The first four years (2020-2023) of the current-generation Silverado heavy-duty knocked out a lot of initial problems for this new iteration of these trucks. General Motors has been on top of it with warranty claims and recalls so far. With growing pains out of the way, though, there are still some issues and recalls affecting the 2024-2026 model year Silverado 2500. These include some persistent transmission issues, failures in the valve body, a weird random tailgate opening scenario, and several technology glitches.
Silverado 2500 Transmission Problems and Service Campaigns
The GM 10-speed transmission has attracted significant criticism, along with numerous online videos from aftermarket companies promising bulletproof fixes. Here are the facts contained in GM and NHTSA documents.
GM’s major transmission recall, GM campaign N242454440 and NHTSA recall 24V-797, covered diesel-powered 2020-2022 Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks. Gas trucks were not affected.
Editor’s note: Those model years are outside the scope of this article, but the issue is worth addressing because of the attention it has received online.
Excessive wear in a transmission control valve could cause harsh shifting and, in rare cases, momentarily lock the rear wheels. GM’s software remedy monitors valve wear and limits the transmission to fifth gear before a lockup can occur. A later campaign, N252516560, addressed fewer than 1,000 vehicles that may not have received the correct software update, including certain 2020 Silverado HD trucks.
Certain 2024 Silverado HD trucks had a separate problem involving an incorrect caged pinion bearing in the transmission’s direct overdrive carrier. GM Customer Satisfaction Program N242467600 calls for complete transmission replacement, but it is not an NHTSA safety recall. This issue is also separate from the valve-body failures reported by some 2024-2025 owners.
Valve Body Failures Send Trucks Into Limp Mode
Some 2024 Silverado 2500HD owners have experienced 10-speed transmission valve-body failures, resulting in harsh shifting, warning messages and the transmission entering limp mode. GM confirmed that valve-body parts availability for its light- and heavy-duty diesel trucks had been a problem and introduced a new valve-body service repair process for 2021-2024 Silverado and Sierra HD trucks.
Dealers have replaced valve bodies or complete transmissions under warranty, but parts shortages have sometimes extended repair times. This issue is separate from the 2020-2022 diesel transmission recall and the caged pinion bearing covered by GM Customer Satisfaction Program N242467600.
Power Unlatch Tailgate Pops Open Unexpectedly
General Motors issued recalls covering certain 2020-2026 Silverado HD trucks equipped with the power-unlatch tailgate. Water can enter the power-unlatch tailgate switch and cause it to short circuit, allowing the tailgate to open while the truck is parked. If the driver does not notice the open tailgate before driving, unsecured cargo could fall into the roadway.
One owner writes, regarding his 2023 Silverado 2500: “The tailgate has unlatched itself in the driveway on multiple occasions. It is only a matter of time before it damages itself or hits someone walking behind the truck. GM’s initial ‘fix’ was just to disable the switch, which leaves me without a working feature I paid for.” Note that the new recall issued replaces the switch, including swapping those disabled for the initial recall.
GM recall numbers for this are N232426400 for 2020-2024 models and N242460160 for 2025-2026 model year trucks. The fix is replacement of the switch assembly for the tailgate with a waterproofed part.
Touchscreen and USB Glitches Persist
Several technical service bulletins and consumer complaints for the Silverado 2500 revolve around technology problems. Infotainment screens can glitch, have color faults, or fail to deliver requested applications.
USB receptacles in the trucks can sometimes lose power, fail to charge connected devices, or fail to connect for data. The various issues are usually software-related, though at least one TSB points towards faulty wiring.
How To Check For Recalls On Your Truck
The easiest way to check for current recalls that may affect your Silverado 2500 is to visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Recalls page and enter your license plate or 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) to run a search. You can also do this at the GM Owner Center.
