mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Chevy Silverado, Tahoe And Suburban Get Duramax Diesel DEF Sensor Fix

GM has reissued a service bulletin describing a fix for several possible problems found in several 2020 through 2024 Chevrolet models, including the Chevy Silverado pickup truck, Chevy Tahoe SUV and Chevy Suburban SUV that are caused by a malfunctioning Duramax DEF sensor.

All of the models involved are equipped with one of several Duramax diesel engines, with three different powerplants for the Chevy Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban affected.

The Duramax LZ0 turbodiesel engine as used in the Chevy Silverado 1500.

The DEF level sensor of the affected Chevy Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban vehicles with Duramax engines may read incorrectly, function erratically, or become stuck. The sensor measures the amount of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) in the DEF tank. In some cases, DEF sensor malfunctions can cause lowered torque in diesel engines, though GM does not specify whether this problem exists in this instance.

Other possible symptoms of the malfunctioning DEF level sensor include the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) remaining on, or the driver information center (DIC) displaying either the “Service Emission System” warning message, the “DEF Level Low” Warning message, or both. Several or all error conditions may occur simultaneously.

Front three quarters view of Chevy Tahoe and Suburban SUVs.

The fix involves reprogramming the K115 Reductant Control Module with the most recent, correct calibration. One gallon of diesel exhaust fluid may be needed for addition to the tank in some cases. The procedure requires hardwired connections because wireless updating can result in interruptions to the calibration and potentially damage the Reductant Control Module.

The following engines, models, and model years are involved in this service bulletin:

Duramax turbodiesel 3.0L I6 LM2 engine:

Duramax turbodiesel 3.0L I6 LZ0 engine:

Duramax turbodiesel 6.6L V8 L5P engine:

Side rear three quarters view of the 2024 Chevy Silverado HD.

Owners of affected Chevy Silverado, Tahoe or Suburban models with the Duramax diesel engine can contact Chevrolet customer service at the customer service line shown below, referencing the service bulletin’s identifying number as needed:

Contacts:

  • GM Service Bulletin number: #22-NA-150
  • Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Silverado news, Chevy Tahoe news, Chevy Suburban news, Chevy news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

[nggallery id=1135]
[nggallery id=1168]
[nggallery id=1242]
[nggallery id=1281]

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. does this apply to the GMC products also?

    Reply
    1. GMC equivalents, will be in tomorrow’s news. Gotta spread it out so gmauthority has something to publish daily.

      Reply
  2. GM ought to include the DEF sensor on the L5P 6.6L Duramax on the 2017-2019 truck too. The sensor in my 2019 GMC Denali hasn’t worked worth a dam since the truck was about 2 years old. My dealer has looked at it and claims it’s working as intended. Wrong. Customers shouldn’t have to live with that nonsense for the cost of these vehicles.

    Reply
    1. You don’t want to know how many f’n times I’ve dealt with these exact messages on my ’14 LML. On my 3rd DEF tank, 3rd indirect injector (inside the DPF), replaced about 5 NOX sensors, 2nd EGR valve… List goes on.

      Reply
  3. Every single one of my friends that has a GM diesel truck since 2012 has had sensor problems. They are often left without a truck for weeks at a time. There is no excuse for such a poor system. Just wait until they try to put similar controls on gas engines, stranding people and trying to force them to buy an EV.

    Reply
  4. I thought the 2011’s were the last trucks to have DEF problems. My 2015 LML did not have any DEF issues no matter what DEF fluid I used. However, I just purchased a 2024 3500HD and the dealer said I should only use GM DEF fluid saying it’s better refined. Now, after reading this article, I understand why he wants me to use GM DEF fluid. He said the DEF fluid from truck stops is no good. I found this strange.

    Reply
  5. So why are they wanting to replace my def tank? They said my truck has the latest calibration and so its not that… even thought the TSB is NOT VIN specific?

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel