2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 38%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 38% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Dealership told me the throttle body failed in my transmission. I wanted it completely torn down to find the actual point of failure since it did represent the current recall on the truck that hadn't been done because the part isn't yet available. The transmission has been replaced for almost $10,000.00”
NHTSA complaint #11632943, filed 2024-12“Transmission lock up traveling 45 miles an hour while acceleration up modest uphill grade pulling a 3000 pound trailer. The lockup was severe enough to cause passengers to lunge forward with seatbelt engagement. There was no loss of control of the vehicle; however, we did stop the vehicle to inspect it with no damage observed. We expected to see some. This event would have caused a likely loss of control of the vehicle if the lockup was for longer duration. Vehicle also had prior hard shifts that are still occurring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11624953, filed 2024-11“Since buying the vehicle I’ve had issues with the truck going into limp mode with codes p0700 as well as p0747. I have taken it to the dealership twice now, when it has arrived the codes were no longer there. Every time the truck went into limp mode the transmission would get stuck into 5th gear stuck at 45 mph. The problem with the truck started at 48,000 miles, the truck currently has 60,000 miles and the problem has been more active. With the dealership not wanting to resolve the issue the truck was taken to another shop to try to fix the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11748501, filed 2026-07“I recieved a recall notice from Chevrolet stating they needed to install a software update to the truck which will warn if a potential rear wheel lock up is about to occur due to faulty transmission valve body- which was stated that they do not have a fix for. After software update was installed- I was driving about 35 mile per hour on the trip home, and the truck abruptly downshifted very hard, momentarily locking up rear wheels, and the check engine light came on, and the vehicle message came up stating the vehicle was placed in a reduced propulsion mode(limp mode). …”
NHTSA complaint #11657965, filed 2025-04“While driving at highway speed in my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Duramax, the transmission suddenly failed and locked up without warning. This caused an immediate loss of vehicle function and created a dangerous situation while traveling in traffic. I had my two children in the vehicle at the time. I was able to safely maneuver the truck to the shoulder, but the vehicle was no longer operable and required towing. This failure occurred only a few months after a transmission replacement and follows prior transmission repairs, including a valve body replacement performed by a GM dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11714523, filed 2026-01Related recalls
- 26V083000Feb 12, 2026General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra…Covers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2020, GMC Sierra 1500 2020–2022, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2020–2022 +3 more
- 24V797000Oct 24, 2024General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade…Covers: Chevrolet Silverado 3500 2020–2022, GMC Sierra 2500 2020–2022, Sierra 3500 2020–2022 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 11024189Oct 9, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
- 11026024Jun 3, 2025This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible 10L100 transmission noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern noted.
- 11020259May 8, 2025This technical bulletin provides a procedure to inspect the front pump of the transmission for a possible leak.
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11017255Mar 25, 2025This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering…
- 11013150Jan 28, 2025Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011880Dec 17, 2024Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
- 11011826Dec 13, 2024Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
- 11011780Dec 12, 2024Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve. The effects can cause…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 25% |
| 2024 | 15 | 29% |
| 2023 | 10 | 63% |
| 2022 | 3 | 11% |
| 2021 | 7 | 17% |
| 2020 | 16 | 38% |
| 2019 | 5 | 23% |
| 2018 | 2 | 11% |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% |
| 2016 | 3 | 6% |
| 2015 | 5 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 19% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2011 | 5 | 17% |
| 2007 | 3 | 8% |
| 2006 | 9 | 17% |
| 2005 | 4 | 9% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 10% |
| 2002 | 3 | 6% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 3 | 6% |
| 1998 | 5 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology