Chevy Silverado Engine & Transmission Problems | California Lemon Law
For many California consumers, the Chevrolet Silverado is purchased because it is supposed to be dependable, capable, and durable. Unfortunately, some Silverado owning engines, transmissions, braking systems, electrical components, and other critical systems.
These problems become particularly concerning when a Silverado repeatedly returns to the Chevrolet dealership for warranty repairs without a lasting fix. In some cases, owners have experienced complete engine failure, loss of propulsion, harsh shifting, reduced-power conditions, or extended periods when their truck cannot be driven at all.
Recent General Motors recalls also confirm that certain Silverado problems are not isolated incidents.
The Problem
One of the most significant issues currently affecting Chevrolet Silverado owners involves the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine installed in certain 2021 through 2024 Silverado 1500 trucks.
General Motors issued Safety Recall 25V274 after determining that connecting-rod and crankshaft components in certain L87 engines may contain manufacturing defects capable of causing engine damage and complete engine failure. According to GM's report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problems included sediment contamination affecting connecting rods and crankshaft oil galleries, as well as crankshafts with dimensions or surface finishes outside specification.
The potential consequence is significant: the engine can fail while the vehicle is being driven, resulting in a loss of propulsion and an increased risk of a collision.
GM's investigation identified 28,102 potentially related field complaints or incidents in the United States, including more than 14,000 reports involving alleged loss of propulsion.
Silverado owners have also experienced transmission-related problems. A separate GM recall affects certain 2020 through 2022 Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 diesel trucks because a transmission control valve may wear excessively and cause the rear wheels to momentarily lock while the vehicle is being driven.
These recalls are particularly important for owners who have already complained about engine noises, hesitation, loss of power, abnormal shifting, reduced propulsion, transmission problems, or similar symptoms.
The Allegations
Chevrolet Silverado owners have reported a wide range of problems involving the truck's major systems.
Engine complaints can be particularly serious. Silverado owners may experience knocking or banging noises, check-engine lights, hesitation, reduced power, abnormal engine operation, stalling, inability to restart the truck, or a complete engine failure.
GM itself identified many of these symptoms as potential warning signs associated with the L87 engine defect. According to its recall filing, a driver may notice unusual engine noises, a check-engine light, hesitation, high RPMs, abnormal shifting, reduced propulsion, or a no-start condition before an engine failure occurs.
Transmission problems can present differently. Owners may complain that their Silverado jerks or hesitates, shifts harshly between gears, takes too long to engage Drive or Reverse, slips during acceleration, or produces unexpected reduced-power warnings.
GM has also published technical service information addressing situations in which certain Silverado vehicles may experience no forward gear after shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse to Drive.
Other Silverado repair histories may involve repeated electrical failures, warning messages, battery problems, infotainment systems that freeze or reboot, brake or ABS warnings, intermittent no-start conditions, or safety-system malfunctions.
The important issue under California's lemon law is ordinarily not whether every Silverado has the same defect. The focus is on the problems affecting the individual vehicle and whether General Motors was provided reasonable opportunities to repair substantial warranty-covered defects.
Recall and Technical Service Bulletin Information
Several recent GM actions are particularly relevant to Silverado owners.
L87 Engine Recall — NHTSA Recall 25V274
The recall applies to certain 2021 through 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with the 6.2-liter L87 V8 engine.
GM determined that manufacturing problems involving connecting rods and crankshafts may lead to bearing damage, engine damage, and ultimately engine failure.
GM instructed dealers to inspect affected vehicles and replace engines when necessary. Vehicles passing inspection receive a higher-viscosity engine oil, along with related changes including a new oil-fill cap, oil filter, and owner's-manual insert.
Diesel Transmission Recall — NHTSA Recall 24V797
Certain 2020 through 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks equipped with diesel engines were recalled because a transmission control valve can experience excessive wear.
Loss of pressure in the valve may result in harsh shifting and, more seriously, can cause the rear wheels to momentarily lock. GM's remedy includes transmission-control-module software designed to detect excessive valve wear before a wheel-lock condition occurs.
The existence of a recall or technical service bulletin does not automatically make a vehicle a lemon. However, this information can be very important when an owner's complaints resemble a defect already recognized by the manufacturer.
Symptoms Silverado Owners Should Watch For
Some Silverado defects can begin intermittently before developing into a major failure. Owners should pay particular attention to:
Knocking, banging, ticking, or other unusual engine noises.
Check-engine lights or repeated warning messages.
Hesitation or loss of acceleration.
Reduced propulsion or reduced engine power.
Engine stalling or complete engine failure.
A Silverado that cranks but will not start.
Hard, harsh, or delayed transmission shifts.
Transmission slipping or jerking.
Delay when shifting into Drive or Reverse.
Abnormal RPM increases.
Brake or ABS warnings.
Repeated electrical failures or dead-battery conditions.
A truck remaining at the dealership for extended periods because parts, engines, or other components are unavailable.
Owners experiencing these symptoms should make sure the dealership accurately records the complaint on every repair order.
A repair order saying only "customer states vehicle problem" is much less helpful than documentation stating that the vehicle loses propulsion at highway speeds, knocks during acceleration, hesitates from a stop, shifts violently between gears, or repeatedly displays a specific warning message.
How to Proceed
California Silverado owners dealing with repeated warranty problems should consider taking several practical steps:
Keep every repair order. Even visits where the dealership says it "could not duplicate" the problem can become important evidence showing repeated complaints.
Describe the symptoms precisely. Tell the dealership when the problem occurs, what warning messages appear, what noises you hear, and how the vehicle behaves.
Take photographs and videos. Intermittent warning lights, unusual noises, screen failures, and drivability problems may disappear before the truck reaches the dealership.
Track days out of service. A Silverado that spends weeks or months awaiting diagnosis, an engine, a transmission, or other replacement components may raise substantial lemon-law concerns even if the number of individual repair visits is relatively small.
Check your VIN for recalls. Recall eligibility is VIN-specific. Two seemingly identical Silverado trucks may not necessarily be included in the same campaign.
Do not assume an engine or transmission replacement eliminates a lemon-law claim. A major component replacement does not erase the earlier repair history. Depending upon the circumstances, the need for such a significant warranty repair may itself be relevant to evaluating the claim.
Keep communications with Chevrolet and the dealership. Emails, text messages, towing records, rental-car documents, and communications regarding unavailable parts can help establish what happened and how long the vehicle was unavailable.
For certain California claims, consumers must also comply with specific pre-litigation notice and procedural requirements. GM states that it participates in California's amended Song-Beverly procedures and provides a designated process for California repurchase notices.
Call Valero Law
A Chevrolet Silverado should not require repeated dealership visits for the same serious engine, transmission, electrical, braking, or drivability problems.
If your Silverado has suffered an engine failure, loss of propulsion, repeated transmission problems, reduced-power warnings, extended repairs, or another substantial defect that Chevrolet has been unable to permanently repair, you may have rights under California's Lemon Law.
The fact that Chevrolet replaces an engine or transmission does not necessarily end the analysis. Likewise, you do not necessarily have to wait for your Silverado to completely fail before evaluating your rights.
Contact Valero Law for a consultation regarding your Chevrolet Silverado. We can review the repair orders, warranty history, recalls, and time your vehicle has spent out of service to determine whether you may have a claim for a repurchase, replacement, or other relief under California law.