2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 29 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 34% of its 85 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 97,000. A related recall, 24V797000, covers transmission control module software.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 29
- 34% of 85
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 97,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden, unintended downshifts (8th to 7th or 6th gear) that lock the rear wheels and cause loss of control at highway speed.
- Some describe the transmission shifting out of drive on its own while stopped, with the vehicle unable to re-engage drive despite the shifter working.
- Several complaints describe transmission cooling lines separating at the crimp connection, dumping fluid and leaving the truck stranded.
- Owners towing trailers report violent shudders followed by abrupt downshifts, in one case identified by a dealer as a valve body failure.
- One owner reported rear wheels seizing at 55-60 mph twice, later linked by the dealer to NHTSA recall campaign 24V797000.
- Others describe a rough 'kick' during gear shifts along with intermittent total loss of power as if the truck slipped into neutral.
When 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 16, 2022, latest Sep 23, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
- 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.
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 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
- NHTSA lists 29 transmission & powertrain complaints for this model year, which is 34% of all 85 complaints filed for the 2021 Silverado 2500.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
- Yes. Recall 24V797000, reported 2024-10-24, covers 2020-2022 Silverado 2500 trucks among other GM models and involves installing new transmission control module software.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 97,000 at the time of failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on this model year.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to these transmission complaints?
- NHTSA records zero crashes and one injury among the 2021 Silverado 2500 complaints in this problem area.