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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 has an early trend of the transmission shifting hard, surging & jerking.

At the moment these trucks are still under warranty. However this transmission problem shows up right away with the average reported mileage only around 3,000 miles, so for now the 2017 Silverado earns our "Beware of the Clunker" badge.

7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,120
Average Mileage:
22,850 miles
Total Complaints:
55 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (43 reports)
  2. replace torque converter (5 reports)
  3. replace transmisison (4 reports)
  4. buy a ford (1 reports)
  5. keep full tank of gas (1 reports)
  6. replace the transmission (1 reports)
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #55

Sep 252023

Silverado 1500 LTZ 6.2L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,553 miles

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

The transmission problem in this truck has gotten progressively worse over the last two years. The transmission jerks, surges ahead, clunks when downshifting and is completely unpredictable. So far, the dealer has been willing to do nothing substantive to fix it. They flushed the transmission one time and didn't charge me. The dealer has been unwilling to take this to the zone and above for resolution.

- Neil A., Nicholasville, US

problem #54

Oct 202022

Silverado 1500 LT Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,046 miles

My Dad worked for GM for 42 years, our family have driven Chev/GM for the 52 years I know of. I bought my son a truck, my daughter a truck, my wife a Caddy SUV and my truck, that's just 1 shop. We've spent over a million dollars on Chev vehicles and all up until 2014 to 2017 they were great.

The best being my 1998 GMC what a beauty. I took my 2017 that I ordered in straight to the Rust proofing centre the day I picked her up. This truck looks brand new after 6 years, it started acting weird around 160,000 km with shifting of the transmission. I tried calling GM, I tried the dealership I buy (bought) from, I tried mechanics, etc.......all saying yep your transmission is shot.

Now I'm at 161,000 the dealership and GM tell me ahhhh your out of warranty, which doesn't matter anyway as the warranty doesn't cover it all anyway only a percentage. Are you f'n nuts what's going on, everyone wants my buying business but no one wants to help when needed. Dealership wanted $7500.00 CDN, I was 1000km's over warranty. I ended up going to a local for $4000.00 CDN, he said he replaces approx 4 of these tranny's a month. GM is about to lose a loyal customer.

- Brent M., Pefferlaw, ON, Canada

problem #53

Jan 082021

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

Purchased used with approximately 21,000 miles. After I got used to the transmission it was obvious that there was something wrong it would shudder, not shift cleanly and occasionally clunk into gear. I brought it back to Kurtis Chevrolet in Morehead City, NC for service. I had purchased 4 vehicles from them over the past 5 years. They denied it it was the transmission and said I had faulty motor mounts. I questioned that since it seemed there was no possible connection. They "assured" me that's what it was. It made no difference whatsoever, which I told them. I brought it back after 4 or 5 months with the same complaint. What do you know? It was the motor mounts!

They replaced them again! I again stated that I couldn't see any connection! These two incidences were both inside of the 60000 mile warranty. I had the transmission serviced by the dealer at 50,000 miles I lived with the (still) jerky, (but, I was assured, Normal) shifting until two weeks ago when the transmission died over the course of a 45 mile trip! Now at 81,000 miles, i was offered the immediate explanation that the torque converters came "unzipped" - the service writer's word, not mine, and they would spread debris throughout the system. Estimate: $7,100.

I was just a little angry! I noted what I've written above and the service writer said they would see what they could do! Chevrolet, he told me after a few minutes, would chip in $1,700. And, wonder of wonders, he had the transmission, torque converter oil lines, and heat exchanger on the shelf! Makes me think, and the service writer confirmed it, that this is common! I wrote Kurtis a very poor review on the email they sent me and published it. Within 3 days i got another email saying the "Manager" wanted to make it right! They can't be too concerned though because they couldn't find him this morning and he didn't bother to call me back. By the way, after I dropped the truck off for the repair, I went to the Ford store and bought an F150 Lariat! I have always had Chevrolet's and was racing them and building motors and race cars before their service techs were even born! I should have listened to my intuition and gotten rid of the truck long ago, especially considering Chevrolet's willingness to do nothing at all!

Update from May 6, 2022: I spoke with GM customer service and got exactly nowhere! I stressed the fact that I had complained about the transmission slipping twice, had been shunted to "bad motor mounts twice which were replaced under warranty". The service manager noted (twice) "excessive vibration at idle" which is not what I told him. I described the transmission slipping and shifting poorly! It failed at 81,000 miles to the tune of a $7,100 repair bill. GM chipped in $1700...Whoopee!

The service rep stated that since it was already repaired, that GM had contributed $1,700, and since I had immediately sold the truck after the repair was completed, there was nothing else they could do. I've spent over $450,000 on GM vehicles in my lifetime but GM will never get another dime from me!

- James Y., Newport, US

problem #52

Apr 172022

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

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

2017 Silverado with 5.3 liter, only 33,000 miles. I don't tow with it, just throw mulch or dirt once a year in the bed to do work in my yard. The truck Jerked really hard like a GIANT picked the truck up with me in it, and scared the hell outta me because I've had trucks since 1994 and never experienced this in my life!

Now it has trouble going into gears. Have it at the dealer now but the $2500 bill is crazy. How can a torque converter go and impeller replacement , new lines, gaskets etc... go on a vehicle with 33k miles? I'm pissed as Hell. Chevy should pay half the freakin' bill, makes me really thinking of switching brands after being a very loyal Chevy customer. I always buy my vehicles new! Just really not all I want when I purchase a vehicle is reliability, at a 100,000 miles I can expect that, but not 33k.

Update from May 11, 2022: Cost was $2700 outta my pocket for a truck with 33k miles.

- Carl T., Independence, OH, US

problem #51

Sep 012019

Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,600 miles

I bought my Silverado used in the summer of 2019. I have been looking for an LTZ Z71 2016-2018 for almost a year. After purchasing my dream truck, LTZ Z71 midnight black edition, I quickly noticed jerking and almost hesitation from the transmission. Sometimes when you throttle just right with a transmission shift it feels like you were rear-ended. Multiple times I have caught myself looking in the mirror thinking what the hell just hit me? I have also noticed surging and jerking while throttling. It almost feels like the transmission is slipping and catching. After some research, I found that many people have the same complaint so I wanted to add mine. I haven't taken my truck to a dealer since I bought it private sale. This issue is ridiculous for a new truck with 27,000 miles on it.

- Shawn H., Central City, PA, US

problem #50

Oct 012019

Silverado 1500 LTZ 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

The truck seems to shudder right before shifting at lower speeds with moderate acceleration. Also, from takeoffs it has been known to jerk into gear violently. I left to go on the road for a job in the middle of September and had the truck in for an oil change, asking if they could change transmission fluids. I was told the cost just to change the transmission fluids would not be covered and it would be over $400.

At the time the vehicle was not having issues. Once I got on the job I started noticing the problem and talk to a locally recommended transmission guy who flushed the system for $160, a fourth of what the dealership was going to charge. He explained that there was a common problem with this model truck, called a torque converter shudder. Once I got back home I got with my dealership and they wanted to do another flush at my cost, even after I explained it was a common problem with this model.

Avianne called corporate Chevrolet and got the runaround once again and was told that I did not properly let the dealership diagnose the problem and he said that's where we're at. I explained it should not cost me out of my pocket, and if it happens to cost me I am done with Chevrolet products - and that is where we're at.

I have owned Chevrolets for several years but if this ends up costing me and they can't warranty their faulty product, I will move on and they can lose the business and figure out later they need to fix their problems with their customers 😠😠😠.

- Michael A., Broken Bow, OK, Canada

problem #49

Nov 052021

Silverado 1500 Z-71 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,902 miles

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

This transmission is crap!!!! At liberty Chevrolet they tell me needs a new transmission ! There going to seek me the exact transmission for right at 6000 and warranty it for 100000 but they will not warranty the one in the truck with little over 50000 does that make any dam sense and they told me they have plenty of issues and replaced many of these transmission. You would think Chevrolet would have a recall or something in this crap

- dadd714rb, Dallas, US

problem #48

May 302020

Silverado 1500 LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,800 miles

My truck is three years old and I have to replace the transmission? Really?? And it has 72,800 miles on it. Guess when the extended warranty ran out?? 72,000 miles and they won't help me. The dealer wants $5200 to replace it. I have went or talked to three tranny shops and they all say rebuild for about $3500 I am taking it Monday 6/6/2020 for the work to be done. This is absolutely ridiculous to have a 50 thousand dollar ride and have to replace the transmission in three years.

- Furman D., Hot Springs, US

problem #47

Mar 302021

Silverado 1500 LT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

Bought the truck used with 88k. 3 weeks later at 89k the truck began to miss. Took it to the shop to find out it was the transmission. It threw a few codes, but then it would disappear. So pissed that the truck has less than 100k miles and is already having serious issues. I cannot afford this! I paid over 24k for this truck! Chaps my ass. Grr...

- Amy P., La Follette, TN, US

problem #46

Jan 232021

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

This problem happened on vacation 600 miles from home. The transmission finally died 400 miles from home. We were almost hot multiple times on the side of the highway. Then my truck was left in north Texas for three weeks waiting to be fixed. Chevy only covered 800.00 of the 6,300.00 transmission replacement. I will never buy another Chevy again.

- Luke M., Huffman, US

problem #45

Mar 092018

Silverado 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 started to make a "clunking" noise when moving from low speed to road speed. Took it to the dealership to tell them and they said nothing was wrong. Took it in 4 times for same complaint, and was told nothing was wrong. Suspect it's either the transmission or the U-Joints!

Now my truck is out of warranty and GUESS WHAT??? Yep, NNNOOOWWW they see the issue. WTH??? I will be calling the Chevy Customer Service number to file a complaint. I'm sure I will get some person in India who's name is George but can't speak a clear word of English!! I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A FORD!!!!

- Cynthia B., Palmer, US

problem #44

Oct 222020

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,219 miles

This truck is a trash heap! It will be the last GM product I own and they won't warranty anything on a know issue. This thing has 3 other issues total cost to fix $6400. I look forward to their bankruptcy headlines. Shout out to Tesla and Rivian - I will be looking to you most likely for my next truck.

- Chris B., New Hope, US

problem #43

Jun 152020

Silverado 1500 LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

My wife and I have noticed the jerking and surging since June. Sometimes we also hear a clunking noise underneath the vehicle. We are very concerned about the situation.Please keep us informed on any resolution on this problem.This is quite disconcerting.Thank you!

- Nestor S., Hagerstown, US

problem #42

May 102020

Silverado 1500 LTZ 5.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,767 miles

Have not paid for this one yet but now the transmission after being fixed the first time now completely slows down with only an engine light after being repaired the second time. It is currently in the shop which I am now angry because the first fix was supposed to fixed the transmission that I paid a lot of money for since the truck is out of warranty. Told Lena at Stonebriar Chevrolet I wasn't paying for the rental this time and she was to make this right as I look for a reliable vehicle going forward. I will never buy Chevrolet again because they don't back their craftsmanship in their product and I have owned five Hondas that got up to 300K miles on them before having the issues I have had with this one. DON'T BUY THE CHEVY SILVERADO IT IS A MONEY PIT AND BAD INVESTMENT.

- Chance G., Aubrey, US

problem #41

Feb 292020

Silverado 1500 High Country 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Bought my 2017 Silverado used in March 2019. No issues for the first couple of weeks then started feeling the surges in the transmission. Did some research and found the TSB, reached out to the dealer for the fix. They did the “fix” and sent us on our way telling us that the transmission had to learn our driving habits. The surges never stopped. Took it to a different dealer for the service and went over the issue with them, they again did the “fix” (and scratched my truck in the process) and sent us on our way telling us it needed to learn our driving habits. Our service advisor did tell us that if after a couple hundred miles it was still doing it then we could bring it back and they would look into it further because they had to jump through some hoops to get to the ultimate fix for this issue. The torque converter. So fast forward to this past weekend, I take the truck back to the dealer for service and the transmission surges. Got a call from them this morning telling me that the reason for the transmission surges is because the truck was in auto 4wd. So it sounds like they are trying to pass the buck here and find excuses so they don’t have to fix it. I think it is bs that that is their excuse for it doing the surges. They said that after they switched it to 2wd they couldn’t get the truck to duplicate the issue.

Has anyone else been told that it was because it was in auto 4wd??

- bclerk, Buford, Ga, US

problem #40

Oct 032019

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,788 miles

Bought new Chevy 1500 Silverado on 6/30/17 and have a little less than 66,000 miles on the truck, transmission needs to be replaced and not covered under warranty. Cost is $3,000, truck has only towed something maybe 2-3 times, don't live in the mountains, don't live on a dirt road and have the truck serviced every 5,000 miles. If your transmission can't last longer that 2 years and 4 months you shouldn't be in the car business!!

- Tony H., Denver, US

problem #39

Aug 302019

Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 5.3L V8 Ecotec3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,500 miles

I am a big GM fan and have several GM vehicles and trucks. Over the years GM's engine and transmissions have been the best...you all can keep your Ford's (can anyone really read the gauges!!!) and Dodge's (yeh they have the Cummins but don't you think they could make it more quiet, I mean we sent a man to the moon 50 years ago) The transmission on this truck has not been right from the beginning. Ditto to everything folks are reporting. When starting in the morning it will do one of three things: run normally, hesitate and then race or jump ahead, or chunk and thunk like it really doesn't want to go to work.

Changed fluids per GM recommendations. I have not had the higher speed issues, but it is definitely not right and definitely not up to GM standards. Recently have had the check engine light coming on and it is throwing a torque converter error code....sounds like the problem. Taking in next week for further examination and a potential reeming!!!! I fully expected to get the same run around everyone else is getting so I have not bothered to take it in. Figured it would run or break. Now that it is throwing a code, dealer has something to go by. Dealer is aware of the issues with this transmission and hopefully will make it right.

- Scott T., Clearfield, Pacific Islands (US)

problem #38

May 292019

Silverado 1500 LT 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles

Since my truck had 3000 miles on it. It always jerks and shifts hard. I have brought it in to the dealer about 6 times and they never find anything! The problem continues and I fully expect next oil change visit they will magically find the non warranty issue.

- Lawrence R., Edgewater, US

problem #37

Jan 152018

Silverado 1500 High Country 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

Transmission bumps in gear at low start speeds. Problem persists during start tow mode.

- Earl B., Hoschton, GA, US

problem #36

Jun 052017

Silverado 1500 LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

Various dealerships told me that it’s not a problem, I assumed that it was normal. 91,800 miles later, a trip to Texas the transmission slipped so bad it would not drive. Stranded in Kansas City at a Dealership on Saturday afternoon.Still waiting to hear the cost to repair it.

- Tom A., Eldridge, IA, US

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