Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, GM SUVs recall: wheels lock up

Tim Esterdahl

November 13, 2024

7 comments

Tim Esterdahl

November 13, 2024

7 comments

A new 2020-2022 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra and GM SUVs recall with diesel engines involves the wheels locking up due to a transmission issue. For those considering newer models like the 2024 GMC Sierra, this truck offers cutting-edge technology and reliability, ensuring a safer and more advanced driving experience.

Chevy, GMC trucks and GM SUVs recall

The recall, posted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website NHTSA.gov, reveals GM will 461,839 trucks and full-size SUVs.

These vehicles include:

2020-2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
2020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 Chevy Tahoe
2021 Chevy Suburban

GM says say a transmission control valve can wear out over time. In rare cases it can fail and lock up the rear wheels. Drivers may notice harsh shifting before any wheel problems.

The fix is for dealers to install new transmission control software that will monitor the valve and detect excess wear 10,000 miles before the wheels lock up. If wear is detected, the transmission will be limited to fifth gear, preventing wheel lockup, which happens when the transmission downshifts from eighth gear.

Interestingly, the recall only impacts diesel engines since, according to GM, they use a different transmission than gas engine vehicles.

This is interesting considering both the full-size trucks and SUVs gas and diesel use a 10-speed transmission, yet it appears the transmission itself is different.

Owners will be notified by mail with more information on the recall.

Tim Esterdahl

Automotive Journalist Tim Esterdahl has covered the industry since 2011 and has been featured in many national magazines and articles like CBS Sunday Morning, News Nation, MotorTrend, Boston Globe and others. He has won awards for his work and is recognized as a truck expert in his field. In his spare time, he is often found tinkering on his '62 C10 pickup, playing golf, going hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids in Nebraska.

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Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, GM SUVs recall: wheels lock up

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testerdahl

Administrator

2,716 messages 4,601 likes

Pinned Nov 13, 2024

A new 2020-2022 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra and GM SUVs recall with diesel engines involves the wheels locking up due to a transmission issue. {real full article …)

Reply 1 like

C46

Active member

73 messages 100 likes

#1 Mar 20, 2025

Seeing that this recall is expanding to other GM cars, not just diesels. Any info about whether there’s actually been a fix or are later model diesel or gas trucks next?

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testerdahl

Administrator

2,716 messages 4,601 likes

#2 Mar 20, 2025

Seeing that this recall is expanding to other GM cars, not just diesels. Any info about whether there’s actually been a fix or are later model diesel or gas trucks next?

I’ve mostly kept up on this and it looks like a bad batch of valve bodies. The real issue, like with most recalls, is the lack of availability of replacement parts. I’ve seen several owners who have had to wait months to have the parts replaced.

Reply 1 like

TheDo114

Well-known member

762 messages 1,203 likes

#3 Mar 20, 2025

I’ve mostly kept up on this and it looks like a bad batch of valve bodies. The real issue, like with most recalls, is the lack of availability of replacement parts. I’ve seen several owners who have had to wait months to have the parts replaced.

It's getting long in the tooth to wait for parts because of the JIT (Just In Time) manufacturing. Bring back part's warehouse or introduce legislation that puts pressure on the manufacturer if the part is not made available within a certain amount of times.

Quebec in Canada introduced a law where the manufacturer/dealer has to provide a free equivalent loaner when waiting for a part and that if they don't, the wait period for the part(s) counts torward your lemon law claim.

Reply 2 likes

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Fightnfire

Moderator

1,253 messages 2,150 likes

#4 Mar 20, 2025

It's getting long in the tooth to wait for parts because of the JIT (Just In Time) manufacturing. Bring back part's warehouse or introduce legislation that puts pressure on the manufacturer if the part is not made available within a certain amount of times.

Quebec in Canada introduced a law where the manufacturer/dealer has to provide a free equivalent loaner when waiting for a part and that if they don't, the wait period for the part(s) counts torward your lemon law claim.

I like that rule but I also feel like the cost to the manufacturer will just get pushed down to the customer in pricing.

Reply 3 likes

TheDo114

Well-known member

762 messages 1,203 likes

#5 Mar 20, 2025

I like that rule but I also feel like the cost to the manufacturer will just get pushed down to the customer in pricing.

They were doing it before with no issue, they should be able to do it now with no problems. Profit margins are big enough and if they can eat the cost for EV, they should be able to eat it for part availability. Dealer are also getting mad as they need to provide loaners and keep the cars for a long time on their lot for repairs.

Reply 3 likes

C46

Active member

73 messages 100 likes

#6 Mar 21, 2025

I’ve mostly kept up on this and it looks like a bad batch of valve bodies. The real issue, like with most recalls, is the lack of availability of replacement parts. I’ve seen several owners who have had to wait months to have the parts replaced.

I’m glad to hear that. Don’t get me wrong; I’m sorry for the people who have to deal with this with their own trucks, but if the problem has been contained to model years 2-3 years ago, makes me feel better keeping a Silverado at the top of my wish list. I had one as a rental a couple weekends ago and sure loved driving it.

Reply 2 likes

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Dusdaddy

Well-known member

1,354 messages 2,020 likes

#7 Mar 21, 2025

They were doing it before with no issue, they should be able to do it now with no problems. Profit margins are big enough and if they can eat the cost for EV, they should be able to eat it for part availability. Dealer are also getting mad as they need to provide loaners and keep the cars for a long time on their lot for repairs.

Yep, they can handle it. They'll just need to manage a fleet of loaners regionally. Most already do.

Parts availability is getting bad. The horror stories of trucks down for months are getting ridiculous.

Reply 2 likes

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