The 2014 Silverado has its quirks. The biggest- as I found out at the expense of my sanity- is the transmission. Although not catastrophic, the problems with the transmissions on the 2014 Silverado(s) are very much present and are something any potential buyer or current owner should know about.
With unique faults of their own and seemingly accelerated wear and tear, these transmissions, whilst not completely impossible, are difficult to live with nevertheless. Issues range from annoying rattles to majorly dangerous ones, like the gears not engaging properly.
As I found out throughout the months of ownership, the problems appear suddenly, unlike other transmissions that bark before dying on you. A lot of the issues have their solutions, but many also share a few common fixes.
If you are a prospective buyer or already own one of these trucks, you might want to read along and learn about certain issues and their fixes.
2014 Chevy Silverado Transmission Problems and Their Fixes
The list of problems that you can make with the 2014 Silverado transmissions is vast. Here are some of the more common problems on the 2014 Chevy Silverado transmissions along with a few possible solutions.
Difficulty shifting
Unfortunately for me, my woes with the transmission started with what I consider the worst of them all. Suddenly, all out of the blue, the shifts became difficult and rendered the truck almost undrivable.
The fault in my case turned out to be some bad solenoids. But these are not the only things that can go wrong. Damaged clutches; damaged shifter cables are also faults that can cause shifting to be difficult,
If you ever have a hard time shifting, you should first check up on fluid levels. Starting with basics, fill the transmission up to the correct levels and check for leaks. Further than that, get it checked and emphasize the clutches, the shifter cables, and the shifter linkage.
Transmission shaking
Transmission rattle or shaking is another common problem. As alluded to before, these transmissions and the components seem to wear out quicker than normal. The clutches wear out quickly and become the primary cause for the transmission to start shaking. However, low fluid levels can also replicate this problem.
In your case, if you ever diagnose the cause of your truck shaking back to the transmission, focus on the fluid level first, as low fluid can be a common cause. Top up on fluid, and if that doesn’t fix it, then you might have to start thinking about replacing the clutches.
Gear slipping
When the gears do not sync up with one another and refuse to engage, it is referred to as gear slippage. Despite the fact that I was never personally afflicted by slipping gears, it is a well-documented problem that does occur, and it is a significant one at that.
Slipping gears present a significant danger and are the result of normal wear and tear. For repairs, it is recommended to provide careful attention to routine maintenance procedures such as changing the fluid and replacing a transmission belt that has been disheveled.
No acceleration
Similar to the slipping of gears, a loss of power when accelerating is something I have never encountered, but it is a widespread problem that needs to be highlighted.
The pace of wear and tear on these transmissions appears to be accelerated, which is something I discovered and have previously mentioned. Things that were supposed to break in five years chose to do so in three months instead. These transmissions’ torque converters and clutches wear out quickly, which is the fundamental reason why there is no acceleration power.
When it comes to making repairs, you should investigate straightforward options such as topping off and refilling the transmission fluid. Following that, you should have both the torque converter and the clutches inspected by professionals. If there are signs of excessive wear on the components, then they need to be replaced in order to keep the truck driveable.
Noise
If the transmission of a 2014 Silverado sounds like it is about to break, then it almost certainly is. In all seriousness, this is another one of those problems that appear over time, just sooner in the case of 2014 Chevy Silverado transmissions. And specifically, a bearing that has seen better days is typically the culprit behind transmission noise.
When a transmission bearing fails, it needs to be changed as soon as possible. Lubricating the bearing might be enough to get you through. But the success of this strategy is very dependent on the condition of the bearing.
If a bearing has already begun to make a rattling sound, there is a very small possibility that it will continue to function normally. Replacing it is paramount as bad bearings can disintegrate inside the transmission and cause more costly damage.
Do’s and Don’ts
The best thing I could do for my 2014 Silverado transmission is to take care of it. It sounds like a cliché because it is. I found out that the better I stayed on top of the maintenance, like adding transmission fluid, the less frequent problems became. Although certain parts that are simply too fragile went wrong, nonetheless, I did have fewer troubles when I was attentive.
Also, avoiding a lift- to my disdain- was a choice I had to make. Lifts and larger tires put extra strain on the drive train and the transmission. Even after considering and comparing options like 4-inch lift vs 6-inch lift on Silverado(s) this door had to be closed. Lifts can and do increase chances of catastrophic transmission failures, which is a risk I must not run.
FAQ
Here are some quick-fire questions that answer the most common 2014 silverado transmission problems related concerns.
If the gears on your 2014 Silverado feel like they are slipping out, then there is a problem with the transmission, and you need to get it checked. Issues like improper syncing and gears not engaging are primary causes, and gear slipping itself can make the truck dangerous to drive.
Lifts and larger-diameter tires will put extra strain on your transmission and might cause it to fail.
Every transmission, like every other mechanical part, gives out to wear and tear and deteriorates over time.
In 2014 Silverado(s), bad torque converters and worn-out clutches in the transmission can lead to a lack of power when accelerating.
Conclusion
There are plenty of 2014 silverado transmission problems. “These transmissions just like to go wrong” That is the best comment I can make and is one that is sadly true. And thanks to the fragility of these transmissions, owners can often find themselves locked out of upgrades like a suspension lift.
Frustrating issues like losing all power and more dangerous ones like gear slipping occur. But with care, these transmissions and livable and should not necessarily deter you from one of these trucks.
