Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 414 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 across 31 model years. The 2024 model year has the most (36). The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (9% of reports).
- 414power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 11mention a crash
- 5mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $4,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 46%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.
- Transfer case: mentioned in 37 of 414 complaints (9%)
- Valve body: mentioned in 30 of 414 complaints (7%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 27 of 414 complaints (7%)
- Transmission cooler: mentioned in 22 of 414 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 2500 at $4,900, and half of them between $2,450 and $6,850.
Based on 18 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2026), 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 231 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 414 complaints, 11 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 5 an injury.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Silverado 2500 | 2 | 20% | 1,100 |
| 2025 Silverado 2500 | 10 | 34% | 42,000 |
| 2024 Silverado 2500 | 36 | 25% | 54,000 |
| 2023 Silverado 2500 | 17 | 36% | 83,000 |
| 2022 Silverado 2500 | 19 | 20% | 69,000 |
| 2021 Silverado 2500 | 30 | 34% | 97,000 |
| 2020 Silverado 2500 | 33 | 31% | 81,381 |
| 2019 Silverado 2500 | 9 | 12% | 3,400 |
| 2018 Silverado 2500 | 6 | 11% | 27,600 |
| 2017 Silverado 2500 | 9 | 17% | 16,720 |
| 2016 Silverado 2500 | 18 | 15% | 65,800 |
| 2015 Silverado 2500 | 20 | 11% | 51,000 |
| 2014 Silverado 2500 | 5 | 13% | 55,600 |
| 2013 Silverado 2500 | 4 | 8% | 170,000 |
| 2012 Silverado 2500 | 5 | 9% | 12,000 |
| 2011 Silverado 2500 | 10 | 10% | 61,000 |
| 2010 Silverado 2500 | 2 | 10% | 81,500 |
| 2009 Silverado 2500 | 2 | 3% | 26,618 |
| 2008 Silverado 2500 | 14 | 7% | 53,700 |
| 2007 Silverado 2500 | 21 | 10% | 48,225 |
| 2006 Silverado 2500 | 32 | 18% | 41,775 |
| 2005 Silverado 2500 | 21 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2004 Silverado 2500 | 15 | 4% | 85,882 |
| 2003 Silverado 2500 | 30 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2002 Silverado 2500 | 12 | 3% | 92,000 |
| 2001 Silverado 2500 | 19 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2000 Silverado 2500 | 7 | 5% | 108,500 |
| 1999 Silverado 2500 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1998 Silverado 2500 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 1997 Silverado 2500 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Silverado 2500 | 1 | 33% | 129,023 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software; power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
Model years: 2020
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: 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.
Vehicle braking does not work- since new- dealer said it was funcitioning- sometimes you will get the warning and other times it does not and it never brakes. Transmission- i received a letter to bring truck in to have a software update for modulator valve wear....which was performed...since that…
- Multiple system failure. Truck presented with oil or ATF leaking from the transmission bell housing and transmission inspection port cover. First detected by me at 30k mile oil change. Prior to this, my wife and I both complained that the truck was very slow to get into gear from a stop…
Pulling out from a stop sign, a loud bang came from the transmission, and rear wheels momentarily locked up then truck acted like it was in neutral. Truck was able to drift to side of road. We called our GM dealer, and they told us that our warranty had expired. We had the truck towed to our…
While driving on the highway our transmission cooling line completely separated at rubber hose to metal line crimp. This cause transmission fluid to burst out all over the vehicle including the windshield and trailer. Vehicle immediately stopped pulling and we barely were able to get to the side of…
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the transmission shuddered and hesitated while driving 55 MPH or at higher speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was no longer in business. While driving at various speeds, the lifters were…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Silverado 2500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 414 owner complaints about power train for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500. 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 2500 power train?
Yes: 3 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 2500?
Owners report a typical cost of $4,900 (half paid between $2,450 and $6,850), from 18 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 37 of 414 complaints, followed by “valve body” (30).
Other Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems
- Electrical System problems (700)
- Service Brakes problems (670)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (592)
- Air Bags problems (369)
- Steering problems (276)
- Engine problems (236)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (229)
- Structure problems (163)
See all Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems.