2002 Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems

Filed Mar 2, 2013 · Transmission · 68,179 miles · TX

On feb 21st 2013 my transmission broke and it lost 2nd, 4th, and reverse, but was still drivable. I took it to a local independent transmission shop and they said it was a well-known problem. After doing extensive research I found that gm has known about this weak sun gear shell since at least 1998. The problem is that gm didn't remove the faulty parts from their inventory, although they updated the part sometime in2000 gm mixed the new parts in with the old so that their statistics would show that not all 4l60e transmissions failed. Transmission rebuilders say you can only tell the faulty shell from the updated version by the serial number inside the faulty sun gear shell. Many engineering accomplishments in transmissions have been made in the past two decades with materials and lubricants. There is absolutely no reason for such a massive gm transmission failure. What makes it so bad after the ten dollar part fails gm charges $3,000 for a rebuilt transmission. If the faulty sun gear shell was replaced before total failure the price is less than $1,000. I watched as my transmission was being rebuilt and there was no visible wear on any other parts. It looked like brand new except this faulty sun gear shell. If this problem is so widely known for so many years throughout the industry why wasnt there a forced recall? If there was just one related death the government would have been all over this, what a shame. I for one would like some of my money back, now knowing that gm fraudulently covered up this massive problem.

Filed Jun 18, 2010 · Brakes, Transmission · 72,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated while braking from speeds of 5 MPH the antilock brakes engaged, increasing stopping distance by approximately seven feet. The dealer advised him that the rotors, brakes and speed sensor would need to be replaced. The contact was able to locate a recall for the failure but was advised that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock). The contact stated he had experienced the failure before and repairs were made by the dealer. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage is 153,847 updated 08/17/10. *lj the cv boot was leaking. Updated 09/28/10

Filed Apr 20, 2009 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado. While approaching a stop, the contact heard grinding metal, which sounded as if the gear was slipping. The vehicle was still able to be driven, but made a continuous whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a transmission shop and the entire transmission will need to be rebuilt. The manufacturer stated that they would not assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 51,000 and current mileage was 72,945.

Filed Jul 21, 2008 · Brakes, Transmission · 21,202 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado. The parking brake malfunctioned while the vehicle was parked. The brake would not activate when shifted into neutral and the vehicle drifted without warning. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer and has not been repaired. The current mileage is 75,000. Updated 09/15/08 *bf the consumer stated he heard a scrapping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. He was informed the differential needed to be serviced. No one informed the consumer there was a problem with the parking brake. Updated 09/24/08.

Filed May 24, 2007 · Transmission · 49,939 miles · CA

While driving my 02 silverado z71 (49900 miles) on the freeway at 65/75 MPH, I noticed that the truck was slowing down and my foot was still on the gas pedal. The tachometer jumped to 6000-7000 RPM and I was going at 30-40 MPH. My truck got towed to a chevy dealer and cost me 3600.00 to install a new/reman transmission. The dealer could not specify why the transmission failed.

Filed Jan 17, 2007 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · NY

Original transmission went 19 months after purchase at 34k miles replaced 6/03 2nd transmission went at 57k truck miles/23k rebuilt transmission miles 6/04. 3rd transmission went at 114k truck miles/57k rebuilt transmission miles 1/4/07. The warranty on the third transmission expired nov 24, 2006 just 41 days after the warranty expired.

Filed Jan 8, 2007 · Transmission · NY

Purchased 2002 chevy silverado truck nov.21, 2001 1st transmission replaced 6/03 with 34000 truck miles 2nd transmission replaced 6/04 with 57000 truck miles; 23000 miles on new transmission 3rd transmission blew 1/07 with 114000 truck miles; 56400 miles on this transmission.

Filed May 13, 2006 · Transmission · 52,649 miles · OH

I request that your agency investigate an irresponsible and intentional action on the part of the general motors corporation (gm) to purposely install an inferior/defective sun shell spline in the transmission of countless trucks and suvs. When substantiated, I request that your agency take action to force gm to take responsibility for this action, conduct a recall campaign, and reimburse consumers that have already had to pay for these expensive repairs out of their pockets. I own a 2002, 1500 silverado, z-71 truck VIN [xxx]5 with 52,600 miles. On may 3, 2006 the transmission failed with reverse, 2nd and 4th gears not functioning. Upon internal inspection at the local aamoco transmission repair shop it was determined that the failure was caused by an inferior/defective sun shell spline. The transmission expert at the shop stated that this was a common problem in gm trucks and that it was known by gm and as a result a new stronger sun shell spline had been installed, after supplies of the inferior/defective parts were exhausted. I did further research on the web and was able to confirm the transmission shops statements with many complaints found by gm truck owners for the same premature and expensive transmission failures. It is very obvious from the experiences of other gm truck owners that gm does not intend to stand behind their products that are out of warranty due an inferior/defective part that appears to have been knowingly installed. The cost for rebuilding my transmission was $2951.75, which I have had to pay for out of pocket. Your attention this mater is greatly appreciated. *nm updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed May 10, 2006 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · AL

Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to back into a parking space there was a whining noise present from the transmission of the vehicle. The vehicle was put into drive and driven 50 yards and then placed into park. While in park the whining noise persisted and the speedometer went from 0 to 20. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection who determined the transmission needs replaced. Updated 5/23/2006 -

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Transmission · 23,000 miles · WV

2002 chevy silverado 1500 - at 23,000 miles the transmission failed and was rebuilt/replaced at a gm dealership in pennsylvania - at 53,000 mile transmission failed and was replaced at a transmission shop due to being out of warrenty (that's a suprise) the trany shop found that the gm dealership had not even replaced all of the bolts in the transmission. The cost was $1500.00 plus a rental car during the repair process. I can see that this seems to be an ongoing problem with the transmission. My concern is that if my wife is driving and the transmission fails again. Gm should have more than enough information to do a recall on the transmission.