2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
Transmission & powertrain complaints account for 225 of 730 total complaints (31%) on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles. Three related recalls cover transmission control software and a driveshaft weld defect.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 225
- 31% of 730
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the engine unexpectedly restarting and the vehicle lurching forward while stopped with a foot still on the brake, tied to the auto stop/start system.
- Owners describe a shudder, slip, or hard shift concentrated between 1st and 2nd gear on the 8-speed transmission, sometimes appearing by 4,000 miles.
- Some drivers felt a rumble-strip-like vibration through the drivetrain in a narrow speed band around 60-65 mph that comes and goes.
- A handful of owners report the truck losing throttle response at highway speed after an "engine power reduced" warning and check engine light.
- Owners noted the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral on its own while driving downhill, requiring a restart to regain normal operation.
- Some owners heard a hard clunk when shifting into reverse.
When 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 20, 2020, latest Sep 16, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- NHTSA 26V083000Feb 12, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,055 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 20V650000Oct 22, 2020Transmission & Powertrain42 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Remedy: 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Silverado 1500 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems in the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- NHTSA data shows 225 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Silverado 1500, which is 31% of the 730 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
- Yes. NHTSA lists recall 24V797000 covering transmission control module software and recall 26V083000 addressing incorrect prior repairs under a related campaign, both affecting the 2020 Silverado 1500.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2020 Silverado 1500 is 60,000 miles, though some sample complaints describe issues appearing as early as a few thousand miles.
- Is the 2020 Silverado 1500's 31% transmission complaint share high compared to other years?
- It's near the middle of the range seen across model years, which run from 3% to 33%; 2018 had the highest share at 33% and 2011 the lowest at 3%.
- Do transmission issues involve crashes or fires?
- NHTSA records 0 crashes tied to transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Silverado 1500, but 2 fires and 0 injuries are listed among the broader complaint set.