10L80: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The 10L80 is the ten-speed rear-drive automatic GM co-developed with Ford, which builds its version as the 10R80. GM's version debuted in the Camaro ZL1 as the 10L90 and now backs the 6.2L, 5.3L and 3.0 Duramax in Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade. Several recalls address control-valve wear that can lock the rear wheels.

Ford and GM signed an agreement in April 2013 to co-develop nine- and ten-speed automatics; Ford led the rear-drive ten-speed while GM led the front-drive nine-speed. The two ten-speeds share six clutches and four planetary gearsets but use their own software, valve bodies, pump gears and fluid: GM specifies Dexron ULV and Ford specifies Mercon ULV. GM's heavier-duty 10L90 launched in the Camaro ZL1, and heavy-duty diesel pickups use a separate Allison-branded 10L1000.

GM's 2024 information bulletin 22-NA-182 lists harsh shifting, shudder and overheating complaints on 10L80, 10L90 and 10L1000 vehicles and points first to twisted cooler lines and the thermal bypass valve. Separately, NHTSA recalls 24V797, 26V083 and 26V085 cover 10-speed trucks and SUVs, and recall 25V148 covers Camaro and Cadillac cars, all because internal valve wear can lock the wheels.

10L80 at a glance

GM Hydra-Matic 10L80 ten-speed automatic: model years
VersionModel yearsDocumented problemsRecalls
GM Hydra-Matic 10L80 ten-speed automatic2017–present24

CarWhere lists 2 documented problems and 4 NHTSA recalls for the 10L80, each with a source.

10L80 specifications

10L80: design facts (2017–present)
SpecificationValue
Co-developmentFord–GM agreement of April 2013; Ford led the 10-speed design[1]
LayoutSix clutch packs, four planetary gearsets[1]
FluidDexron ULV (not interchangeable with Ford's Mercon ULV)[1]
GM-specific hardwareHelical pump gears, magnetic manual valve, latch ball valve[1]
Electronic range select (ETRS)RPO MHS and MQC units, per GM bulletin 22-NA-182[2]
Thermal bypass valveInside the valve body; opens at 143°F (61°C)[2]
Heavy-duty sibling10L1000 (Allison-branded) in Silverado and Sierra HD[3]

Which GM vehicles have the 10L80?

GM models and model years offered with the 10L80
ModelModel yearsNotes
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (10L90)2017–2024
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500 (6.2L)2019–present
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500 (3.0 Duramax)2020–present
Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban / GMC Yukon / Cadillac Escalade2021–present
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500 (2.7 TurboMax L4B)2027Replaces the 8-speed with the 2.7L

10L80 problems and what to check

Harsh shifts, shudder and overheating (2021–2024)

Moderate

GM's information bulletin 22-NA-182 (March 2024, replacing PIP5792) covers harsh shifting, shudder, surging, stalling, neutral or flare conditions and overheating on vehicles with the 10L80, 10L90 and 10L1000, among others. On low-mileage vehicles it identifies a twisted cooler line as a cause, and otherwise points to the thermal bypass valve in the valve body.[2]

Symptoms

  • Harsh or clunky upshifts and downshifts
  • Shudder or surge at light throttle
  • High transmission temperature, or code P27EC on ETRS units

Check before buying

  • Test shifts cold and warm, including stop-and-go traffic
  • Inspect the rubber section of the cooler lines for twisting
  • Check fluid level by GM's procedure and scan for transmission codes

GM program: GM Service Bulletin 22-NA-182

Control valve wear and wheel lock-up (2019–2022)

Major repair

NHTSA recalls describe wear inside the transmission control valve that can drop pressure and, in rare cases, lock the drive wheels momentarily. The remedy installs software that detects the wear about 10,000 miles before lock-up could occur and limits the transmission to fifth gear until it is repaired.[4][5][6]

Symptoms

  • Harsh shifting that gets worse over time
  • Transmission held in fifth gear with a warning
  • Momentary wheel lock-up in rare cases

Check before buying

  • Run the VIN for 24V797, 26V083, 26V085 or 25V148 as applicable
  • Ask whether the transmission was flagged and repaired after the software update

10L80 recalls

NHTSA safety recalls related to the 10L80 (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaignReportedVehiclesSummary
24V7972024-102020–2022 diesel Silverado / Sierra 1500 (plus HD diesels) and 2021 diesel Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade463,295 vehiclesThe transmission control valve could fail and lock the rear wheels; dealers install TCM software, with special coverage for transmissions it flags.
25V1482025-032020–2022 Camaro, 2019–2020 CT6 and 2020–2021 CT4 and CT5 with the 10-speed90,081 vehiclesInternal transmission damage from control-valve wear could lock the wheels; dealers install monitoring software.
26V0832026-022020–2022 Silverado / Sierra 1500 and 2020 HD trucks repaired under 24V7971,055 vehiclesRe-recall for trucks that may have been repaired incorrectly under 24V797.
26V0852026-022022 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL, Escalade, Escalade ESV with the 10-speed and ETRS43,743 vehiclesThe transmission control valve could fail and lock the rear wheels; dealers install new TCM software.

10L80 issues by model

The same transmission shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Related GM research

Confirm a vehicle really has the 10L80.

Engine and transmission RPO codes are recorded against the VIN. The CarWhere build sheet decodes a Chevrolet VIN into the factory-ordered option codes on record — engine, transmission, axle and packages. $9.99, instant.

Chevrolet build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Is the GM 10L80 the same as the Ford 10R80?

They share the same basic hardware, six clutches and four planetary gearsets, from a 2013 joint program that Ford led. GM uses its own software, valve body, pump gears and Dexron ULV fluid, so parts and fluids are not all interchangeable.

What vehicles use the GM 10-speed?

The Camaro ZL1 (as the 10L90), 2019-and-later Silverado and Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L, trucks with the 3.0 Duramax, and 2021-and-later Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Escalade.

Is there a recall on the GM 10-speed transmission?

Yes. Recalls 24V797 and 26V083 cover 2020–2022 diesel trucks and SUVs, 26V085 covers 2022 full-size SUVs with electronic range select, and 25V148 covers 2020–2022 Camaros and some Cadillac sedans. All address control-valve wear that can lock the wheels.

Why does my 10-speed shift harshly?

GM bulletin 22-NA-182 lists harsh shifting, shudder and overheating on 10-speed vehicles and tells technicians to check for a twisted cooler line, the thermal bypass valve and correct fluid level first. Recall software can also hold a worn transmission in fifth gear.

Sources

Ratings are GM-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. What Are The Differences Between The Ford And GM 10-Speed Automatic Transmissions? — Jalopnik
  2. Service Bulletin 22-NA-182: Information on 6L80, 6L90, 8L90, 10L80, 10L90, 10L1000 Vehicles With Harsh Shift, Shudder, Surge, Stall, Overheating (March 2024) — General Motors (via NHTSA)
  3. GM recalls diesel trucks and SUVs over 10-speed transmission rear-wheel lock-up — TFLtruck
  4. Recall 24V797: 10-speed transmission control valve failure, rear-wheel lock-up (diesel trucks and SUVs) — NHTSA
  5. Recall 26V085: 2022 full-size SUVs with 10-speed and ETRS, control valve failure — NHTSA
  6. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 25V-148: 10-speed transmission (Camaro, CT4, CT5, CT6) — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by General Motors. Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Corvette, Duramax, Vortec and the model names are trademarks of their owner.