“My 2023 Chevy Suburban Decelerated From 80 MPH Down To 60 Without Warning While I’m in the Fast Lane, and I Thought I Was Going To Wreck”

Does the Chevy Suburban have transmission problems? Cynthia says her 2023 Suburban auto-decelerated without warning on the highway, which could have caused a serious accident. Her warning is for all Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC SUV, and truck owners. 

Do the Chevy Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra, and Yukon have serious transmission problems that owners should know about?

Cynthia (@cinbad14) in her TikTok clip says her 2023 Chevrolet Suburban and other GM models have serious transmission issues that caused her SUV to auto-decelerate on its own while she is driving on the interstate. It could have caused a serious accident or, worse, a loss of life. 

She says, "I was headed home from a beach trip on the interstate, driving about 80 mph. My car (2023 Chevrolet Suburban) auto-decelerated on its own down to 60 mph without warning while I’m in the fast lane. I thought I was going to wreck."

Imagine following a Chevy Suburban on the highway, after a day at the Cherokee Lake Beach, as you are driving back to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where you live. You have your kids in the car and are in the fast lane because you want to return home before sunset. 

It's been a fun weekend, but you are tired and not fully paying attention to the road. Suddenly, the large Suburban SUV decelerated from 80 mph to 60 mph without warning. 

You did not see any brake lights on the SUV to warn you. You must react quickly and slam on your brakes to avoid rear-ending the vehicle ahead of you. Thankfully, you slow down quickly to prevent a rear-end collision. It was terrifying. 

Now picture Cynthia's shock that turned into terror when her Chevy Suburban decelerated from 80 mph down to 60 mph without warning, potentially leading to a serious accident. 

Cynthia says, "This public service announcement may save a life." 

"If you see an SUV or a truck made by GM, like a Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, or a GMC Sierra, driving in the slow lane on the interstate, do not drive behind us."

"There has been a massive recall and stop sale on these vehicles due to faulty transmissions. The transmissions all of a sudden fail going down the interstate when you go 80 miles per hour and suddenly decelerate to 60 mph." 

"They have no control over the vehicle then. Our rear wheels will lock, and then who knows what happens next. So, if you see us in the slow lane, do not drive near us."

In a follow-up TikTok clip

Cynthia says, "Comments from the previous video say it's because I didn't research. Well, what do you think I did before I went out and spent tens of thousands of dollars on a car?" 

"I didn't just drive onto a car lot to buy that car. I looked for it for two years for the one I wanted. I found it. There were none of these recalls when I bought the vehicle."

"The only recall was for exterior lighting, so I didn't think that was a big issue. However, that has since been fixed. I didn't know my car had problems until I was driving home on the interstate, going 80 miles per hour, and it auto-decelerated to 60 mph."

"Thank God that no one was hurt," she says. 

Cynthia Takes her Suburban to the Chevrolet dealer, however, there's a problem.

"Then I took it to the Chevrolet dealer, and they told me they currently do not have the parts for it and will have to sit there. I can't drive a vehicle, I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on it now." 

"Now, I'm waiting for the parts for the recall to be fixed."

"I was told it has to do with the auto-stop/auto-start feature. The problem causes the transmission to fail in GM vehicles. Also, when the engine goes from a V8 down to a four-cylinder, that's another main issue. 

"Now, they are telling me, instead of 0W20 oil, we need to put 0W40in these things," she says in disbelief." 

Cynthia told Rebekah Harding, a reporter for the Daily Dot, that she began experiencing issues with her 2023 Chevrolet Suburban in December. 

"I started getting low oil notifications within 1,000 miles of getting a new oil change. There was no leak," she says. "I didn't have any issues until I was headed home from a beach trip on the interstate, driving about 80. My car auto-decelerated on its own down to 60 without warning. I thought I was going to wreck."

She's currently waiting for the parts needed to fix her transmission. Due to the recall, there is a backlog now of other Chevrolet Suburbans, Tahoes, and Silverado trucks at the dealer that are ahead of her waiting to be fixed.

It Could Be Months Before Her Suburban Is Fixed

"The dealership plugged my car into a tool (called an OBD-II scanner), ran the codes, and told me it was a transmission issue and recall, but they don't have the parts for any of these vehicles. It could take months," she concludes. 

Here is what Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra, and Yukon owners need to know.

These GM vehicles can experience transmission problems, including fluid leaks and delayed shifts. Some owners have reported issues with transmission failures, even with relatively low mileage. However, transmission problems are not universally reported across all models. 

GM recalled these models due to a potential failure in the transmission control valve, which could cause the rear wheels to lock up. 

A More Detailed Explanation:

1. Transmission Control Valve Issue: The issue stems from a transmission control valve that may be susceptible to excessive wear over time, potentially leading to harsh shifts and even a rear-wheel lockup.
2. Vehicles Affected: The recalls impact a range of models, including the Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, and others, from the 2020-2023 model years.
3. Fixes: To address the issue, GM provides a free installation of new transmission control module software and a special coverage program for repairing transmissions with defective control valves. According to a report from Newsweek
4. Stop Sale: GM has also requested that all dealers stop delivering affected vehicles until the issue is resolved
5. Safety Concern: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified this issue as a potential safety risk, leading to the recall. 

How About You?

Do you own a Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Sierra, or Yukon? Have you experienced transmission issues? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your experience.

Check out my Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon story. Erica says her 2024 Chevy Tahoe left her stranded on the side of the road. The issues were so bad she sold it and bought a 2025 GMC Yukon. Now her Yukon is having problems.  

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Cynthia