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7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
50,350 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. rebuild transmissio (2 reports)
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2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Comments

problem #9

Nov 012022

Silverado 1500 LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission not shifting right, transmission shudders all the time.

- kilowat, Mayfield, US

problem #8

Jan 012021

Silverado 1500 LT 4..3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,312 miles

Automatic 6speed transmission shifts like garbage; it feels like its going out. Hard jerks when giving it gas after coasting 30-40 mph, you have to let off when you're behind someone; jerks and feels of clunk when downshifting. This is definitely not normal, it should be smooth; my old 2002 f150 with 180k miles shifts better than this truck. I just bought my 1500 and thinking I made a mistake with GM. Luckily it is still under warranty and I will be taking it in. If they give me some runaround about its normal I will likely explode on whoever were to tell me that. I will post an update once I have dealt with GM.

Update from Jan 21, 2021: I have an appointment with local GM dealer 1/26/21, thankfully it is under warranty. The issue is getting worse. I can feel it slam into gears on occasion and pulling into my local road a low speed it down shifted and slammed pretty hard, I actually could hear it. I will update as events develop. Also for some reason I am not seeing this complaint visible, that is worrisome also.

Update from Jan 26, 2021: Just got back from the local dealer. The mechanic acknowledged feeling what I felt. They say or I should say "are told" by GM that it is designed to run like this, I said oh, its designed to run like garbage. Not sure what I am going to do at the moment; I can say what I will not be doing which is purchasing a GM product ever again.

Update from Aug 24, 2021 GM does not care one bit about their customers. I fixed the problem by trading think clunker in for a Toyota. Also carcomplaints, you have not posted this under the list of problems for the vehicle and it has been several months. How many other complaints are you suppressing; you are just as bad or worse than GM, how much are they paying you all to keep quiet?

- Jason H., Battle Creek, MI, US

problem #7

Apr 082022

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 187,636 miles

The first time it happened I was in New Mexico and had to have it towed to Abligurie. It cost over 8 thousand with the tow, motel and meals to get the transmission replaced - it had just over 107000 miles on it. We replaced it with another Chevy transmission. Now its 5 hours away from home and broke down again.

I bought it brand new. I also bought a 2001 - it had fuel pumps going out every 45,000 miles. I put 387,115 miles on it.

- Kathleen H., Montpelier, US

problem #6

Nov 292018

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Received what I thought was a good purchase for my 2018 Silverado LT Z71, until about 10k miles in. I took to dealer for an oil change and asked them to test drive it because the transmission seemed to make a clunking sound when down shifting and upshifting from 2 to 3rd or 3rd to 2. Very annoying and unacceptable for a new vehicle. The dealer found no problems after test driving and said it was working fine, but the transmission is still doing the same thing.

Yes, I guess technically it is working, all gears work forward and reverse. I guess the clunking noise and hard shifts were new for 2018. My wife thinks I am braking too hard but it is really the transmission's hard down shift. It seems that GM and the dealers want to avoid recall issues like these until someone is really hurt or killed or after millions of die hard Chevrolet owners have filed enough complaints to get media attention.

My 1994 Z71 Stepside has 248k miles on it and the transmission has never been touched except for a new clutch about 12 years ago. Technology is nice if it works but don't expect these new cars and trucks to be dependable as those from our past.

Just one more thing to mention. The truck also is a very bouncy ride, too when traveling over dips on the interstates. I can't wait to upgrade the front shocks. I guess if I keep going back to the dealer with the transmission issue, then I will have the paper trail that I will need to eventually get the problem fixed. Semper Fi!

- Joseph H., Underwood, US

problem #5

Jul 122021

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

New Vehicles should not brake down this easy. Have 2000 Silverado with close to 500k, reverse just went out. My new truck has only 94k & already no good shift, jerking, & shuttering down the road. The biggest problem is that you can't get anyone to service the track for 2 - 3 wks. One place says drop it off & we'll let you know. What am I supposed to do - walk to work?

- moomey, Deatsville, US

problem #4

May 252018

Silverado 1500 P V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,124 miles

Problem from the first day we purchase the truck brand new, however we assume because it was parked for months and thought the issue will go away. However, it did not go away and we said "the truck does not feel like a new car, very slow acceleration and sounds like transmission bumps". After months I decided to call to service it, but service guy said " If the engine light is not on, then you have no problems with the vehicle"???? What the @@@???? I got very upset and told him I was not going to rely on a light to have my vehicle seen, and I am just want to prevent any future issues. I need some advice to people out there who are having the same issue, and what to do with our new Chevy truck???

- Erica S., Merced, US

problem #3

Jul 172018

Silverado 1500 Custom 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck hard to stop when braking poor acceleration, very jerky when driving, shudders. I've been to the dealerships a number of times about this issue. Service manager and certified techs explained to me this is normal operation. I've tried to get out of this truck because I hate driving it so much. I got rid of my 2009 Chevy Silverado to get this new piece of junk 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 custom crew cab. I am stuck in this truck. If I could hand this truck in right now, I would I go right to Ford and put myself into a F150. This issue needs to be handled ASAP because I'm afraid to have my family in this vehicle. I HATE THIS TRUCK!

- Daniel F., Swedesboro, US

problem #2

Feb 062019

Silverado 1500 Z71 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,500 miles

JUST TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER IS REBUILING THE TRANSMISSION ON A BRAND NEW 2018 SILVERADO Z71 WITH 10,000 MILES.

- David B., Thomspsons Station, US

problem #1

Apr 162019

Silverado 1500 Custom 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,450 miles

2018 Silverado is a terrible disappointment! Took it back to the dealer to complain about clunking when slowing down and the transmission is downshifting. Was told that is "normal operation" for this truck. Twice recently transmission has gotten stuck in a low gear when I try to pass other vehicles, its not passing gear, feels like it's maybe second. RPM's went to near max, was running about 65 mph when it happened. I had to slow down to get it to release and find the right gear. Could have caused an accident! This is my 3rd Silverado loved the 1st ones and I absolutely hate this one. Can't believe I'm stuck with this turd for 4 years...

- Stephen P., Winder, US

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