2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Drivetrain Software Recall (26V083)
General Motors, LLC · 1,055 vehicles · Reported February 12, 2026
General Motors, LLC is recalling 1,055 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 2021-2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up. Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 26V083 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V083000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | N252516560 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 12, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 2021-2022 GMC Sierra 1500 |
| Units affected | 1,055 |
| Build dates | October 19, 2021 to February 28, 2022 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission > Control Module > Software |
| Safety risk | Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in recall 26V083?
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Silverado 1500 with recall 26V083?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the software.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V083?
Recall 26V083 covers 1,055 vehicles: 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500; 2021-2022 GMC Sierra 1500.
NHTSA lists 1,055 vehicles in this campaign, built October 19, 2021 to February 28, 2022. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 |
| 2021-2022 | GMC | Sierra 1500 |
What is the fix for the Silverado 1500 drivetrain software recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge.
Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
When was recall 26V083 announced?
General Motors, LLC reported recall 26V083 to NHTSA on February 12, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as March 6, 2026.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 19, 2021 | First affected vehicle built (per General Motors, LLC's filing). |
| February 28, 2022 | Last affected vehicle built. |
| February 12, 2026 | General Motors, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 26V083000. |
| March 6, 2026 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 7 months ago, and vehicles were built over a span of 132 days. If your Silverado 1500 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Silverado 1500 is part of recall 26V083?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V083 is open on your Silverado 1500, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 26V083000 is open on your Silverado 1500, it will be listed there, along with Chevrolet recall number N252516560. You can also ask any Chevrolet dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Silverado 1500 owners do about recall 26V083?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V083000 applies to your Silverado 1500.
- Call a Chevrolet dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the software happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Silverado 1500 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 2,620 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 655 of them about the transmission.
Since recall 26V083 was reported on February 12, 2026, owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 18 of them (9%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the transmission and were received on or after February 12, 2026, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related transmission issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 2,620 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 655 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 828 complaints in total, 232 about the transmission
- 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 632 complaints in total, 179 about the transmission
- 2022 GMC Sierra 1500: 587 complaints in total, 107 about the transmission
- 2021 GMC Sierra 1500: 573 complaints in total, 137 about the transmission
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while her husband was driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle experienced reduced engine power and failed to exceed 30 MPH. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The driver turned off and restarted the vehicle.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 owner, ID, NHTSA complaint 11633839, filed January 3, 2025
My 2022 Sierra Denali shows message "Shift To Park" when turning off, even though it has been shifted to park, the dashboard stays lit as well as the radio on.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11634916, filed January 8, 2025
My truck lost power while driving on the interstate.. had to restart while traffic moved around me.. truck eventually restarted and then again died while getting off exit ramp in traffic. Towed to Dealership and was diagnosed with a "blown" rod bearing. Full Engine replacement.
2022 GMC Sierra 1500 owner, MI, NHTSA complaint 11636878, filed January 19, 2025
Can recall 26V083 make my Silverado 1500 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 26V083000 does not automatically make your Silverado 1500 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.
This campaign follows an earlier recall for the same issue. A second recall can mean the first remedy failed, and repeated repair attempts on the same defect are the core of most lemon law claims.
Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 24V797000.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Silverado 1500 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A software update can count as a repair attempt, especially if you complained about the problem or the update keeps being repeated. I've seen dealers do the same software update five or six times with no fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Silverado 1500 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 26V083
Did the recall 26V083 fix work?
Since recall 26V083 was reported on February 12, 2026, owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on these vehicles. 18 of them (9%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed March 6, 2026.
Is the 26V083000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Silverado 1500 is part of recall 26V083000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 26V083000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet, GMC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.