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.
Chevrolet Silverado transmission failure problems
54 of the 8,746 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Silverado describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 54
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,500
- typical mileage
- 49,939
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 3Slipping 3Harsh shifting 3ABS 3Wipers 2Won't shift 2Brake failure 2Whining noise 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, and the gear shifter became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,564.
Last fall 10/14 replaced all brake lines due to corrosion (97000 miles). Which has been mentioned numerous times already. After that ABS light came on intermittently lost brakes last week to it to the shop they had it for the day everything worked fine. Continued driving light started coming back on & brakes were erratic. Yesterday was pulling out of parking lot had no brakes. If these are known problems why isn't anyone taking care of it. Why you would put untreated brake lines on a vehicle in the salt districts is beyond me. I had an 1989 oldsmobile with the original line on it til 198,000 miles. I also replaced the transmission at 77,000 miles due to corrosion of the lines.($2700)
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.
Transmission failure at 53,000 miles. Vehicle engine runs high RPM but fails to shift, especially from 2nd to 3rd gear. Dealer says it will have to be replaced. The problem is dangerous, especially in city traffic where trying to negotiate at traffic light is a hit or miss proposition.
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.
Tl*- the contact has a 2003 chevrolet silverado with a current odometer of 60,000 miles. On 5-13-04 the brakes failed. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. On 10-17-04 the transmission failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, and they told the contact that the failure was due to the vehicle hauling items, but the vehicle did not have a hitch to haul anything.
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.
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)
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 -
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 transmission failure
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (14 complaints), 2000 (7 complaints) and 2001 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Chevrolet Silverado?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,500 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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