Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 2,508 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 across 30 model years. The 2019 model year has the most (329). The words owners use most often: “torque converter” (8% of reports).
- 2,508power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 35mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- $4,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 44%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Torque converter: mentioned in 203 of 2,508 complaints (8%)
- Valve body: mentioned in 136 of 2,508 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at $4,950, and half of them between $2,350 and $7,400.
Based on 75 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 924 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,508 complaints, 35 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 14 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Silverado 1500 | 24 | 21% | 900 |
| 2025 Silverado 1500 | 21 | 20% | 15,000 |
| 2024 Silverado 1500 | 95 | 30% | 10,900 |
| 2023 Silverado 1500 | 107 | 28% | 38,000 |
| 2022 Silverado 1500 | 187 | 29% | 59,555 |
| 2021 Silverado 1500 | 242 | 29% | 63,500 |
| 2020 Silverado 1500 | 232 | 31% | 61,200 |
| 2019 Silverado 1500 | 329 | 30% | 12,100 |
| 2018 Silverado 1500 | 171 | 33% | 30,000 |
| 2017 Silverado 1500 | 191 | 27% | 53,380 |
| 2016 Silverado 1500 | 194 | 24% | 60,000 |
| 2015 Silverado 1500 | 138 | 12% | 45,725 |
| 2014 Silverado 1500 | 154 | 11% | 65,000 |
| 2013 Silverado 1500 | 13 | 4% | 79,000 |
| 2012 Silverado 1500 | 10 | 5% | 119,000 |
| 2011 Silverado 1500 | 17 | 3% | 33,000 |
| 2010 Silverado 1500 | 24 | 7% | 44,589 |
| 2009 Silverado 1500 | 12 | 3% | 72,000 |
| 2008 Silverado 1500 | 25 | 3% | 42,000 |
| 2007 Silverado 1500 | 35 | 4% | 63,190 |
| 2006 Silverado 1500 | 28 | 8% | 47,500 |
| 2005 Silverado 1500 | 36 | 7% | 64,000 |
| 2004 Silverado 1500 | 27 | 3% | 67,500 |
| 2003 Silverado 1500 | 26 | 3% | 80,317 |
| 2002 Silverado 1500 | 26 | 5% | 70,600 |
| 2001 Silverado 1500 | 19 | 4% | 87,000 |
| 2000 Silverado 1500 | 16 | 3% | 142,500 |
| 1999 Silverado 1500 | 26 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 1998 Silverado 1500 | 26 | 7% | 67,312 |
| 1997 Silverado 1500 | 57 | 10% | 87,671 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)Do not drive
Model years: 2026
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software; power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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 NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body; power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Model years: 2019, 2020
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], I was driving my 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 RST (5.3L V8, 4WD), leased new on [XXX], with about 122 miles on the odometer. I came to a complete stop at a stop sign on an uphill grade at [XXX]. The Auto Stop/Start feature shut the engine off while I held the…
Vehicle comes to a stop sign on a low pitch hill. Driver releases the break and presses the gas portal to drive forward and vehicle begins rolling backwards. Driver looks down at the dash and sees a âpress start buttonâ message. Driver pressed start button and hears the engine come to life…
What failed: The automatic transmission on my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom 4WD, 2.7L turbo (VIN [XXX]). It has an intermittent shudder, a stuttering vibration felt through the truck, under light throttle and under load. The truck is in my possession and available for inspection on request…
Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Component: Powertrain â Automatic Transmission (8L90) Manufacturer: General Motors (Chevrolet) I am submitting this complaint regarding recurring transmission problems with my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with the GM 8L90 eight-speed automatic…
While driving, the vehicle shifted itself into Park without any driver input and the engine shut off. This has occurred on three occasions, first on May 24, 2026 at approximately 1,000 miles â three days after the vehicle was purchased new. It happened again at approximately 2,300 miles, and a…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 1500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,508 owner complaints about power train for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 power train?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,950 (half paid between $2,350 and $7,400), from 75 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “torque converter”, in 203 of 2,508 complaints, followed by “valve body” (136).
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
- Service Brakes problems (2,959)
- Electrical System problems (2,694)
- Engine problems (2,656)
- Air Bags problems (2,409)
- Steering problems (1,526)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (1,525)
- Structure problems (933)
- Suspension problems (520)
See all Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems.