Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have a transmission recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, 26V083000 and 24V797000, covering transmission control software updates and a valve body issue that can cause sudden rear-wheel lockup.

How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Silverado 3500?

NHTSA data shows 16 of the 42 total complaints for this model year, or 38%, fall under Transmission & Powertrain, the highest share of any Silverado 3500 year listed.

At what mileage do these transmission failures happen?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 40,000 miles.

Is the rear-wheel lockup issue dangerous?

NHTSA records one crash and no fires or injuries tied to this problem area for the 2020 Silverado 3500, though owners describe abrupt lockups at highway speed as hazardous.

What is GM's fix for the transmission lockup?

Per the recall remedies, dealers install updated transmission control module software and, in one case, update the transmission control software, both free of charge.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 16 of 42 total complaints (38%) on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles. Two related recalls (26V083000 and 24V797000) address transmission control software and valve body defects tied to sudden rear-wheel lockup.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 16; 38% of 42
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 40,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report sudden rear-wheel lock-up while driving at highway speeds, sometimes while towing, which can force the vehicle to pull over or shift into limp mode.
Some describe the transmission suddenly failing to engage gears or losing propulsion entirely, requiring the truck to be towed.
Several owners tie their symptoms directly to the valve body defect covered by GM Recall 24V-797, saying the wear caused rear-wheel lockup or limp mode.
Owners report the truck getting stuck in a single gear, such as 5th gear at 45 mph, with trouble codes P0700 and P0747 appearing and disappearing.
One owner reported repeated DEF heater and tank failures that triggered limp mode and reduced speed.

When 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 13, 2024, latest Aug 17, 2026.

16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2024 to Aug 2026; peak Dec 2024 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Silverado 3500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20100 (0%)
20115 (17%)
20121 (4%)
20135 (19%)
20140 (0%)
20155 (10%)
20163 (6%)
20172 (15%)
20182 (11%)
20195 (23%)
202016 (38%)
20217 (18%)
20223 (11%)
20239 (60%)
202415 (31%)
20253 (25%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have a transmission recall?: Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, 26V083000 and 24V797000, covering transmission control software updates and a valve body issue that can cause sudden rear-wheel lockup.
How common are transmission problems on the 2020 Silverado 3500?: NHTSA data shows 16 of the 42 total complaints for this model year, or 38%, fall under Transmission & Powertrain, the highest share of any Silverado 3500 year listed.
At what mileage do these transmission failures happen?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 40,000 miles.
Is the rear-wheel lockup issue dangerous?: NHTSA records one crash and no fires or injuries tied to this problem area for the 2020 Silverado 3500, though owners describe abrupt lockups at highway speed as hazardous.
What is GM's fix for the transmission lockup?: Per the recall remedies, dealers install updated transmission control module software and, in one case, update the transmission control software, both free of charge.