I own a 2020 GMC sierra AT4. It has developed a shudder when cruising on the highway or driving in town around 1500rpm. I believe it is coming from the transmission. A local shop mentioned the torque converter. The shudder feels like a delay in power and makes it difficult to hold speed or accelerate when needed.
2020 GMC Sierra 1500: shudder or vibration when accelerating
11 of the 484 complaints about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 describe shudder or vibration when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 132 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Shudder or vibration when accelerating by model year
What owners say
My truck shudders when driving. It has 78,000 miles on it. It started shuttering around 73,000 miles. I baby my truck and don't do switch backs or hot rod around.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for a transmission fluid flush and refill, the contact was informed that the transmission was inoperable, and the vehicle could not be driven to the residence. The dealer determined that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the torque converter and advised the contact to drive over 1,000 miles for the issue to self-correct. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to shudder and drive bumpy while driving after 1,000 miles. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the torque converter was replaced a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the diagnostic test results were sent to the warranty company for the transmission replacement approval. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,165.
While driving on the interstate at 70 mph, the transmission began to shudder. It continued the duration of the trip of 90 mins. Following day, the transmission is continuing to shudder and is now shifting hard.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced rough gear shifts. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle due to a lack of diagnostic equipment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
I had the rear wheel recall done not long ago and 2 days ago my transmission shuddered.
Transmission has slipped and shuddered multiple times. We have had it diagnosed at gmc dealership and our mechanic, advising that it is 8L90 transmission failure. It will slip to lower gear abruptly, causing for possible safety issues especially on the highways.
I have taken my vehicle to 3 seperate mechanics (GMC, AAMCO and Independent). They all agree that my valve body inside the transmission must be replaced. The problem is that valve bodies are on a national back order and cannot be fullfilled for months, putting my transmission at risk for further failure. Reading online forums, there are many GMC owners facing this same issue. The mechanics at GMC are requesting that I change out my entire transmission, since that will be a quicker solution than waiting months for that valve body. Now, I am being told that they are having difficulty locating an original manufactured transmission. This puts me in a serious bind because my truck is my only vehicle and there are no valve bodies or transmissions to fix this issue. My truck is only a 2020 and I just surpassed 100k miles. There were no dashboard warning lights that indicated my trucks problem. Only the fact that my truck is shuddering when shifting gears and that a diagnostic tool had to find the source of the problem. This problem started about 5 months ago and has progressivly gotten worse.
2020 GMC Sierra "Denali" 6.2L engine with only 64,000 all original well maintained at miles -- NO prior issues no unusual sounds or indications of any issues. Vehicle has had timely maintenance regularly. engine lost power and began shuddering severely. Immediately taken to GM certified dealership upon which charged almost $1600.00 for engine analysis. Diagnosis is cylinder # 5 had lifter collapse which in turn ruined the camshaft. Will have to wait 4 weeks for parts and since GM power train warranty (conveniently) only covers first 60,000 miles the total engine rebuild is out of my pocket. Total price $9,741.11. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND GM NEEDS TO REPAIR OR REIMBURSE EVERY SINGLE OWNER THAT EXPERIENCES THIS ISSUE IN FULL. I think GM knew about this issues and hopes it will go away but this really pisses me and SHOULD everyone else too.
There has been a recall on the 2020 sierra 1500 for the driveshaft which causes shuddering and vibration which my vehicle is exibiting but my vin is not on the recall list
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to Gilland Chevrolet GMC (3071 N US Hwy 231, Ozark, AL 36360) where the contact was informed that the vehicle already had new transmission fluid filled in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within...
- This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases
- Power train
- This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern...
- This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage...
- Power train
- Condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within...
- This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on February 12, 2026.
Recall number 26V083000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Recall number 24V797000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
- Risk
- If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.
Recall number 20V650000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 shudder
Is shudder or vibration when accelerating a common problem on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
11 of 484 owner complaints about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 (2%) mention shudder or vibration when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
There are 3 recalls and 132 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
Engine failure 86Check engine light 85Loss of power 54Knocking 50Misfire 26Transmission failure 20Won't shift 19Stalling 18Power steering loss 15Won't start 15Brake failure 14Warning lights 12ABS 11Fuel pump 11Harsh shifting 11Backup camera 10Jerking 10Oil consumption 10Ball joint 9Fire or smoke 9Hesitation 9Adaptive cruise 7Water leak 7Headlights 5
VIN decoder
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