The Chevy Silverado 1500 Struggles With Transmission Problems
There seems to be a link between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and transmission problems. This is made even more concerning because the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has dropping reliability scores as complaints increase. Are the transmission problems serious?
Does the Chevy Silverado 1500 have transmission problems?
Transmission problems have been looming for the Chevy Silverado during the past few years. In fact, a lawsuit emerged claiming that older Chevy Silverado models are dangerous to drive.
Reportedly, from 2012 to 2019, Silverado models faced transmission problems that never received a proper fix or solution. Allegedly, Chevrolet new about the issue and has issued over 60 TSBs since 2013.
The 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatic transmissions have a lot in common, but the 8L45 is lighter and less common. The 8L90 is more popular because it’s more robust. It can be used in FWD, RWD, an AWD applications.
However, both transmission options seem to be prone to erratic and dangerous behavior, such as shuddering, shaking, hesitation, clunking, and hard shifts.
UPDATE: These eight-speed automatic transmission options have been in use from 2019 to 2023. In 2024, the Silverado 1500 is getting a revised Hydra-matic 8L80 transmission. More powerful engines in the lineup will be paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.
2017 Silverado transmission problems
The 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 90 transmission problems reported on Car Complaints. The most common issues with the transmission were surges and jerking.
One driver didn’t notice any issues until a few weeks after buying their Silverado. When the transmission surges presented themselves, the driver went to a dealership and was told that the truck needed to learn their driving habits.
They said to bring it back if the problem still occurred in a few weeks to fix the torque converter. The driver did as instructed but was then told that the automatic 4WD caused the issue, and switching it to 2WD should fix the problem.
Another driver had their transmission replaced when their truck only had about 66,000 miles on it. The replacement wasn’t covered under warranty and cost about $3,000. They were frustrated because their transmission didn’t last longer than two years and four months.
Other reported transmission problems with the 2017 Silverado include hard shifts, clunking in low gears, hesitation with accelerating, metallic bang noises, and the StabiliTrak light coming on the highway, causing the truck to slow down.
Transmission problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado
If you skip ahead to the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500, you will find 17 transmission problems in five categories, according to Car Complaints.
This is an improvement from 90 reported issues with the 2017 Silverado model. However, more 2019 Silverado transmission problems may be reported as the trucks pass the 100,000-mile mark.
The most common transmission issue includes slamming into gear. One driver noticed that their Silverado 1500 slammed into first and second gear after a slight pause that allowed the engine to rev.
Another driver noticed that their truck slammed from reverse into drive. Others noted that the truck would surge forward upon lightly accelerating and that grinding noises were present.
Meanwhile, if you go back and look at previous Silverado models on Car Complaints, there are even more reports of transmission problems.
Two prominent examples are the 2017 Silverado, with 90 transmission problems reported, and the 2014 Silverado, with 28 transmission problems reported.
According to GM Authority, General Motors began using a new type of Mobile 1 automatic transmission fluid to correct shifting problems in 2019. Also, a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) was released that addresses torque converter clutch (TCC) shudder conditions for the 8-speed GM transmission.
So, a fluid flush or replacing the TCC could be the answer for Silverado 1500 truck drivers who still have transmission problems. However, it’s currently unclear if the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 models have the same problems as the previous years.
