2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 33 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 31% of its 108 total complaints. Median mileage at failure is 81,381 miles, and three related recalls cover transmission control software and driveshaft welds.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 33
- 31% of 108
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 81,381 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report the transmission fluid leaking from the rear of the vehicle at highway speed, followed by sudden loss of motive power and smoke near the rear axle area.
- Some drivers describe the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into four-wheel drive on its own while driving, damaging the front end, differential, and axle.
- Owners report the transmission slipping or failing to change gears without warning, sometimes causing the vehicle to stall and require a restart.
- A transmission oil cooler line reportedly separated at a crimp joint, spraying fluid onto the hot exhaust and causing an immediate loss of propulsion while merging onto a highway.
- One owner reported the truck shifting from Park to Drive on its own while idling and unoccupied in a driveway.
- Owners also report accelerator pedal input not producing a response, with hesitation when trying to shift into Drive after restarting.
When 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Feb 24, 2021, latest Sep 21, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
- 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 2500 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 2500?
- NHTSA records 33 transmission & powertrain complaints for this year, making up 31% of all 108 complaints filed for the 2020 Silverado 2500.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
- Yes. Three recalls tied to the transmission & powertrain are listed: 26V083000, 24V797000, and 20V650000, covering transmission control software updates and a driveshaft weld issue.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure among reported transmission & powertrain complaints for this year is 81,381 miles.
- Have transmission issues caused crashes or fires?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2020 Silverado 2500 lists 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.