The vehicle will not allow the truck to be turned off everytime, it states the truck must be in park to be turned off, and the truck is in park. The engine lost power and staleld twice, and loses accelerator power multiple times. The transmission has dis-engaged 3 times. All of this since July 2026. The truck has 54,000 miles on it.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 loss of power problems
115 of the 4,101 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 115
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,300
- typical mileage
- 65,000
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 30Check engine light 22Stalling 15Fuel pump 11Won't shift 9Harsh shifting 4Brake failure 4Won't start 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P0747 3P0700 2U18FE 1U18D7 1U029E 1U029D 1P2733 1P2715 1P2149 1P2089 1
What owners say
I own a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD equipped with the 6.6L Duramax diesel engine and Allison-branded 10 speed (10L1000) automatic transmission. VIN: [XXX]. While pulling away from a traffic light and accelerating to approximately 20 to 30 mph, the transmission suddenly began shifting harshly and erratically, experienced delayed engagement, unexpectedly downshifted, and would not shift into overdrive. At the same time, the check engine light illuminated and a Reduced Engine Power warning appeared. There were no warning lights, messages, or transmission symptoms prior to this incident. I pulled into a parking lot for approximately one hour, but when I resumed driving, the same failure occurred again. The transmission malfunction created a safety concern because the vehicle unexpectedly lost normal shifting and power while operating in traffic, making it difficult to accelerate and maintain speed safely. I contacted OnStar, which reported both an engine and transmission fault. I then drove the vehicle to my independent diesel mechanic, who diagnosed a failure of the transmission control valve body caused by an internal solenoid that is not serviceable separately, requiring replacement of the complete transmission control valve body assembly. The repair has been completed, so the original failed component is no longer available for inspection. The failure was confirmed by an independent service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by Chevrolet, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. I contacted General Motors to determine whether my VIN was included in the existing transmission control valve recall and was advised that it is not. I am submitting this complaint because my truck experienced the same symptoms and the same component failure as vehicles covered by the recall, despite my VIN not being included. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle experienced reduced power and went into LIMP Mode. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle after several minutes, as per the Owner's Manual. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that it could take 1-2 weeks to diagnose the vehicle, and several months to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a claim was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
On or about March 14, 2026 vehicle in question stopped working, losing all power and gave a message that the vehicle was over heating and to turn off immediately. A large amount of steam emitted through the coolant reservoir that was a mixture of oil and coolant. Vehicle was towed to a manufacturer service location. The oil/coolant system ruptured damaging the radiator, thermostat, hoses and related parts. Vehicle with low mileage/hours was consuming engine oil at what one would consider a greater rate. ( 1 quart every other day). Our organization is aware that the diesel model of this truck had a recall for a oil/cooling system issue and we believe the same liability may lay with the gas version. Mileage was approximately 13,000 at time of breakdown.
The Transmission on my truck down shifted and made it so I lost all power while driving. If I would have been on the freeway it probably would have killed me or caused a serious accident. It is at a shop waiting to be inspected but they said it was the valve body in the transmission. No warning lights came on at all, and the shop had to plug a computer into my transmission to get the codes. GM needs to make this right because it is going to kill someone or cause harm if a bad accident happens due to failure at freeway speeds.
The high pressure fuel pump “grenaded” while driving on the interstate. Caused an immediate shutdown and barely got off the main lane to the shoulder in extremely heavy traffic putting me, my wife and others in imminent danger. The components were inspected by the dealer mechanic and insurance adjuster and they said that is what happened and that there was no reason for it to have happened. A warning of reduced power appeared about 3 seconds before the truck completely shutdown.
My 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Bison ZR2 (VIN [XXX] ) suddenly lost all power steering, acceleration, and propulsion while driving my children to school at approximately 8:00 AM on March 16, 2026. The truck came to a complete stop with no warning lights or prior indication. This matches the exact ‘critical issue with the engine and transmission system’ alert I received from OnStar Advanced Diagnostics the same morning. Steering was completely unresponsive and I had no acceleration. My children were passengers — this was extremely dangerous. I have not driven the vehicle since and have requested towing to the dealer. Please investigate under any open probes into 2024 Silverado HD power-loss and steering failures. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While accelerating to merge onto the highway, the transmission attempted a shift twice and could not complete the shift. That process causes an aggressive deceleration with each shift attempt. It then slowed, turned on the check engine light and displayed "Reduced Power Mode" - i.e. went into limp mode. The dealer pulled code P0747. The repair is a full transmission rebuild. I did not experience wheel lock up like other people have, but this is the same problem that has been heavily documented.
While traveling at highway speed on the interstate in my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD (approx. 120,000 miles), the vehicle experienced a sudden hard jolt followed by a momentary rear wheel lockup. This occurred without warning. Immediately after, the transmission defaulted into a fail-safe condition and became locked in 4th gear. The vehicle would move but could not shift properly, resulting in abnormally high RPM and engine load at highway speeds. I was forced to continue driving several miles in this condition to reach a safe exit. The unexpected drivetrain behavior and temporary wheel lockup created a serious safety risk, including potential loss of control and risk of collision. The dealership identified transmission diagnostic trouble codes P2715 and P2733 (pressure control solenoid performance). Transmission fluid was found to be burnt and contaminated with metal debris. The vehicle is subject to GM Special Coverage N242454441 for a known control valve body defect that can cause harsh shifting and reduced engine power. Although code P0747 (referenced in the bulletin) was not present, the failure involved transmission hydraulic pressure control. The dealership is replacing the valve body under the special coverage but is not addressing the internal transmission damage, stating they cannot determine whether the damage resulted from the covered defect. The sudden rear wheel lockup and transmission fail-safe condition at highway speed present a significant safety concern involving unintended drivetrain behavior.
Will pulling camper, truck lurched with hard shift at around 35mph and caused a sudden slow down in traffic. Truck then went into limp mode with engine light illuminated. Pulled over to turn vehicle off and restart. Attempted to gain speed again and similar lurch with hard shift at around 35-40mph. Vehicle again in reduced power mode. Was able to ease truck to dealer where code reader showed P0700 and P0747. This was similar to issue found in recall for model years 2020-2022 with GM 10L1000 transmissions. There has been a technical service bulletin issue by GM regarding models years 21-25 but no recall. Dealer has ordered parts for TSB but repair not performed yet.
Related recalls
Engine
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail.
- Risk
- A short-circuit may damage the engine components and increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will contact owners, dealers will replace the engine block heater, free of charge. Additionally, in Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles, dealers will install a new rerouted heater cord. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑586‑596‑1733. GM's number for this recall is N182206310.
Recall number 19V328000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 loss of power
Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (15 complaints), 2015 (12 complaints) and 2001 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,300 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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