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Chevrolet Silverado harsh shifting problems

146 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2003 model year.

owner complaints
146
worst model year
2003
typical mileage
19,500
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Transmission · 89,900 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, there was a grinding noise coming from the engine and transmission area. The contact stated when driving the vehicle there was a hard shift when shifting gears. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic stating the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,900.

Filed Mar 24, 2020 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · HI

1st to 2nd gear shifts are hesitant and rough, sometimes dangerous causing truck to jump forward. Usually in parking lots. If stopped on a downhill ; I take foot off brake then the truck will roll like all cars do, and then when I step on the accelerator, the truck engine will rev up as if in neutral then slam into gear causing me to nearly rear end the cars in front on multiple occasions

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Brakes · 3,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal clunking sound was heard coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the oil level was always low. There was no warning. The vehicle was taken to the midway chevrolet located at (2323 w bell rd, phoenix, az 85023) where the technician repaired the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v645000 (service brakes, hydraulic), the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and told the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 3,000 miles · NY

I've noticed since the first month of owner ship back in 2018, that something was wrong with my transmission. I own a 2017 chevy silverado with the 8 speed transmission. Not only had it been discouraging, it's disturbing, and possibly even unsafe. From 1st to 2nd gear there is a hard shift in the transmission. And the same problem is from 2nd to 1st gear. The vehicle makes a loud clunk and it jerks simultaneously. The fact I spent $50,000 on this truck brand new and have got nowhere with the problem is outrageous. I always believe it is a safety concern, because the vehicle will move it radically. When I brought it to my dealership they said it was 'left in 4 wheel drive' ridiculous lies. And if that was the case why did they 'update the transmission computer.' regardless, all of these problems from gm have been swept under the rug. The problem has never stopped. I've gotten replies from service representatives at the dealership saying 'they all do that' or 'it's fine' so tired of getting nowhere. Gm should be replacing every single 8 speed transmission. I am worried that my transmission will fail at any time. New vehicles should not drive like this.

Filed Nov 14, 2019 · Transmission · 32,000 miles · WI

Transmission is constantly jerking and hard shifting. It also lags when trying to accelerate. Tried to get it looked at under warranty and was told "welcome to the future" by the dealership. They wouldn't even drive or look at it. Feels like I've been ripped off, why even offer warranties?

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · MN

Transmission shudder at speed. Hard shifts at slow speed. Appears to be well documented across this site and other forums. It appears the oil used in the transmissions was defective (per chevy) . Tsb - 16-na-175 and tsb 18-na-355. Hopefully adding to the long list of complaints helps get chevy to issue a "recall" or something similar to resolve the issue with the flush procedures or similar fixes.

Filed Oct 4, 2019 · Transmission · 19,000 miles · GA

Hard downshifting when going down hills at slow speed. Jerking and clunking noise, and RPM goes up and sounds like gears are grinding. I have taken it to the dealership and they tell me nothing is wrong. It happens every time I am going down a hill with the breaks applied and going at a slow speed. The truck jerked so bad that the seat belt locked.

Filed Sep 26, 2019 · Transmission · MO

Truck down and upshifts hard. When slowing down for a car in front of me, when I get back on the gas, the truck has no power like it can't figure out what gear to be in. Makes a loud clunking noise with light acceleration from 1st to 2nd gear. There is major hesitation when trying to down shift no matter what gear I'm in. Problem needs to be fixed before someone gets injured. Been to chevy 3 times for the same problem and all they tell me is the transmission will learn how you drive. They also told me there is no new update for the transmission module so I'm screwed.

Filed Aug 20, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 500 miles · HI

I bought my 2017 chevrolet silverado on october 2017. Not even one month after purchased I had to bring back the vehicle due to loud clunking noises and jerking. I had to bring the truck in at least 3-4 times a year due to the same problem.

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · WI

Very hard shift going from 1st to 2nd gear and from 2nd gear to 1st gear. The shift was so hard that the tires made a chirping noise and hardly any throttle was being used.

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported December 24, 2014 · 152 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to November 25, 2014. Due to an improper heat-treatment, the rear axle shaft may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
Risk
If the rear axle shaft fractures, the rear wheel may separate from the axle shaft, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear axles, and replace any that were improperly heat-treated, free of charge. The recall began on December 17,2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet) or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14892.

Recall number 14V819000 · Recall details

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)Reported June 27, 2014 · 392,459 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Risk
If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.

Recall number 14V374000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported March 31, 2014 · 489,936 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (feature code MYC). The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
Risk
If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑866‑694‑6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1‑866‑996‑9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.

Recall number 14V152000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported January 2, 2013 · 54,686 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
Risk
As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1‑800‑630‑2438. Cadillac owners may call 1‑866‑982‑2339. GMC owners may call 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 13V001000 · Recall details

Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicatorReported February 14, 2005 · 7,194 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
Risk
The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 05V055000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported January 7, 2005 · 98,221 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve pressure is depleted.
Risk
An inoperative pump can cause increased steering effort, and in hydro-boost equipped vehicles also increased braking effort, but does not completely eliminate the ability to steer or slow the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 05V005000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Silverado harsh shifting

Which Chevrolet Silverado years have harsh or hard shifting problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2003 (25 complaints), 2002 (21 complaints) and 2004 (19 complaints).

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