The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Silverado · Transmission

Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems by year.

Worst years for transmission complaints per car sold: 2019 (277 complaints), 2017 (213 complaints), 2020 (212 complaints). Fewest since 2010: 2025, 2012, 2013.

Chevrolet Silverado
Photo shows a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.

What owners describe

Hard or jerky shifting20%
Shudder13%
Slipping9%
Delay or hesitation8%
Lost power while driving8%
Transmission replaced6%

Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.

Transmission and power train recalls

  • 2022 2024

    The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

  • 2022 2026

    The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.

  • 2020 2020

    One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.

  • 2005 2005

    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 TRA…

  • 2000 2005

    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.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

In owners' words

8l90 automatic transmission will lurch forward abruptly when shifting from 1-2 gear. Also, hard shift from 1-2 when cold.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint

While accelerating vehicle has a hitch and/or grinding sound like the transmission is slipping and/or can’t get in gear.

2019 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint

Quick answers

Which Chevrolet Silverado years have transmission problems?

By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Chevrolet Silverado years are 2019, 2017, 2020.

What are common Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems?

Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, shudder, slipping.

Which Chevrolet Silverado years have the fewest transmission complaints?

Since 2010, the Chevrolet Silverado years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2025, 2012, 2013.

See every problem, not just the transmission: Chevrolet Silverado reliability by year. How we count

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data