2002 Chevrolet Silverado: complete transmission failure

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 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 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.

Filed Dec 25, 2005 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · RI

My vehicle has sustained two complete transmission failures within 50k miles of usage. The first failure occurred around 25k miles while trying to get out my driveway. The second failure occurred around 50k miles while traveling on a highway at 65 MPH. Luckily, I was able to make it into the breakdown without incident (only because of light traffic conditions). In both cases, the transmission was replaced under warranty service, so I don't have a complaint about that aspect. I do worry about the fact that two transmission failures occurring at around 25k miles apart suggests a pattern of failure.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Transmission · 38,227 miles · NY

Dt: contact owned a 2002 chevrolet silverado. While driving consumer's vehicle began to pass another vehicle. When the vehicle went into passing gear consumer heard a loud noise. Consumer let off the gas and the vehicle shifted into another gear. While taking the vehicle to the garage consumer realized there was no reverse and it was shifting oddly. The service dealer stated the transmission will have to be repaired, but did not know the cause of the transmission failure. There had been no previous problems regarding the transmission and the vehicle has minimal usage. The warranty of the vehicle was for 3 years/36,000 miles, the vehicle has approximately 38,000 miles when this incident occurred.

Filed Aug 19, 2005 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · AL

My 2002 chevrolet silverado z-71 transmission went out with only 45,000 miles on the truck. I had it repaired and was told it is a very common problem with chevrolets and gmc trucks.

Filed Jan 10, 2005 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · MI

Driving down the road, some loud sound. Can't go in revserse at all. I only have 42000 miles on the truck. The transmission does not shift into 1st gear correctly, and has a hard time shifting into high gears, and the RPM stay high running in the truck. Need a new transmission. Chevrolet dealer that I bought it from call the 800 number for gm and they are paying for the over 3000 payment for a new transmission. Since it should not have broke at that time. Give me a break. I will not buy another gm car in my lifetime.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Transmission · 23,000 miles · OH

Transmission failure at 23000 miles. The reaction gear set was replaced under warranty. The mechanics made it sound like this is a common problem and I'm on the third generation part.

Filed Jun 15, 2004 · Transmission · 42,870 miles · ND

My 2002 chevrolet silverado ext cab 4x4 transmission failed at a repair cost of $1400.00. It had 42,800 miles on it. Final warranty work(36000 miles) was done about 2 months ago. General motors says they won't help me cover repair costs because I traded the vehicle for a new gmc (I no longer had confidence to keep this vehicle since the transmission should have been trouble free for sure for 100,000 miles and I was afraid it could happen again 40,000 miles later. I tried taking good care of this vehicle). Whether I kept the vehicle or not is beside the point. I owned the vehicle at the time of the repairs and expected some financial help from gm.