Vehicle shudders while accelerating and a constant speed from 1000-3000 rpm. Vehicle will shudder/shake for hundreds of miles at highway speed. Vehicle shakes violently going up steep grade. Vehicle shake is so consistently random it makes passengers ill. Warranty claim denied by GM after issue was recognized by technician.
2024 GMC Sierra HD powertrain problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2024 GMC Sierra HD's powertrain is failing across multiple systems, with transmission problems dominating the complaints. The Allison 10-speed transmission valve body is the leading culprit: owners report sudden limp mode engagement, reduced power to 35–40 mph, loud clunking and grinding noises, and erratic or violent shifting. These failures happen at low mileage (6,000–68,000 miles), often within months of purchase. Diagnosis is confirmed, but the replacement valve body is backordered 60–90+ days nationwide, with some trucks sitting at dealerships since June 2024 with no estimated delivery date.
A related issue is transmission solenoid failure; owners cite stuck solenoid valves and TCM warnings that restrict power during highway driving and towing. Transmission fluid leaks also appear, including one case where coolant contaminated the transmission at 21,000 miles, requiring both transmission and radiator replacement under warranty.
Beyond transmission failures, owners report complete electrical shutdowns requiring tow-in, erratic check engine lights that disappear without logging data, transfer case seal failures with recurring issues, a dangerous column shifter design that causes accidental neutral engagement, and one report of trailer brake failure during towing. A recall (N242435631) addressed battery drain in January 2025, but electrical failures recurred days later. One owner experienced a chemical odor from the ventilation system shortly after recall service. Wheel lock-ups on the highway and one case of transmission lock-up even after replacement round out the powertrain nightmare reported across 21 complaints.
Same GMC Sierra HD powertrain reports on nearby years: 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission Valve Body Failure
Allison 10-speed transmission valve body failures trigger limp mode, reduced power, erratic shifting, and loss of acceleration. Owners report loud clunking and grinding noises, sudden power loss on highways, and inability to maintain speed. Multiple owners indicate valve body replacements are backordered 60–90+ days nationwide. Some dealers have had the parts on backorder since June 2024 with no estimated delivery.
When: 6,000–68,000 miles; failures reported within weeks to months of purchase for 2024 model year trucks
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode with reduced power limited to 35–40 mph; Loud clunking and grinding noises from transmission; Erratic or violent shifting between gears; Check engine light illumination; Sudden loss of acceleration while merging or on highway; Vehicle shuddering and shaking at highway speeds (1000–3000 rpm range); Inability to shift into reverse or maintain forward motion
Codes mentioned: P0777 – Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Stuck On, P0700 – Transmission Control System Malfunction, P0747 – Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Performance
Repairs/costs cited: Valve body replacement; one owner reports radiator replacement also performed due to coolant leak into transmission fluid. Parts severely backordered; repair timelines unknown. One truck at dealership since June 2024 with four other 2024 HD models also waiting. Another owner reports valve body diagnosed but truck on backorder status with no ETA as of June 2025.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM opened a case for one owner and referred them to NHTSA Hotline. Recall N242454440 (2020–2022 vehicles) mentioned but not extended to 2024 models despite identical transmission valve body failures. Multiple dealers acknowledged this is a widespread known issue.
Transmission Solenoid Valve Failure
Transmission control module (TCM) solenoid valve stuck open or otherwise faulty, causing limp mode engagement and power reduction. One owner explicitly states a transmission solenoid valve was stuck open. Another reports P0777 code (Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Stuck On). Failures occur during towing and normal highway driving.
When: Reported at 50,000 miles and shortly after purchase (within months for 2024 model year)
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode engagement with reduced engine power; TCM warning light and check engine light; Loss of acceleration ability; Difficulty merging or maintaining highway speeds
Codes mentioned: P0777 – Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Stuck On, Transmission solenoid valve stuck open (dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Solenoid valve replacement ordered; one owner reports indefinite wait for part due to backorder affecting multiple 2024 HD models. Owner states GMC and dealerships knew about the problem before sale.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2024 models. One owner reported calling GM twice regarding Safety Recall N242454440 (2020–2022 vehicles) to request extension to 2024 model year; no response received since June 2024.
Transmission Fluid Leak
Transmission fluid leaking onto garage floor and radiator coolant contaminating transmission fluid. One owner reports coolant leak from radiator into transmission, necessitating both transmission and radiator replacement at 21,000 miles.
When: 8,808 miles and 21,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid pooling on garage floor; Transmission hesitation before shifting; Check transmission warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner with coolant contamination: both transmission and radiator replaced under warranty at 21,000 miles. Another owner with fluid leak: dealer unable to diagnose; transmission reportedly on national backorder.
Transfer Case Seal Failure
Transfer case seals failing and causing brief hesitation during driving. Dealer diagnosed and repaired seals, but failure recurred on return to dealer.
When: 6,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brief hesitation while driving at undisclosed speed; Check engine light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Seals repaired; failure recurred and was re-diagnosed by same dealer but not repaired on second visit.
Complete Electrical Failure
Total electrical shutdowns rendering the vehicle inoperable. One owner reports two separate complete electrical failures within days: first on February 7, 2025, requiring high-powered jump pack and Ford Super Duty jump-start; second on February 10 requiring towing. Truck drew 90 milliamps parasitic draw versus normal 40 milliamps.
When: February 2025; one truck with 21,000 miles at time of initial electrical failure
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of all electronic functions; Vehicle will not start with standard jump pack; High parasitic electrical draw (90 mA vs. normal 40 mA); Dashboard alerts for Brake System, Anti-Lock Braking System, Emissions System, and Powertrain requiring service; Requires towing to dealership
Repairs/costs cited: First occurrence required Ford Super Duty and high-powered jump pack to force-start. Second occurrence required towing. Truck under warranty investigation for parasitic battery drain.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall N242435631 performed on January 7, 2025, addressing battery drain defect and total vehicle shutdowns, but failures recurred within one month.
Erratic Check Engine Light (Unlogged Warnings)
Check engine light illuminates and extinguishes without retaining diagnostic information in the onboard system or GM app. One owner reports this occurring multiple times over one week in late January 2025. Warnings appear on first key cycle and vanish on second key cycle without being logged by the vehicle's diagnostic system.
When: January 31 – February 1, 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates without warning message in GM app; Light disappears on next key cycle; Onboard diagnostics fail to log or retain warning data; Pattern repeats across multiple key cycles
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; issue involves diagnostic system failure to capture and retain warning codes.
Rough Downshifting and Irregular Acceleration
Transmission exhibits rough downshifting in lower gears and irregular acceleration. One owner also reports truck lurching forward 2–2.5 feet while shifting into park.
When: Within months of lease start (lease began May 17, 2024; reported January 7, 2025)
Symptoms owners cite: Rough downshifting in lower gears; Irregular acceleration; Forward lurch of 2–2.5 feet when shifting into park
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM performed Recall N242435631 on January 7, 2025, but address battery drain rather than shifting issues.
Trailer Brake Failure
Trailer brakes fail during active towing, causing loss of braking ability for the trailer. Owner was pulling a 40-foot fifth-wheel trailer at 50 mph when brakes failed, recurring twice more within the same 10-mile trip. Extremely dangerous, especially with heavy loads.
When: During towing operations; exact mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Trailer brakes unresponsive when applied simultaneously with truck brakes; Repeated failure within same trip (three occurrences in 10 miles); No warning prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repaired the issue; specific repair not detailed.
Column Shifter Design Interference with Infotainment
The column shifter on 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD models obstructs the infotainment screen and volume/home button access. Driver may accidentally bump the shifter into neutral while attempting to interact with the display, causing unintended shift into neutral. This poses a safety risk when hauling heavy loads or trailers, as neutral disengages engine braking and exhaust braking, degrading stopping ability.
When: Design issue present in all 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD models
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter obscures infotainment screen and control access; Accidental bumping of shifter into neutral while reaching for radio volume or home button; Unintended neutral engagement during towing operations
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs available; owner recommends GM redesign the shifter to be shorter than steering wheel diameter and replace all affected units at no charge.
Chemical Odor from Ventilation System
Intense chemical odor emanating from the vehicle ventilation system. One owner reported this occurring on January 24, 2025, shortly after the truck was brought in for service and recall work.
When: January 24, 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Intense chemical odor through ventilation system
Wheel Lock-Up (Anti-Lock Braking System Malfunction)
Rear wheels locked up momentarily on the highway at speeds between 41–52 mph, causing dangerous loss of vehicle control. Three separate instances reported in one complaint.
When: Highway speeds 41–52 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden rear wheel lock-up; Momentary loss of vehicle control
Transmission Lock-Up (Complete Failure of Forward Motion)
Transmission locks up entirely, stopping the truck's ability to pull or move forward. One owner reports multiple dealership visits and two transmission replacements, but the same failure recurs with the replacement unit, with dealer stating no further assistance available.
When: Mileage and exact timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission locks up, stopping forward motion entirely; Vehicle brought to complete stop or 20–30 mph from highway speeds; Failure recurs even after transmission replacement
Repairs/costs cited: One transmission was installed as replacement; failure recurred with replacement unit. Multiple dealership visits resulted in no permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no further assistance available after second transmission failure.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Upon exiting the freeway, I pressed the gas and the vehicles rpm’s went up to 4K plus on a diesel engine, no acceleration. Thought maybe there was ice and had lost traction, tried again, same thing. Then a shudder, bang and pop. The check engine light went on and informed me of limited power and acceleration. There was no acceleration. Rpm’s would go to 2000 plus just to move. Got it to the…
2024 Gmc sierra Denali ultimate 3500hd equipped with duramax lp5 and Allison 10 speed transmission mission. Towing cargo trailer Thursday November 21 up 4 degree incline transmission let loose banged and popped slammed to a stop almost causing accident and went to limp mode. Took to dealership in show low Arizona. Was told this is common problem and it’s the valve body assembly and parts are…
The transmission is locking up, to the point it stoped pulling, it has been to several dealerships, and they can’t find any problems, put another transmission in the truck and it’s doing the same thing, the dealer ship told us there’s nothing they can do for us!
Experienced loss of power and inability to maintain highway speeds. The Transmission shifted violently and RPMs went as high as 3500. Was able to move off the highway but cars behind us had to dodge us when it failed. There was warning message on the dash and a CEL. The truck threw two codes P0700, P0747. I was able to limp to a dealer 5 miles away. This is a known TSB with GM. There is a…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2024 GMC Sierra HD?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2024 GMC Sierra HD?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 22 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 33,202 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2024/GMC/Sierra HD.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.