The 8-speed automatic transmission exhibits numerous issues. 1) when slowing down to under 10 MPH, as if you were yielding to traffic and then pressing the throttle to accelerate the vehicle, two issues can occur. First, the vehicle's transmission can hesitate between gears, providing no power to the wheels. Second, when vehicle does shift into a gear, the vehicle can lurch forward unexpectedly as if you were hit from behind. There is sometimes an audible "clank" when this issue occurs. This issue can prevent a driver from successfully entering traffic due to loss of instant power to the wheels. 2) during low-speed acceleration, the vehicle can hesitate between the first three gears, providing no power to the wheels. It has a similar feel to a transmission that was slipping. This can cause a driver to over-correct the deficiency in power to the wheels by applying excessive throttle and cause an accident. 3) when proceeding slowly in stop and go traffic, the vehicle can shift up or down suddenly, causing the vehicle to lurch forward unexpectedly. There is sometimes an audible "clank" when this issue occurs. This can cause the vehicle to strike the rear of another vehicle, in tight traffic, if the driver isn't prepared to apply the brake when the event occurs. 4) when driving normally, the transmission may hesitate to downshift when the accelerator is applied as would be necessary when trying to pass a vehicle. This does not appear to be gear dependent. The loss of instant power can prevent the driver from successfully overtaking another vehicle in the event they need to conduct a passing maneuver.
Chevrolet Silverado slipping problems
47 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 47
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 16,000
By model year
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 10Jerking 8Transmission failure 3Hesitation 3ABS 3Won't shift 2Fuel gauge 2Fire or smoke 2
What owners say
Transmission started slipping at 72000 miles, replacement or rebuild.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet silverado. While driving 55 MPH on the highway, the contact smelled an abnormal odor coming from under the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact opened the hood and noticed flames. The flames extinguished itself after 15 minutes. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle once it cooled down. The contact discovered transmission oil leaking and stated that the transmission gear was slipping from each gear. The vehicle became inoperable and was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
On acceleration from a stop, the RPM's race while shifting. Vehicle acts as if the transmission is slipping from 1-2. Early in the life of the vehicle I thought this was only something that happened the first time shifting after pulling out of the garage however, as the truck gets more miles on it, the problem happens more often and when taking off from stops when hot. Vehicle was brought to dealer to diagnose complaint and was told there was a bulletin to address this problem but since the tech couldn't verify it, they didn't do anything. Dealer said I have a good powertrain warranty so if something breaks later I should be covered. Not only is this unprofessional and poor customer service, they literally did nothing to attempt to diagnose or confirm the problem. There seems to be numerous complaints on this site related to RPM racing complaints.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet silverado. The contact stated when shifting into drive from a complete stop, the transmission would slip into neutral. The contact would attempt to accelerate but the vehicle was resistant. When removing his foot from the brake, the vehicle would independently roll backward. The vehicle was left with the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 27,000.
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.
1. Noticed transmission slipping over the last few months 2. A few weeks ago, the tail light, right turn signal and cruise control and dash lights started malfunctioning 3. Recently, the paint around rear passenger door and roof is peeling.
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to pass another vehicle at 45 MPH, there was a loud noise noticed coming from under the vehicle. The transmission was slipping and the reverse was inoperable. The dealership was alerted.
Dt*: the contact stated while in motion the transmission slipped and jerked intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealership for inspection. The dealer greased the driveshaft with hi-temperature grease on the spleen. At 2000 miles later, while driving at 70 MPH, the driveshaft sheared, broke away from the transmission and rear end. The contact lost control of the vehicle. However the vehicle was able to be pulled onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to the local dealership where the dealer replaced the driveshaft and transmission.
In feb. 2005, bought a new chevy. Silverado hd truck. 6 days later while 90 miles from home, transmission burned out of truck. Unable to go faster than 35 MPH, smoke rolling out of rear. Transmission slipping while this going on. Parked near a gas station to call roadside assistance, absolutely no help what-so-ever. This was at 6:30pm and they couldn't locate a tow truck. 11 days later I got my truck returned with a new transmission(gm refused to give me a new one)
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- 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)
- 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 lines
- 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 transmission
- 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 indicator
- 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: driveshaft
- 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 slipping
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (11 complaints), 2004 (7 complaints) and 1999 (6 complaints).
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