The Lemon IndexThe transmission computer found its own problem and asked for the check engine light. Full P0700 page
23 owner complaints · the #3 code GMC Sierra owners name · 11% of GMC Sierra complaints that name a code (every car: 1.7%)
2014–2025 GMC Sierra · most: 2023 (6), 2016 (4), 2017 (3)
GMC Sierra owners named P0700 in 23 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2023, 2016 and 2017 model years. The part they name most is the transmission (replaced or rebuilt) (4 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
GMC Sierra model years that report P0700
Owner complaints naming P0700, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the transmission (replaced or rebuilt), in 4 of the 23 complaints (17%). 4 of those mention it being replaced or repaired. Next: valve body or shift solenoid (4).
- Transmission replaced or rebuilt4 complaints4 mention a repair or replacement · what GMC Sierra owners paid
- Valve body or shift solenoid4 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement · what owners paid
6 complaints mention a recall and 4 mention a warranty.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P0700
61% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Loses power or goes into limp mode35%8 of 23 complaints
- Transmission slips or shifts hard26%6 of 23 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off13%3 of 23 complaints
- Brakes or ABS act up13%3 of 23 complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults9%2 of 23 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0700 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
Other codes named in the same GMC Sierra complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
GMC Sierra transmission replacement cost
Recalls on these GMC Sierra years
- Transmission & drivetrain · 2020, 2022 · issued 2026
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up. NHTSA 26V083000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2020, 2022 · issued 2024
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up. NHTSA 24V797000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2020 · issued 2020
One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving. NHTSA 20V650000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2014 · issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input. NHTSA 14V374000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2014 · issued 2014
The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting. NHTSA 14V152000
5 recalls for the same systems (powertrain) on the GMC Sierra model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0700. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0700: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- GMC Sierra reliability by year
- 2023 GMC Sierra problems and recalls
Other codes GMC Sierra owners report
P0700 on other cars
Chevrolet Silverado (32) · GMC Acadia (12) · Chevrolet Equinox (11)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P0700 means
The transmission computer found its own problem and asked for the check engine light. Another transmission code with the details is usually stored too.
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
- A second transmission code that says what failed (the transmission computer has to be read for it)
- Low or old transmission fluid
- A shift solenoid or sensor fault
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11753659, 11748895, 11740403, 11723417, 11711114, 11705815, 11698192, 11676015, 11675213, 11668939, 11642313, 11639784 and 11 more.
Quick answers
What does P0700 mean on a GMC Sierra?
Transmission Control System Malfunction. The transmission computer found its own problem and asked for the check engine light. Another transmission code with the details is usually stored too.
Which GMC Sierra years have the most P0700 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2023 (6), 2016 (4), 2017 (3) GMC Sierra named P0700 most (23 complaints in all, 2014–2025). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0700 on a GMC Sierra?
Owners most often name the transmission (replaced or rebuilt) (4 of 23 complaints), then valve body or shift solenoid. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
Can I drive my GMC Sierra with P0700?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P0700 on the GMC Sierra, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.