vehicles over the years and helps that it would be repaired in a timely manner.

Filed Jul 23, 2024 · Transmission · KY

Automatic Transmission Valve Body Failure. It is available for inspection. Safety issue: Lost high gears and low gears while towing a camper trailer, speed limited. Dealer confirmed problem and ordered parts. No advanced notice of the problem. Transmission experienced a hard shift and check engine light and warning message appeared. Dealer reports new part GM Part #24047995 is unavailable nationwide due to so many other customers with same problem. No timeframe given of when a part could be available.

Filed Nov 10, 2023 · Suspension · CA

There is a noticeable clunking or knocking noise from the rear suspension, possibly the leaf springs