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Chevrolet power train recalls: locking rear wheels and broken driveshafts
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
Three failure patterns run through Chevrolet's power train recalls. The biggest is the transmission control valve, which can lock the rear wheels with no warning: 2020-2022 Silverado and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 diesels, 2021 diesel Tahoe, Suburban and Escalade, and 2022 models with the 10-speed ETRS transmission, plus a 2026 campaign for trucks repaired incorrectly the first time. The second is shafts separating — 2018 Equinox and Terrain, 2019-2020 Silverado 1500, 2021 Camaro, 2021 Tahoe and Suburban, 2021-2022 Corvette, and 2023 Blazer and Traverse, including vehicles built with the wrong transmission sun gear. Third, transmission fluid leaks from the start-stop accumulator on 2018-2020 Equinox, Traverse, Cruze and Malibu. A separate transfer case recall is the group's only stop-driving order.
Warning signs to watch for
- Harsh shifting, reduced power, or the vehicle slowing down on its own
- A transmission fluid leak — fluid on the ground or a burning smell under the vehicle
- The vehicle moving or rolling away after you put it in park
- A sudden loss of drive power while you are moving, leaving you stranded in traffic
- Several of these failures give no warning at all, so feeling nothing does not mean your vehicle is clear
Is it safe to keep driving?
One recall is a stop-driving order: for the transfer case recall covering 2026 Escalade, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, Sierra 1500, Yukon and Yukon XL with 4WD or AWD, plus certain 2015-2020 full-size SUVs, GM advises owners not to drive until the remedy is completed. Every other recall here — transmission control valve, driveshafts, half-shafts, axle shafts and fluid leaks — carries no stop-driving or park-outside instruction, so the vehicle may be driven. Because wheels can lock and power can cut without warning, book the free repair at the first available appointment.
What the free repair involves
Repairs split three ways. Transmission control valve and control module problems get new transmission control module software, in some cases after an inspection, with special coverage for transmissions the remedy software identifies as damaged. Driveshafts, half-shafts, axle shafts, sun gears and the start-stop accumulator are physically replaced. The transfer case is inspected and replaced if necessary. All of it is free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 7 |
| high | 8 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
Common questions
My truck was already repaired under recall 24V797 — is it fixed?
Not necessarily. GM's February 2026 recall covers 2020 Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500 and 2020-2022 1500s that may have been repaired incorrectly. Dealers inspect the vehicle and update the transmission control software free of charge; letters were mailed March 6, 2026.
Is a transmission fluid leak really a fire risk?
Yes — the notices say a leak can leave you stranded in traffic and can start a fire. Dealers inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if bolts are missing. On Braun-converted Traverse wheelchair vans, a screw and clip chafing the transmission case are replaced.
Can my Blazer or Traverse roll away when it is parked?
The notices say yes. A missing retaining ring or an incorrect sun gear can let the driver-side half-shaft disengage from the transmission, so the vehicle can roll away after being put in park. Dealers replace the half-shaft assembly or sun gear free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.