GM is opening a recall for a familiar issue, though only for its Model Year 2022 full-size SUVs.
Over the past 18 months, General Motors has launched recall campaigns for faulty transmission control valves that can fail, causing a rear wheel lockup condition at speed. The issue affects several vehicles with 10-speed automatic transmissions, including the company’s cars, trucks, and now, its full-size SUVs. Specifically, according to what the automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this latest recall affects 2022 model year Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade models.
The problem is the transmission control valve, a part of the transmission that controls hydraulic pressure and directs fluid to the right locations when needed. That valve can wear more quickly than expected, potentially creating a fluid leak and loss in pressure that can cause harsh shifting. In some cases, it can cause the wheels to lock up, at least momentarily, creating a serious safety issue both to the occupants of the affected vehicles as well as other motorists, depending on when and where the lockup happens.
In its chronology documenting how it’s been investigating the issue, GM noted the earlier truck recall from November 2024 which affected nearly half a million trucks that could be susceptible to this same problem. As far as its full-size SUVs are concerned, the company acknowledged at least 13 field reports from customers alleging a rear-wheel lockup between November 27, 2023 and October 3, 2025. Of those reports, 12 occurred in 2022 models of GM’s full-size (T1) SUVs.
How many of each model are affected?
In total, this latest recall (NHTSA recall 26V-085 | GM recall N252536750) affects 43,732 full-size SUVs built between May 2022 and July 2022. More popular models like the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban comprise the bulk of that figure, though GM did supply a complete breakdown (all the vehicles we’re talking about are 2022 models only, and I’ll get to why in a moment):
- Chevrolet Tahoe: 17,178 units
- Chevrolet Suburban: 7,616 units
- GMC Yukon: 7,820 units
- GMC Yukon XL: 5,270 units
- Cadillac Escalade: 3,609 units
- Cadillac Escalade ESV: 2,239 units
Most of the full-size SUVs in this recall were built between May 10, 2022 and July 19, 2022 (with the exception of the short-wheelbase Cadillac Escalade, which includes units built between March 17 and July 19, 2022).
However, this recall does NOT impact all SUVs with the 10-speed automatic. It only is recalling vehicles equipped with GM’s “Electronic Transmission Range Select” (ETRS) system, which is a shift-by-wire setup reserved for higher-end 4×4 models that also have electronically controlled transfer cases. So, think High Country Chevrolets, GMC Yukon Denalis and Escalades.
What’s the fix?
As with the earlier recalls, General Motors is fixing this issue through a software update. Dealer technicians will install new transmission control module (TCM) software that will monitor transmission control valve performance. GM says it can detect excess wear 10,000 miles before a lockup condition may occur. If the software does pick up a fault with the valve, it will limit vehicles to fifth gear, which prevents the typical scenario in which lockups happen, namely severe downshifts from eighth to a much lower gear, like second. A service engine light and reduced propulsion message (i.e. limp mode) will display in the instrument cluster, as well.
2023 and later models have this TCM software installed from the factory, so they are not included in the recall population. Impacted owners should receive notices in the mail by March 30, though you can search the NHTSA’s database with your VIN to determine whether your SUV is part of this recall.
General Motors does not specifically mention actually fixing the transmission valve bodies directly, under warranty or otherwise. In late 2024, the automaker did release special coverage for 2020-2022 full-size trucks and SUVs for 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date the vehicle was first placed in service. That service covered units that had repair orders placed after November 26, 2024, though that only included units from an earlier recall. The automaker claims all vehicles eligible for a software update here are still under warranty, so that may expand to include actually repairing the transmission itself if there is already a faulty control valve, or if an owner experiences the defect after this recall goes out.
GM did update its valve body for light-duty 10-speed models, though it’s also unclear whether that is actually going to permanently fix the problem long-term. Owners have also reported waiting months for either new valve bodies or, in some cases, complete transmission replacements as some dealers opt for instead, to try and get around the parts backlog. At any rate, the mess that is GM’s transmission control valve fiasco continues to get messier, no matter which way you slice it.
