GMC Sierra 2500 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the GMC Sierra 2500 across 27 model years. The 2024 model year has the most (27). The words owners use most often: “valve body” (10% of reports).
- 202power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $3,700typical repair cost reported by owners
- 40%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.
- Valve body: mentioned in 21 of 202 complaints (10%)
- Limp mode: mentioned in 19 of 202 complaints (9%)
- Transmission control: mentioned in 15 of 202 complaints (7%)
- Transfer case: mentioned in 12 of 202 complaints (6%)
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 GMC Sierra 2500 at $3,700, and half of them between $2,800 and $7,950.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2025), 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 96 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 202 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury.
GMC Sierra 2500 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 2500 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2025 Sierra 2500 | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 27 | 25% | 50,000 |
| 2023 Sierra 2500 | 20 | 61% | 33,500 |
| 2022 Sierra 2500 | 5 | 12% | 18,334 |
| 2021 Sierra 2500 | 13 | 25% | 50,000 |
| 2020 Sierra 2500 | 24 | 31% | 114,000 |
| 2019 Sierra 2500 | 2 | 6% | 15,000 |
| 2018 Sierra 2500 | 3 | 9% | 9,664 |
| 2017 Sierra 2500 | 6 | 16% | 46,000 |
| 2016 Sierra 2500 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2015 Sierra 2500 | 8 | 9% | 7,000 |
| 2014 Sierra 2500 | 3 | 10% | 15,000 |
| 2013 Sierra 2500 | 5 | 11% | 118,116 |
| 2012 Sierra 2500 | 4 | 13% | 126,697 |
| 2011 Sierra 2500 | 6 | 10% | 148,096 |
| 2008 Sierra 2500 | 3 | 5% | 71,800 |
| 2007 Sierra 2500 | 2 | 2% | 137,500 |
| 2006 Sierra 2500 | 12 | 18% | 34,250 |
| 2005 Sierra 2500 | 7 | 6% | 65,000 |
| 2004 Sierra 2500 | 9 | 6% | 71,500 |
| 2003 Sierra 2500 | 13 | 8% | 42,000 |
| 2002 Sierra 2500 | 14 | 10% | 75,000 |
| 2001 Sierra 2500 | 6 | 4% | 90,300 |
| 2000 Sierra 2500 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 1999 Sierra 2500 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 1998 Sierra 2500 | 3 | 20% | 169,642 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly shifted out of first gear and the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that…
A dealer "fixed" the P20EE code on this date, then the code came back a week later. Same dealer said they don't have qualified diesel technician, took vehicle to a 2nd dealer 9/22/2025, unable to determine cause of code. On 6/18/2026 same P20EE code came on again, took to dealer, dealer able to…
While driving vehicle flashed engine power reduction signal and then the emergency brake automatic feature came on abruptly. Fortunately, I had been able to slow down after the reduced power, but if I wouldn't have quickly reacted to that, I think the emergency brake system would have caused a…
driving down the road going to and intersection the dash says I received a Service ESC message followed by a Reduced Acceleration warning on the center display. I also had the forward collision, traction control and check engine lights come on. I also noticed the shudder/jerk. The truck is giving a…
While driving my truck on the highway at 65 mph the truck bucked hard and immediately downshifted into 2nd gear. This caused me to rapidly decelerate to approximately 40 mph, I am lucky there was not another vehicle behind me when this happened since rapid unexpected deceleration without brake…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 2500s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 202 owner complaints about power train for the GMC Sierra 2500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sierra 2500 power train?
Yes: 2 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 GMC Sierra 2500?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,700 (half paid between $2,800 and $7,950), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the GMC Sierra 2500?
The most frequent phrase is “valve body”, in 21 of 202 complaints, followed by “limp mode” (19).
Other GMC Sierra 2500 problems
- Electrical System problems (292)
- Service Brakes problems (252)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (238)
- Air Bags problems (169)
- Steering problems (132)
- Engine problems (128)
See all GMC Sierra 2500 problems.