2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V116000Feb 27, 202020,352 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.

  Risk: Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 24, 2026TXBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlWheels & Tires

   1) The vehicle experienced a rear axle/rear-wheel lock-up after the recall-related repair was performed and the same diagnostic codes associated with the initial repair reportedly returned. 2)The rear axle/rear wheels locked while the vehicle was being driven on the highway, creating a significant loss-of-control and collision hazard. A sudden drivetrain/axle lock-up at highway speed causes the vehicle to stop or behave unpredictably, potentially resulting in a severe…

   NHTSA complaint #11766697 · source
2. Filed Sep 8, 2026TNBrakes

   While driving my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned without any prior warning. When I released the accelerator, the vehicle began slowing as though the brakes were being applied even though I was not pressing the brake pedal. When I attempted to brake normally, the vehicle did not stop as expected and braking ability was significantly reduced. The red BRAKE warning, ABS warning, traction/ESC warnings, and check engine light illuminated.…

   NHTSA complaint #11762914 · source
3. Filed Sep 3, 2026NCBrakes

   Complete brake system, master cylinder, pads, rotors. Only 75000+- miles. Morning start and the brakes are locked up. Had to get towed and the entire system needed to be replaced. So after several days and almost $5,000 I started driving home. After about 5 miles something fell off the front brakes and bounced along underneath but I was close to home so I continued and didn't need to apply the brakes until my driveway and then a terrible grinding sound. Called the dealer…

   NHTSA complaint #11762018 · source
4. Filed Sep 2, 2026ARBrakesElectrical System

   While stopped at a highway red light, the vehicle jolted forward and numerous dash lights came on, including messages saying “Brake System Failure, Service ESC, Service Trailer Brake, Service Parking Brake, Engine Power Reduced, Power Steering Reduced.” This is the first time any of these messages have ever appeared. This made the vehicle incredibly difficult to steer and the braking ability was almost non-existent. Had this happened one minute earlier or later, a…

   NHTSA complaint #11761729 · source
5. Filed Aug 26, 2026FLBrakesElectrical System

   I went to the store and my brakes were working as normal. When I started my truck to leave I had a hard pedal and there we several warnings on the dash. One said to get service and the other said to limit speed to 43 MPH. I had almost no braking power. Fortunately, I was close to home and the speed limit was 30 MPH all the way home. Once I arrived home I cleared the code with my ODBII scanner and the brakes worked as expected. If I was towing my boat this could have been a…

   NHTSA complaint #11759742 · source
6. Filed Jul 20, 2026MABrakesElectrical System

   The Electronic Parking Brake System on my 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 continuously malfunctions. Chevy/ GM Customer Support has been made aware of this issue and continues to disregard it entirely. The Electronic Parking Brake, which is an automatic function that cannot be turned off or bypassed, fails to fully disengage when the vehicle is taken out of Park. The Electronic Parking Brake remains very slightly engaged, producing a slight noise while driving and causing…

   NHTSA complaint #11751449 · source
7. Filed Jun 4, 202655,000 miFLTowedBrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of drive power with high RPM. The check engine, traction control, ABS, and parking brake warning lights were illuminated, and the message "Brake System Failure, 43 MPH Top Speed" was displayed. The contact disconnected the battery and was able to correct the failure. The failure later recurred with no warning light illuminated. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11742019 · source
8. Filed May 12, 2026114,264 miNMTowedBrakes

   The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, four different warning lights illuminated: ABS, Service Brake Assist, Service ESC, and two specific "Brake System Failure" messages limiting the top speed to 42 MPH and 62 MPH, suddenly the vehicle went into limp mode and had to be towed. The vehicle will be taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11737365 · source
9. Filed May 11, 2026CABrakes

   My son was driving his 2020 Silverado Trail Boss (50,000 miles) when suddenly the brakes were inoperative. He had to drive around several cars to avoid collision finally swerving into the parking lane and using the gearshift lever moving the transmission into park to stop forward movement. He had no warning lights or any indication the brakes were going to fail. The truck was towed to Harbor Chevrolet on Long Beach, Ca. They diagnosed the problem as a “software update” and…

   NHTSA complaint #11737195 · source
10. Filed Apr 8, 202679,000 miNCBrakes

    The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 10 MPH and depressing the brake while turning, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The vehicle was pulled into a parking lot and was able to come to a full stop. The contact's wife inspected the vehicle and used a handheld diagnostic machine to retrieve an undisclosed DTC; however, the codes were cleared. The…

    NHTSA complaint #11729965 · source
11. Filed Mar 26, 2026NCBrakes

    Started to work first thing in the morning, the truck felt sluggish-like a lack of power. I drove about a mile to turn around and head back home, something was obviously wrong. When I got out of the truck there was a smell like something was hot and the wheels were extremely hot. I realized the lack of power was due to the brakes being locked. The parking brake was not engaged. After calling the local dealer for an appointment, I had to get the truck towed. Now the 2nd day…

    NHTSA complaint #11727202 · source
12. Filed Mar 20, 2026ILBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

    Intermittent issue where info says brake failure/steering assist not working/limited speed to 43 mph. Very dangerous if you’re on the interstate. Becomes hard to steer, brakes don’t work, brakes start burning up. Have to carry tools with me to reset ecm. Very common problem with Silverado with 5.3 gas engine. Chevy needs to fix this issue before someone gets killed. I would give them my truck back if I could.

    NHTSA complaint #11725948 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology