General Motors has issued a significant recall affecting hundreds of thousands of Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac trucks and SUVs in the GM lineup due to a risk of momentary rear wheel lock-up. This issue primarily impacts diesel-powered 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra models, and several 2021 SUVs. GM-Trucks.com readers who own or are considering one of these vehicles should be aware of the full scope of this recall, so we’ve got all of the information you’ll need-  including the vehicles affected, nature of the defect, risks, and the steps GM is taking to address the issue.

3.0L Duramax Diesel Engine under the hood of a GMC Sierra Denali
Under the hood of a GMC Sierra Denali equipped with a 3.0L Duramax Diesel Engine, part of the GM recall due to rear wheel lock-up risk.

Chevrolet / GMC Rear Wheel Lock-Up Recall – Affected Vehicles

The recall applies to specific 2020-2022 model-year diesel-powered trucks and SUVs:

Production Date Range: These vehicles were built between January 18, 2019, and March 21, 2022, with the exact dates varying slightly by model. Owners should check specific VIN information to confirm if their vehicle is impacted​​​.

GM Rear Wheel Lock-Up Recall – Nature of the Defect

The issue arises from the transmission control valve in certain GM diesel-powered vehicles. Over time, this component can suffer excessive wear, leading to a drop in fluid pressure. This reduced pressure causes harsh shifting and, in rare cases, can result in the rear wheels locking up momentarily when downshifting from eighth gear. Although the lock-up generally lasts for less than 150 milliseconds, it poses a crash risk—especially if it occurs at high speeds or on less stable road surfaces.

GM estimates that 1% of the 461,839 recalled vehicles may actually experience this issue, but due to the severity of potential consequences, it has decided to implement a comprehensive recall​​.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Duramax Diesel driving in winter conditions, part of GM rear wheel lock-up recall
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, equipped with a Duramax Diesel Engine, drives along a winter road. This Suburban model is included in GM’s recall targeting diesel-powered vehicles with potential rear wheel lock-up issues.

Safety Risks

Momentary rear wheel lock-up can disrupt a driver’s control of the vehicle. Given the speed and torque involved in these vehicles, a brief lock-up event could lead to loss of control, veering off the road, or in extreme cases, a crash. GM has received reports of minor incidents possibly related to this defect, including minor property damage and three minor injuries not resulting from collisions​​​.

How GM Plans to Address the Issue

GM is addressing the issue by rolling out a software update for the transmission control module on affected vehicles. This update will enable the system to monitor for valve wear, triggering preventive measures well before a potential lock-up condition develops. Here’s how the remedy will work:

  1. Valve Performance Monitoring: The software will continuously monitor the transmission control valve for excessive wear.
  2. Advance Warning: About 10,000 miles before a potential lock-up could occur, the software will limit the transmission to fifth gear. This restriction is designed to prevent the specific eighth-gear downshift scenario that triggers the lock-up.
  3. Driver Alerts: When the fifth-gear limitation is imposed, the driver will see a Service Engine Light and a Reduced Propulsion message on the instrument panel, notifying them to bring the vehicle in for service.

GM will provide this software update at no charge to owners. Once updated, vehicles will be protected against rear wheel lock-up and provide owners with ample warning before any mechanical issue could arise​​.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado with Duramax Diesel Engine towing a boat on a sunny day
A Chevrolet Silverado equipped with a Duramax Diesel Engine towing a heavy-duty boat, highlighting the truck’s towing capability. This model is included in GM’s recent recall related to rear wheel lock-up.

This Recall By The Numbers

2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500

  • Total Recalled: 146,930
  • Estimated Vehicles with Defect: ~1,469

2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 and GMC Sierra 2500/3500

  • Total Recalled: 301,864
  • Estimated Vehicles with Defect: ~3,018

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon, Yukon XL

  • Total Recalled: 11,525
  • Estimated Vehicles with Defect: ~116

2021 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV

  • Total Recalled: 1,520
  • Estimated Vehicles with Defect: ~15

Grand Total of Vehicles Recalled Across All Models: 461,839
Total Estimated Vehicles with Defect Across All Models: ~4,618

2021 GMC Sierra Denali with Duramax Diesel Engine parked in snowy woods during winter
A 2021 GMC Sierra Denali with Duramax Diesel Engine parked in a snow-covered area. This model is part of GM’s recall due to a transmission control valve defect that may cause rear wheel lock-up.

What Should Owners Do?

  1. Check VIN: Owners can check if their vehicle is part of this recall by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the GM Owner Center website or through the NHTSA recall lookup.
  2. Wait for Notification: GM will start mailing notification letters to owners on December 9, 2024, in a phased schedule that will extend through February 28, 2025. Dealers will also be notified and prepared to assist customers.
  3. Avoid Using Unrepaired Vehicles for Towing: Owners who regularly use these trucks for heavy towing may want to limit usage or consult with a dealer if they experience harsh shifting, as towing can add strain to transmission components.
  4. Courtesy Transportation: If repairs are delayed or parts are unavailable, owners within the warranty period can request courtesy transportation from GM. Contact GM’s customer service lines for assistance (Chevrolet: 1-800-222-1020; GMC: 1-800-462-8782; Cadillac: 1-800-458-8006)​​​.

Important Information for Dealers and Inventory

A stop-sale order is in effect for all new and used inventory affected by this recall, including Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) units. Dealers are prohibited from selling, trading, or demonstrating these vehicles until they receive the required software update. Dealers can check for vehicles in their inventory through GM’s systems and should prepare to implement the software updates once available​.

Basically- Here’s What You Should Know

With this recall, GM is taking preventive action to address a defect in its diesel-powered 2020-2022 trucks and 2021 SUVs that can lead to rear wheel lock-up due to transmission control valve wear. While only a small fraction of vehicles are likely to develop the issue, the potential risk has warranted a large-scale recall to ensure driver safety. Owners are encouraged to check their vehicle’s VIN, limit high-stress use if symptoms appear, and take advantage of GM’s courtesy transportation options if needed.