2019 Chevy Silverado Owner Says, “I Had My Transmission Flushed, Just Shy Of 45K Miles, The Dealer Charged Me $562, Did I Pay Too Much?”

Purchased a new 2017 Denali Yukon XL and did every service recommended by the dealer. The dealer never recommended the transmission flush, and the “shudder” started at 75,000 miles. The dealer then recommended the transmission flush at a cost of $950. However, internet searches indicated this never fixed the problem after the shudder began. The dealer offered to replace the transmission with a rebuilt one for $9,000 with a one year 12,000 mile warranty. AAMCO replaced it for the same price with a 36 mo 36,000 mile warranty. Unfortunately, there was no Virginia class action lawsuit to help reimburse me.

Auto makers have continually made it harder to afford maintenance on newer autos and almost impossible to do simple things at home. They will price themselves out of sales and jobs eventually.

That’s a bargain compared to my dealership, they said I was pass the 30,000 my routine maintenance period and charged me $1,000.00 for a 10 qt fluid change and refill.
It did work for some time and now at 60,000 miles I’m past my warranty and I’m afraid that they will say that’s what needed to be done again instead of fixing a problem they know they have.

I own a 2019 Silverado with the 8 speed transmission. I purchased the truck with 51,000 miles and a transmission service was done at 49,000 miles. It was fine until around 55,000 miles and it had developed a really hard downshift between second and first gear. Along with a slight slip between first and second gear

I had the trans fluid flush at 48k. I still get a shutter at around 7 miles an hour when the trans is hot. I took into the dealer twice but they couldn't duplicate the problem each time. Kind of bummed.

I had the trans fluid flush at 48k. I still get a shutter at around 7 miles an hour when the trans is hot. I took into the dealer twice but they couldn't duplicate the problem each time. Kind of bummed.

If it was done correctly to begin with you would not have to had paid so much to fix the screw up to begin with.

He DID overpay. It should NOT have costed ANYTHING!!!!!!! General Motors should be paying the bill since it is obviously a design issue. Whether the plants got the wrong fluid, the transmission plants got the wrong parts, or whatever else, it was doomed to likely fail, and that’s a defect in quality and/or workmanship. That means the GM Powertrain warranty should apply. Unfortunately, we see it only applies to the lower spec’d vehicles typically purchased by people who don’t have on going relationships with attorneys. It’s a shame and a reflection of the greed and unscrupulous utilization of laissez-faire to get over on the middle/lower middle class. You can bet if it was Denalis, Escalades, or just higher trim level silverados & sierras with the higher trim level powertrains, GM would’ve BEEN in court by now and forced to pay. Them folks wouldn’t stand for this BS…

That's cheap if the transmission doesn't self-destruct now. I had the dealership do my 2019 Silverado transmission service and, when I got it back, the transmission was toast. It cost me $6800 and took 2 1/2 months because they couldn't find a replacement in stock. The dealership denied any responsibility and, initially, tried to charge me $12000. Now, 5000 miles later, the engine has developed a tick. As in, a noisy lifter. GM has lost me as a customer forever. And I have nothing nice to say about the dealership the ruined my transmission. (Or GM for that matter)

I had it done on my 2018 Gmc Serria about a month ago. With only 21000 miles it started shuddering like was mentioned also lurching on starts. I was told it needed a flush. It was going to cost 800+. They said it was routine maintenance and my extended warranty I purchased when the truck was bought would not cover this issue. There shouldn't be routine maintenance on a transmission with this low mileage. When i went to pick it up they told me to drive it for 200 miles and it should take care of my problems.This is something GM should cover with all the problems that they have and know about with these transmissions. Everything that I have read leads me to believe GM doesn't
care. If they did they would do something about these problems. Was going to trade it for a new truck but also read there is problems with the 10 speed transmissions so unsure which is best. By the way this a 8 speed trans.

You can buy a quart of that stuff online for $7.50 so even using 20 quarts and a couple of hours of time you're only out $150. You don't need specialized equipment. Drain and fill, then drive around the block repeated 3-4 times and you're done. Easy way to save $450.

I read this review of the cost of the transmission flush, but there was no mention of the extra cost to change the filter. GM dealers show the price on a service board of transmission flush and then a service rep will communicate a separate quote for filter change, it is known that a flush does not entirely clean the filter properly. So is a 45,000 mile flush adequate and which mileage interval, should a filter be included, for the problematic transmissions.

I own a 2019 Colorado with, apparently, this transmission. I live on SS so having the change done at the 50,000 mile mark and getting the bill needless to say l was in shock! My bill was nearly $700.00 but included the engine oil change and since it's a 4x4 more than a simple change of fluid. The only thing the Chevy house guy told me was l was lucky it wasn't the 10 speed tranny! Had no idea when l bought it used at 23,000 miles in early 2020. I don't drive much anymore now once or twice a month for groceries and no trips so it's actually low mileage. Thankfully l guess! It was a dealer buy back and no mention was made about the transmission issue, that dealer only mentioned the radio issue. I've never had an issue with the tranny to date so maybe the big fix was done in it when it was bought back from the original buyer. It was still under warranty then and l had anything that was any kind of issue taken care of while it was still covered. One mechanic did slip and say something about the transmission back then but l believe they just did the recall fix and that was it. I hope so as l can not afford a new vehicle as l got this one paid off when selling my home. I have nothing left to sell to pay for a new vehicle! Gotta love the morals and honesty of dealerships nowadays!

So basically you are expected to pay more because GM continues to build defective trash. This is why I won't even consider buying an American car. Japanese is FAR superior.

In London,Ky I paid just over 800 at a Chevy dealership

Having recently retired I no longer have my work truck which means my 2018 Silverado Z71 with only 26000 miles is now my primary vehicle. Do I need to be concerned yet about the transmission or anything else for that matter? The truck runs fine and hasn’t even been off road. I occasionally tow my boat about 30 freeway miles round trip for a day of fishing.

If the wrong fluid was used, why is this mandatory fluid exchange not covered by Chevy Inc.?? Sounds like this repair should have been a recall.

I had the shutter at 60k. Cost me 599 for the service. All vehicles are made like garbage throw away today

Mike should trade his GMC in for a Ford with same power. I have a 2022 GMC High County. I will be trading it in for a New Ford in the spring. I am experiencing the same issue with only 46,000 miles. My last 2017 GMC Danli suffered the same fate. I had 50,000 miles when I traded it in. GMC said the 2022 wouldn't have this issue. They gave me a good trade in value and fixed the problem and resold the truck for 7 grand more than what I received in trade. My father worked at Ford for 27 years and question my decision to buy GMC. I purchased 5 Fords from 1990 to 2015. All are still on the road and none has had transmission problems. I still have my 95 Ford Bronco. I seem to drive it more to keep the mileage low on my GMC. Greed by GM has made my stomach turn on that decision. They put out a bad product and refuse to stand by the customer. Fluid flush and change should not cost that much. Just sad...

I have a 2018 Colorado ZR2/Z71 with a 8 speed transmission and I flushed mine at 32,000 and again at 72,000 and I paid 360$ at a Gmc dealership in Columbia Tn. No problem with the transmission so far and the last flushing was in April of 2025.

I had the shudder within 6 months of ownership and the dealership said this is normal. I complained and they totally blew it off. Basil Chevrolet in Depew New York this was the end of any relationship with them. I took it to Continental Transmission and did a flush and fill and it totally got rid of the issue. Total cost was 340.00 well worth it now at 102000 miles and no issues. I was so disappointed in this dealer that I totally switched even routine maintenance to another GMC dealership.

Great informative article except for one thing. These trucks when purchased new came with a fluid that was not adequate for the equipment (the original transmission) that was designed & installed in the vehicle. GM should be held responsible for that. They put inadequate fluid in these trucks and should cover the entire cost. It is likely the service life of the transmission will be shortened because of this and by extension, even the truck itself. GM must be required to notify potential purchasers that certain abnormal maintenance costs will be required if these vehicles are purchased. They have been getting away with this for at least 2 decades. In 2004 I purchased a new 2004 Silverado & unbeknownst to me it required special fluid in the differential and required a change costing $1,100. This was never disclosed to me prior to purchase & I would NOT have bought the truck had I known. I could have bought a different brand truck that had no such requirement or expense and would have. I have not bought a new GM vehicle since and currently drive a new 4x4 Ford truck. As we know, the purchase price of any vehicle does not generally include maintenance costs but many vehicles never required a differential fluid change, so this was an abnormal cost that I couldn’t anticipate. This transmission fluid issue is very similar. The initial introduction of early CVT units in many cases was even worse as people thought they were getting traditional automatic transmissions in many cases. The technology was new and many of the units failed prematurely. Legislation is needed to require notice to buyers most who have to finance their vehicles, (at great cost) when they are purchasing a vehicle with dramatically new technologies so that they can make informed decisions.

I have a mechanic that works at a Cadillac dealership and he tells me it’s ridiculous to ever have your transmission flushed. It’s just a way for dealerships to make more money that it never needs to be changed in the whole life of the vehicle. I tend to believe him because every time I’ve changed the fluid it’s always clean. It’s just a gimmick for them to take your money. Tranny fluid is not like oil.

Hello I own a 2018 Silverado High Country which I bought used from Dealer here in Kitchener Ontario Canada with 104000k. Shortly after purchase it developed the dreaded shudder. Which I knew nothing of a problem with these trucks till then. Had the truck flush under warranty.but still suffering from rough shifts and mild shudder they reprogramed the tranny.Then at roughly 138000k the shudder problem was back and paid out of pocket for that. It cost me over 700 CAD for that bill and was told it was for a full flush and filter change that's not what they did they only did the regular flush and no new filter at just below 140000k now you see my concern. The filter should of bin changed but they decided in there infinat wisdom to ignore that step.when I seen the bill and noticed the price and no filter change I was floored. They said it wasn't needed I said I beg to differ it's the second time under 50000k owner ship that this is Bien done. Needless to say I got nowhere with the GM Techs. I'm still having tranny shifting issues extended warranty is done. I told them that the torque should of bin changed out there answer was no the service bulletin in Canada don't state that only a flush is required. But to do a second flush without a new filter to me is wrong what do you think. I think I'm getting fleeced here.s

My 2019 GMC 1500 Sierra literally just started doing the shuddering and I had no idea what was causing it until I read your article. Thank you ! I will be getting it serviced very soon.