2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Powertrain (other) Problems

My 10L1000 transmission had a catastrophic failure internally which caused it to rough shift, sudden down shifting, not want to shift into gear at all, and high engine rpm prior to roughly shifting. I took it to the Chevy dealers mechanic the very next business day, only to find out that from the mechanic that this is a common occurrence with Chevy transmissions in my truck and google also verified this to be a common problem. The mechanic from the Chevy dealership also stated that there was larger metal chunks than normal. My truck is available for inspection asap. The manufacturer and vin lookup contradicts the mechanic and google stating no issues or recalls for my transmission. After speaking with the manufacturer, I became highly concerned due to their unwillingness to address the obvious issues known by so many. If I wasn’t such a safe driver and immediately brought it to the mechanic, this could have caused a terrible accident leading to extreme bodily harm or death even. According to a quick google search of the 2021 Chevy 2500 transmission problems and my mechanic this is a well known problem even though Chevy manufacturers refuse to acknowledge the issue or implement a recall. There was zero warning lights or lamps to indicate this problem. I am extremely concerned with the manufacturer’s response to my concerns and their unwillingness to correct this issue before it cost someone their life. This catastrophic failure with the transmission having metal shavings throughout it and extreme damage to the transmission valve body and being well known and reported by many other customers has to be addressed. Chevy’s unwillingness to acknowledge people’s claims in this has left me with around $10,000 in monetary damages and could have lead to bodily harm or death if I would have been traveling on a main highway or interstate when it occurred. At the very least Chevy needs to be held responsible for this known and reported issue before it causes death or injury.

NHTSA ID

11752243

Incident

Jun 29, 2026

Operator of this vehicle was commuting and truck started to slow down and chug. Vehicle hesitated when operator applied gas pedal. -Transmission cooler inlet/outlet pipe as per Chevrolet known issues. -Safety of driver at risk as failure happened in heavy traffic, unable to pull to safety -Yes confirmed by authorized repair facility -Part inspected by authorized mechanic. -No warnings, symptoms, prior to failure.

NHTSA ID

11725594

Incident

Mar 18, 2026

While traveling at highway speed on the interstate in my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD (approx. 120,000 miles), the vehicle experienced a sudden hard jolt followed by a momentary rear wheel lockup. This occurred without warning. Immediately after, the transmission defaulted into a fail-safe condition and became locked in 4th gear. The vehicle would move but could not shift properly, resulting in abnormally high RPM and engine load at highway speeds. I was forced to continue driving several miles in this condition to reach a safe exit. The unexpected drivetrain behavior and temporary wheel lockup created a serious safety risk, including potential loss of control and risk of collision. The dealership identified transmission diagnostic trouble codes P2715 and P2733 (pressure control solenoid performance). Transmission fluid was found to be burnt and contaminated with metal debris. The vehicle is subject to GM Special Coverage N242454441 for a known control valve body defect that can cause harsh shifting and reduced engine power. Although code P0747 (referenced in the bulletin) was not present, the failure involved transmission hydraulic pressure control. The dealership is replacing the valve body under the special coverage but is not addressing the internal transmission damage, stating they cannot determine whether the damage resulted from the covered defect. The sudden rear wheel lockup and transmission fail-safe condition at highway speed present a significant safety concern involving unintended drivetrain behavior.

NHTSA ID

11720857

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete transmission failure at approximately 77,800 miles. There was no prior abuse or modification. The failure resulted in loss of normal drivability and required full transmission replacement. The transmission was replaced with a remanufactured unit due to catastrophic internal failure. Repair costs were approximately $7,000. I am aware of similar GM transmission issues and recalls affecting comparable model years and components. Although my VIN is not currently listed under a recall, the failure appears consistent with known GM transmission defect patterns. The failure occurred while the vehicle was in the middle of an intersection in heavy traffic, resulting in sudden loss of vehicle functionality. A child passenger was onboard at the time. The incident created a significant safety hazard due to loss of drivability in an active traffic environment.

NHTSA ID

11717291

Incident

Nov 9, 2025

first issue was around April-May 2025 when my engine started knocking and burning fuel. Warning light came on and it went right in to the dealer where I have all my maintenance done. They determined that it due to (2) faulty fuel injectors and I had them replaced at that time. In December of 2025 my engine started doing the same thing as before with the knocking and burning fuel and reduced speeds when on the highway so again it went into the dealer. It has since been in there and first was told it was the fuel injector again. They priced out the one was bad and I asked them to replace the remaining 6 fuel injectors so I didn't have this issue again in the near future. They did and the vehicle had the same issues going on. During the next inspection it was determined that the engine needed new rocker arms. These were replaced but this also did not solve the problem and the vehicle would not pass the regeneration on the engine. During the next inspection it was determined that we needed to replace a cylinder and one of the valves. After this was complete they were still having issues and then I was told that the Piston was bad and there are (2) bad valves so I need an entire engine replacement. My truck only has 130,000 miles and has been in the shop for almost 2 months last year from engine issues and it has had all maintenance completed at he same dealership with Records.

NHTSA ID

11711815

Incident

Dec 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while slowing down and coming to a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed while in drive; however, the vehicle started to roll backwards. The contact depressed the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards, and the RPM became elevated to 5,000 RPM. The contact immediately turned off the vehicle to prevent the RPM from continuing to increase. The vehicle was shifted to park, restarted, and then shifted to drive(D) and the brakes released. While releasing the brake pedal, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was immediately turned off and towed to the residence. The dealer was informed of the failure of the clutch pack, which was welded together from friction. The dealer scheduled an appointment; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11698898

Incident

Nov 7, 2025

Mileage

100,000 mi

In December of 2024 Safety Recall N2424440-01 was applied. On the morning of Saturday August 23, 2025 while driving on a two (2) lane highway with the cruise control set to 60 MPH the vehicle “shuttered” then the shifted into a lower gear locking the rear wheels bringing the vehicle to an almost complete stop in very short distance. I was able to pull off the road out of traffic. Since it was a light traffic morning, no one else was close limiting the risk to me. Had there been anyone behind me they would have been caught off guard by the sudden stop with no signal of brake lights showing. The vehicle is in “limp mode” and will not exceed 35 or 40 MPH. The vehicle will shift in to park and neutral. It will not move in reverse forward. The vehicle has been transported to the nearest Chevrolet dealership for diagnostics and service.

NHTSA ID

11682687

Incident

Aug 23, 2025

GM has acknowledged the problem and has issued a recall on transmissions effecting 2020 – 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 Heavy Duty trucks equipped with diesel engines manufactured between January 28, 2019 – January 11, 2022. Our truck, a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, was taken in to D’arcy Chevrolet in Morris, IL to have Recall N242454440 – Momentary rear wheel lock-up – Transmission and Engine Control Module Programming with SP. Under this recall 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. After the recall service was performed we were told by the dealership that the transmission needed to be replaced. It clearly states under the recall performed that GM is to provide special coverage to cover repairs that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Also, by law, dealers are never to charge for recall repairs. But GM and the D’Arcy Chevrolet are refusing to cover the repair costs for the transmission under special coverage program.

NHTSA ID

11679390

Incident

Jun 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the dealer had not called the contact back despite multiple calls to request an appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the recall remedy was a software update to limit the transmission and power output. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11675604

Incident

Oct 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) and 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11667159

Incident

Feb 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it remained for two months, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to John Elway Chevrolet (5200 S Broadway, Englewood, CO 80113), to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000(Power Train); however, after three months, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair would not be honored because the emission system had been removed from the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was towed to Patterson Custom Diesel, where the vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ID

11661130

Incident

Oct 15, 2024

Mileage

27,000 mi

My truck has been having the "Shift To Park" warning for quite a while now. Truck has roughly 72000 miles. Before it would happen intermediately, now it happens all the time. Often I have to leave my truck unlocked for long periods of time due to this malfunction. Hoping my battery will still have power to restart the next time. Reading and researching this issue online, it is a known fact that this is a widespread problem and GM needs to step up and issue a recall.

NHTSA ID

11658868

Incident

May 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that upon reaching his destination and shifting the vehicle into park, the vehicle failed to recognize that the gear shift lever had been moved to park (P). The contact stated that the "Please Shift to Park" message was displayed and the doors were unable to be locked. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11653956

Incident

Apr 10, 2025

Mileage

25,000 mi

I was driving with family on the highway when the rear wheels locked up causing seatbelts to lock up and abruptly stop violently.

NHTSA ID

11646228

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the recall repair was not adequate to address the failure and might present a risk of experiencing the failure. The local dealer was made aware of the issue but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but offered no information. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11641912

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

The current recall for the defective transmission valve does not address the safety issue with the vehicle. This a known issue with the truck and the transmission valve should be replaced rather than simply monitoring it. My safety and the vehicles I share the road may be at risk if the software upgrade limits the drivability while pulling a trailer on interstate highways. The life span of this vehicle is well beyond the allotted 150,000 miles of coverage and to not extend this "special coverage" beyond the original owner makes this a safety hazard to future owners of the vehicle as wellupgrade .GM is calling the software a "service correction" when in reality they are making no correction, just monitoring the problem.

NHTSA ID

11641432

Incident

Jan 29, 2025

In certain GMC and Chevrolet Models 2019 to 2025 it is common knowledge and easily found on the web that there is a manufacturer defect that does not allow the vehicle to be placed in “park” properly due to defective parts in the steering column that do not allow the vehicle to safely turn off fully. The module does not seat and the vehicle will remain on in auxiliary. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RTcX-j3R5OQ . Again the link is an example but this defect is rampant.

NHTSA ID

11640944

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, the rear wheels seized. The contact had to release the accelerator pedal to self-correct the failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); but was repaired. The contact stated while driving 25-30 MPH after the repair, the failure reoccurred a third time. The check engine warning light illuminated and the “Engine Power Reduced” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Chevrolet of Montebello (310 W Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640); but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 122,000.

NHTSA ID

11632119

Incident

Nov 23, 2024

Mileage

122,000 mi

While the truck is in motion and the transmission shifts gears it has a kick to it also it down shifts on its own and other times the truck loses all power like if it was in neutral

NHTSA ID

11630381

Incident

Feb 9, 2023

While stopped at a traffic light the transmission shifted out of drive without movement of the shift lever. Repeated attempts to reengage the transmission to drive by shifting into park and then drive was not successful. Reverse was not affected. Vehicle mileage is 57,700. No previous issues with the transmission. Truck was towed to the dealership for investigation and repair.

NHTSA ID

11613527

Incident

Sep 9, 2024

The transmission has a defect. While towing 8,000lb trailer going up a small grade, the truck shuddered then immediately downshifted violently, causing the truck to skid and almost jack-knifing the truck and trailer. . The dealership has confirmed the issue as a valve body failure in the transmission. The dealership has the vehicle for diagnosis and repair. No codes or warnings were displayed at the time of the incident. The dealership updated the software which produced a powertrain failure code, the valve body failed.

NHTSA ID

11610341

Incident

Jun 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle downshifted from 8th to 7th gear or from 8th to 6th gear, and the wheels locked up, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact stated that the safety risk was more severe while towing a trailer because the failure caused the trailer to fishtail while driving. The contact stated that he had pulled to the side of the road on one occasion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 21-NA-275. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11572953

Incident

Feb 20, 2024

Mileage

94,000 mi

The transmission fluid line that goes from the radiator to the cooler came apart at the crimp were the rubber and metal tube connect, this allowed all the transmission fluid to spray all over the motor while driving and leaving us stranded.

NHTSA ID

11566508

Incident

Jan 18, 2024

While driving down the road at 40mph the crimp connection for the transmission cooling line came apart and spilled all my transmission fluid out the power hose and left me stranded in the middle of the road.

NHTSA ID

11563860

Incident

Jan 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving uphill at an undisclosed speed with a trailer hitched to the vehicle, the vehicle downshifted inadvertently, which caused the trailer to fishtail. The contact stated that he lost control of the vehicle, and he was able to slowly regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11549447

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Mileage

110,000 mi