The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While approaching a stop, the contact heard grinding metal, which sounded as if the gear was slipping. The vehicle was still able to be driven, but made a continuous whining sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a transmission shop and the entire transmission will need to be rebuilt. The manufacturer stated that they would not assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 51,000 and current mileage was 72,945.

- Pittsburge, PA, USA

While driving my 02 Silverado Z71 (49900 miles) on the freeway at 65/75 mph, I noticed that the truck was slowing down and my foot was still on the gas pedal. The tachometer jumped to 6000-7000 RPM and I was going at 30-40 mph. My truck got towed to a Chevy dealer and cost me $3600 to install a new/reman transmission. The dealer could not specify why the transmission failed.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

Original transmission went 19 months after purchase at 34K miles replaced 6/03 2nd transmission went at 57K truck miles/23K rebuilt transmission miles 6/04. 3rd transmission went at 114K truck miles/57K rebuilt transmission miles 1/4/07. The warranty on the third transmission expired Nov 24, 2006 just 41 days after the warranty expired.

- Darien Center, NY, USA

Purchased 2002 Chevy Silverado truck Nov.21, 2001 1st transmission replaced 6/03 with 34000 truck miles 2nd transmission replaced 6/04 with 57000 truck miles; 23000 miles on new transmission 3rd transmission blew 1/07 with 114000 truck miles; 56400 miles on this transmission.

- Darien Center, NY, USA

I request that your Agency investigate an irresponsible and intentional action on the part of the General Motors corporation (GM) to purposely install an inferior/defective sun shell spline in the transmission of countless trucks and SUVS. When substantiated, I request that your Agency take action to force GM to take responsibility for this action, conduct a recall campaign, and reimburse consumers that have already had to pay for these expensive repairs out of their pockets. I own a 2002, 1500 Silverado, Z-71 truck VIN [xxx]5 with 52,600 miles. On May 3, 2006 the transmission failed with reverse, 2nd and 4th gears not functioning. Upon internal inspection at the local aamoco transmission repair shop it was determined that the failure was caused by an inferior/defective sun shell spline. The transmission expert at the shop stated that this was a common problem in GM trucks and that it was known by GM and as a result a new stronger sun shell spline had been installed, after supplies of the inferior/defective parts were exhausted. I did further research on the web and was able to confirm the transmission shops statements with many complaints found by GM truck owners for the same premature and expensive transmission failures. It is very obvious from the experiences of other GM truck owners that GM does not intend to stand behind their products that are out of warranty due an inferior/defective part that appears to have been knowingly installed. The cost for rebuilding my transmission was $2951.75, which I have had to pay for out of pocket. Your attention this mater is greatly appreciated. Updated 07/16/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Middletown, OH, USA

: the contact stated while attempting to back into a parking space there was a whining noise present from the transmission of the vehicle. The vehicle was put into drive and driven 50 yards and then placed into park. While in park the whining noise persisted and the speedometer went from 0 to 20. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for inspection who determined the transmission needs replaced. Updated 5/23/2006 -

- Childersburg, AL, USA

2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 - at 23,000 miles the transmission failed and was rebuilt/replaced at a GM dealership in Pennsylvania - at 53,000 mile transmission failed and was replaced at a transmission shop due to being out of warrenty (that's a suprise) the trany shop found that the GM dealership had not even replaced all of the bolts in the transmission. The cost was $1500 plus a rental car during the repair process. I can see that this seems to be an ongoing problem with the transmission. My concern is that if my wife is driving and the transmission fails again. GM should have more than enough information to do a recall on the transmission.

- West Union, WV, USA

: the contact stated while driving the neutral start backup switch gets wet and causes the transmission to lock up. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the contact was informed of the problem.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

: the contact stated while attempting to pass another vehicle at 45 mph, there was a loud noise noticed coming from under the vehicle. The transmission was slipping and the reverse was inoperable. The dealership was alerted.

- Willard, MO, USA

2001-2002 Silverado pickup with allison lct1000 auto-trans. Bulletin 02-07-30-011B I have had this switch fail twice, GM knows of the bulletin but fails to see how dangerous the truck becomes when switch fails. You have variety of shifting problem, and truck lunges into and out of gears as you can not find neutral/park.

- Bay City , MI, USA

Tried to drive truck Dec. 28, 2005 had no reverse. By time I could drive to dealers it didn't want to shift in forward gears. Dealer took apart and said some things came apart inside the transmission. Cost me $2000. 2002 Silverado only had 45000 miles on it.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

My vehicle has sustained two complete transmission failures within 50K miles of usage. The first failure occurred around 25K miles while trying to get out my driveway. The second failure occurred around 50K miles while traveling on a highway at 65 mph. Luckily, I was able to make it into the breakdown without incident (only because of light traffic conditions). In both cases, the transmission was replaced under warranty service, so I don't have a complaint about that aspect. I do worry about the fact that two transmission failures occurring at around 25K miles apart suggests a pattern of failure.

- Tiverton, RI, USA

The contact stated while driving on the interstate there was severe vibration. He drove slowly to the dealer for inspection while the vibration weakened at a reduced speed. The dealer performed a diagnostic test that produced a code involving the automatic transmission. Upon further inspection, the extension housing of the transmission cracked and was leaking transmission oil. No repairs were performed by the dealer due to the extensive work and expense. The contact scheduled an appointment with a transmission specialist to repair the vehicle.

- Mannington, WV, USA

Hello: Last week my transmission gave out on my 2002 Chevy Silverado when I was going down the highway. After a detailed investigation, I have discovered that this is a common problem with this particular transmission, as they have corrected it on the 2003 models. I have 58,000 miles on my vehicle. The sun shell in the transmission "strips" out it's gears due to improper material used for the part. There is a technical bulletin on this matter. It cost me $2300 to have it fixed. Please let me know what I can do. Thanks so much.

- Forney, TX, USA

My 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Z-71 transmission went out with only 45,000 miles on the truck. I had it repaired and was told it is a very common problem with Chevrolet and GMC trucks.

- Axis, AL, USA

The reverse gear went out in the transmission that cost $800 to fix. Took vehicle to morris transmission service, and the dealer recommended to them that since the warranty expired they have been after GM to change it because it was the same part that broke every time. It was not a strong enough part for the transmission. This happened around August 4, 2005.

- Greenwell Springs, LA, USA

Contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving consumer's vehicle began to pass another vehicle. When the vehicle went into passing gear consumer heard a loud noise. Consumer let off the gas and the vehicle shifted into another gear. While taking the vehicle to the garage consumer realized there was no reverse and it was shifting oddly. The service dealer stated the transmission will have to be repaired, but did not know the cause of the transmission failure. There had been no previous problems regarding the transmission and the vehicle has minimal usage. The warranty of the vehicle was for 3 years/36,000 miles, the vehicle has approximately 38,000 miles when this incident occurred.

- Olean, NY, USA

2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 Z71 5.3L transmission sun gear. At 37260 miles the gear failed, my vehicle it did not have reverse, and it would not shift into 2nd gear. I had to have my transmission rebuilt and the transmission shop said that it was a common problem. The cost to me was $1963 and if it is a known problem from the manufacturer then it should have been covered by General Motors and not me or the other buyers of this model truck. GM ought to reimburse us for the cost since they were aware of the problem and could have fixed it prior to the problem by recalls.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

2002 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 5.3L transmission.sun gear..at 75000 miles the gear failed in a parking garage when I parked my truck I had appox.2 feet between my truck and the wall.when I returned to my vehicle the trucks front bumper was touching the wall.thankfully it wasn't parked so it would have rolled down the ramp. After starting my vehicle it did not have reverse and after getting it out of the ramp it would not shift into 2nd gear.I spoke with the dealer that I had purchased the truck from and he said that it was a common problem.also I talked to other people that have the same transmission and they have had the same problems. I thenk there should be a recall on this because if I had something in tow or the parking brake were to fail it could posibly injure or kill some one if it were to roll away. I had to have my transmission rebuilt and the transmission shop said that it was a common problem and that GM has come out with a revised part that is hardend.

- Northeast, PA, USA

On the way to my doctor's appt, I noticed that my truck did not shift to 2nd very well, but I parked, and when I was attempting to back out of parking space, the truck would not go into reverse. On the way to dealership (rick hendrix Chevrolet), I noticed that it would not shift into 4th (overdrive). When I had the guys check my truck, they told me that the 2nd, 4th and reverse gears had gone out on my truck: A 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4dr extended cab ls 4WD 5.3ltr engine. Which I have had for 1 year and 6 months. The dealership would not repair it unless I pay $1800! there is currently no recall on this problem, but there is a kit available for the dealership to fix it! there are many complaints I have found on the internet about this specific problem... I am lucky so far...I have not been injured or my 8 Y/O daughter who I have full custody of and am concerned about her well being when riding in my vehicle! I guess people have to die in order for a recall to be made by General Motors.

- Durham, NC, USA