P0741 on Chevrolet: How to Diagnose & Fix

Both the 8-speed and 10-speed automatic transmissions can develop a shudder during light acceleration. This torque converter clutch issue is widespread across GM trucks. Multiple TSBs have been issued addressing this concern.

Silverados equipped with the GM 8L90 (and the lighter 8L45) eight-speed automatic suffer a widespread torque-converter-clutch (TCC) shudder, often described as driving over a rumble strip during light cruising, plus harsh/clunky 1-2 and 2-1 shifts and slipping. GM traced it largely to the torque converter and to the original transmission fluid degrading and creating friction, which can shed metal debris into the unit. The defect is documented in GM TSBs 18-NA-355 and 19-NA-219 and was the basis of a consolidated class-action lawsuit alleging the 8L90/8L45 are defective. Early-build 2015-2017 trucks are worst affected; later 2018-2019 units shudder less but are not immune.

The 8L45 8-speed automatic transmission can develop a shudder during light acceleration, typically between 25-50 mph. This is caused by torque converter clutch issues, similar to problems in other GM vehicles with this transmission family.

The 8L90 and 8L45 8-speed automatic transmissions experience torque converter clutch shudder, causing vibration and shaking during gear changes. The issue is caused by the lock-up clutch slipping and chattering. This defect has been the subject of class action lawsuits against GM.

Vehicles equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission may experience momentary wheel lock-up when shifting from 8th to 5th gear. A transmission control valve is susceptible to premature wear, leading to pressure loss and potential wheel lock-up.

Transmission shuddering is common in Equinox models, typically caused by torque converter clutch issues or depleted transmission fluid additives. The shudder is most noticeable during light acceleration between 25-50 mph as the transmission shifts through 3rd-5th gears.

P0700 is not a standalone defect — it is the transmission control module's way of telling the engine computer to turn on the check-engine light because a more specific transmission code is stored. On the second-generation Equinox, which uses GM's 6T40/6T45 six-speed automatic behind the 2.4L four-cylinder (and the 6T70 behind the V6), P0700 most often appears alongside P0741, Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) solenoid stuck-off. The TCC solenoid is a well-documented weak point across the 6T40/6T45/6T70 family: aged, unchanged transmission fluid lets debris cause the solenoid to stick, so the converter clutch won't lock up properly. P0700 can also accompany shift-solenoid performance codes. Because P0700 itself is generic, the actual fault must be read from the TCM's companion code — treating P0700 in isolation leads to misdiagnosis.

Allison 1000 automatic develops torque converter shudder during light throttle lockup. More common when towing or after transmission fluid degrades.

The 2015-2020 Tahoe uses the GM 8L90 8-speed automatic with the same widespread torque converter shudder affecting Silverado and Escalade. Shudder occurs at light throttle between 25-50 mph. Root cause is torque converter clutch material contaminating the fluid. GM extended warranty to 6 years/100,000 miles under Customer Satisfaction Program 18302.

Express 2500 and 3500 vans built through roughly 2009 use the 4L80E. It is a genuinely strong unit, but the torque converter lockup clutch is its recognized failure point on high-mileage commercial vans. As the TCC lining wears, the transmission raises line pressure to compensate, so the first thing an owner notices is not slipping but hard, banging shifts - a symptom that gets misread as a valve body or solenoid problem. Shudder at lockup speeds, a bucking sensation around 45-55 mph and eventually a stall-on-stop follow. Related, heat and vibration kill the 2-3 shift solenoid, and GM bulletins for these vans document harsh shifts, a delayed 2-3 shift and slipping in third with solenoid replacement as the remedy. A separate quirk owners report on Express vans specifically is transmission fluid pushing out of the vent tube when the unit gets hot and the fluid expands, which then reads as a leak. Realistic service life is 120,000-180,000 miles; converters on 200,000-plus mile vans should be assumed suspect.

When the Express moved to the 6L80 and 6L90 six-speed for the 2010 and later vans, it inherited that family's torque converter clutch problem. The TCC lining delaminates, and the shed material scores the fluid pump - so what starts as a light shudder felt at steady cruise, often described as a chuggle or 'fish bite' between roughly 35 and 60 mph, progresses into a pump and converter failure that takes the whole transmission with it. GM's own path on the complaint is graduated: TCM reprogramming for the chuggle concern, then a fluid exchange to the specified low-viscosity synthetic ATF, and finally converter replacement when the clutch is too far gone. That progression is exactly why the shudder must not be ignored - the flush only works if the wear is caught early. Documented as a 2010 and newer issue only; do not attribute it to the 4L60E/4L80E vans.

The second-generation Traverse (2018+) uses the GM 9T65 9-speed automatic transmission that suffers from a shudder during light acceleration in the 25-50 mph range. The torque converter clutch chatters during lockup, producing a vibration that feels like driving on a rumble strip. The 9-speed also exhibits harsh downshifts, hunting between gears on hills, and delayed engagement from Park. GM has released multiple TCM software updates to address the shifting behavior, but the underlying torque converter weakness remains.

Some 2018 Traverse models with the 3.6L LFY V6 and GM's 9T65 9-speed automatic can exhibit a slight shudder felt during gear shifts at speeds below about 40 mph with light throttle. GM bulletin 18-NA-091 attributes it to possible torque converter clutch (TCC) shudder on re-apply after a shift.

The first-generation Cruze with the 6T40 automatic transmission develops a shudder during torque converter lockup in the 25-45 mph range. The torque converter clutch friction material wears and generates debris that contaminates the fluid, worsening the shudder over time in a vicious cycle. The shudder feels like driving over a textured road surface and is most noticeable during gentle acceleration. The 6T40 in the Cruze sees more stress than in larger vehicles because the 1.4T engine produces torque at low RPM, keeping the converter locked more often.

The C7 Corvette with the 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic can develop an annoying driveline vibration/shudder at low speeds, particularly during gentle acceleration from a stop. The 7-speed manual uses a dual-mass flywheel that can develop chatter. The 8-speed automatic (8L90) shares the torque converter shudder issue with GM trucks. The transaxle-mounted differential and half-shafts can also contribute to vibrations.

Same 8L90 torque converter shudder as Tahoe/Silverado/Escalade. Light throttle shudder between 25-50 mph. GM Customer Satisfaction Program 18302 extends coverage to 6yr/100k.

The 4T65-E automatic transmission used in the 2000-2013 Impala is one of the most failure-prone GM transmissions. Common failures include the 1-2 accumulator piston cracking (causing harsh 1-2 shift), pressure control solenoid failure (erratic shifts and slipping), and the forward clutch hub cracking (complete loss of forward gears). The 3.8L supercharged models are especially hard on the 4T65-E due to higher torque output. Many 4T65-E transmissions fail between 80,000-120,000 miles.

Silverados with the Hydra-Matic 8L90 (and 8L45) 8-speed automatic are widely reported to hesitate, then shudder, jerk, clunk or 'hard shift' when changing gears — some owners describe a shift so violent it feels like being rear-ended, plus a torque-converter-clutch shudder that feels like driving over rumble strips. The root cause is internal friction/hydraulic issues and torque-converter-clutch micro-slip, often worsened by the original transmission fluid breaking down, sending metal shavings through the unit. GM issued 13+ TSBs and a fluid change (to Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP / DEXRON-ULV) as the primary remedy, and the defect is the subject of a certified class action covering 2015-2019 Silverado and other GM models. Very high search and complaint volume.

The 2013-2016 Malibu with the 2.5L Ecotec engine uses the GM 6T40 6-speed automatic transmission that develops a pronounced shudder during light acceleration in the 25-45 mph range. The torque converter clutch wears prematurely, causing slippage and vibration that feels like driving on rumble strips. Harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are also common. The 6T40 is sensitive to fluid condition and the issue worsens rapidly if the fluid is not changed on schedule.

The 2016+ Malibu with the 1.5T engine uses a GM/Ford co-developed 9-speed automatic (9T50) that can exhibit shudder, harsh shifts, and delayed engagement. The 9-speed is sensitive to fluid condition and requires proper DEXRON HP fluid. GM has released multiple TCM calibration updates. The 2.0T Malibu uses a different 9-speed (9T65) with similar but less frequent issues.

Avalanches equipped with the 4L60E automatic commonly lose 3rd and 4th gear due to 3-4 clutch pack burnout, a known factory weak point. The long fluid circuit feeding the 3-4 clutch leaks at the input housing (steel shaft galls the aluminum bore) and at the 2-4 servo, so the clutches slip, overheat, and burn. Symptoms are smooth 1-2 shifts but a flare/neutral feeling into 3rd, often with delayed engagement.

The 4T60E transmission in the Lumina develops shifting problems, particularly the second clutch reaction plates that were improperly stamped in some production runs. The transmission can lose 1st or 4th gear, develop harsh shifts, or strip planetary gears causing complete loss of drive. GM issued a campaign for certain 1995 models with defective clutch plates.