The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 60-70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. Upon inspection, the contact became aware of a coolant leak underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo coolant inlet had fractured. The part was replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that the transmission was in working order upon inspection; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 overheating problems
31 of the 4,101 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,800
- typical mileage
- 74,000
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 2Won't shift 2Fire or smoke 2Stalling 1Slipping 1Shudder 1Oil consumption 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P20C1 1P20B9 1
What owners say
On approximately January 24, 2026 my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD equipped with the 6.6 Duramax Diesel displayed an error code (P20B9). This error code was found to be related to the diesel exhaust fluid system specifically relating to "Reductant Heater A Control Circuit/Open." On January 27, 2026, the vehicle was diagnosed at Chevrolet dealership and the following was reported "Diesel Emissions Fluid Tank Remove and Replace - P20B9 SET FOR REDUCTANT HEATER CIRCUIT...COMMANDED ON AND ZERO AMPS..CIRCUITFAILURE... DISCONNECT PUMP MODULE AND BURNED/OVERHEATED TERMINALS..PUMP MODULE AND HARNESS PART OF TANK ASSEMBLY... LABOR TIME ADDED TO PERFORM MALFUNCTION/TAMPER TEST TO CLEAR EMISSIONS MESSAGE...." I found the "burned/overheated terminals" comment to be alarming. I looked into this matter further and found a GM Service Bulletin (21-NA-006) from October 2022. This bulletin identified this issue which contained an image showing burned/overheated terminals. The identified cause within the bulletin states "This condition may be caused by a poor connection at the Emission Reduction Fluid Tank electrical connector." I believe this should upgraded to a safety recall due the the potential of this terminal connection catching fire which could be detrimental for the operator, passengers, property, and the public.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the messages "Service Emission System”, “See Owner's Manual", and "65 MPH Max Speed" were displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the diesel exhaust fluid gas tank connector terminal had overheated, and the gas tank and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained at the dealer. The contact associated the failure to the Global Warranty Management: N212342980. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,794.
10L1000 transmission, began having problems with delays and harsh gear engagement. Flare shifting and shuddering. Finally starting having transmission overheating issues while towing. I had to make several unsafe stops with a trailer to wait for the transmission to cool down again before continuing to get it home. Saw trans temps up to 240°F on flat land with 40° outside temps. I could smell the hot transmission fluid inside the truck. When I went to check the fluid level of the transmission, the fluid was full but had a large amount of glitter like metallic flakes. The fluid was very dark brown in color and smelled terribly burnt. The last recall I took in to the dealer for was about the transmissions possibility of failing, locking up, along with the rear wheels at any speed. I have young children that ride in this truck, that in it self was unsettling and unsafe. But then to have issues with absolutely no warning light was concerning. Ive since ordered an aftermarket built transmission to avoid repeating the same issues with a factory GM replacement. My factory warranty had also ended a few months prior to having these problems with it. Leaving me to completely foot the bill for it to be replaced. I had to pull money from my retirement early to cover costs, in fact costing me much more than just the sticker price.
Supposedly The oil cooler ended up failing causing oil to be pumped into the cooling system at 26000 miles 8 months after purchase. A low oil message popped up upon start up looked under the hood a noticed no oil on the dip stick and a coolant reservoir full of jet black oil (supposed to be a bright red) and a fluid level higher than the normally observed coolant level. Thankfully happened in my drive way. It could have left me stranded had the engine completely run out of oil/overheated etc. Had the coolant reservoir broke/cracked due to the extra pressure and added volume in the coolant system it would have leaked a coolant/oil mixture in the engine bay around hot components of the motor. (potential fire hazard in my opinion) thankfully was able to get it towed to the dealer before any major leaks of the coolant system or catastrophic damage (that I know of) occurred.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the connector for the heater system was causing the vehicle to overheat, subsequently enabling the vehicle to go faster than 50 MPH. If the vehicle reaches 75 miles, it would immediately decrease in speed to 5 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed a P20C1 code, indicating reductant heater failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the dealer, who recommended calling the federal safety agency Hotline to file a safety complaint. The manufacturer was informed of the failure they also referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Emergency brakes do not disengage all the time, resulting in brakes overheating.
I was driving on Interstate 75 in Ohio when the engine suddenly overheated and completely locked up we were pulling my travel trailer camper at the time which we ended up getting off of an overpass and blocking traffic for several hours until we got the vehicles moved Chevrolet did eventually replace the motor and the entire cooling system with what they claim is a new motor in October of 2024, and within the last couple of days I have noticed a smell coming from the engine compartment that was reminiscent about the smell when it locked up I'm afraid they stuck another motor in my truck that has the same exact issues and once it goes out of warranty I'm going to be stuck with another broke down truck
Truck is under 105000 miles and needs a transmission due to a failed torque converter. First starts with erratic speeds in cruise control mode that is unsafe then will not shift into overdrive causing overheating issues.
The rear sliding glass/defrost has a defect in where is short out and overheats the contacts. This in turn get so hot that is start to melt contacts and all the plastic where the contacts are in addition the rear window shatters. Gm has a recall N192265660 but my vin isnt included. Contacted GM they sent me to this site.
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 overheating
Which Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (6 complaints), 2020 (5 complaints) and 2003 (3 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine overheating on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,800 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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