2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 474 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about engine. There are 12 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
474
Recalls
12
Crashes
12
Fires
5
Injuries
13
Median mileage
34,800 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 253 of 474 complaints (53%).
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (97) and electrical system (81) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 34,800 mi.
  • Owners reported 12 crashes, 5 fires and 13 injuries.
  • The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 has 12 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 4th of 22 GMC Sierra 1500 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 20% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (593).

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems by category

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine239
Power train96
Electrical system78
Service brakes49
Unknown or other44
Steering36
Fuel/propulsion system26
Suspension18

When problems happen (mileage)

44Under 10k1510k–30k1930k–60k2760k–100k17100k–150k3150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints that list mileage.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (12)

  • Recall 26V083000Feb 12, 20261,055 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY

    General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.

    Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

  • Recall 24V797000Oct 24, 2024463,295 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

    Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

  • Recall 21V985000Dec 16, 2021626 vehicles
    TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

    General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.

    Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.

  • Recall 21V115000Feb 25, 202133,838 vehicles
    TIRES

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

    Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

  • Recall 20V792000Dec 17, 2020624,216 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS · SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.

    Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

  • Recall 20V684000Nov 5, 20207,516 vehicles
    TIRES

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.

    Risk: Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.

  • Recall 20V650000Oct 22, 202042 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.

    Risk: If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202314870.

  • Recall 20V446000Jul 30, 2020769 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

    General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.

    Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.

  • 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.

  • Recall 19V888000Dec 12, 2019350,371 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.

    Risk: An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components. All services will be performed free of charge. GM issued owners an interim notification on February 4, 2020. GM issued second notice and the recall began March 9, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192273510.

  • Recall 19V837000Nov 21, 2019502 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

    Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.

  • Recall 19V814000Nov 14, 2019556,399 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.

    Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA25007Opened Oct 23, 2025Open

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated as part of a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25001).  GM determined that these engine failures were due to…

  • PE25001Opened Jan 16, 2025Closed Oct 23, 2025led to recall 25V274

    Loss of motive power due to engine failure

    On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing…

  • PE21010Opened Apr 9, 2021Closed Aug 24, 2023

    Air Bag Malfunction

    On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 2WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC 2WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC 2WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/RC 4WD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 8, 2026COEngine
    I have a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 with the L87 6.2L V8. The cam shaft and lifters have failed for a 2nd time. The first time happened in 2022. It was under warranty and happened at approximately 40,000 miles. This last time it happened in 2026 and was at 125,000 miles - both for the same thing - cam shaft and lifters. Both were sudden failures and luckily I was on a highway that wasn't buy at the time. This time it is costing me $10,000 to fix. They have had the truck for…
    NHTSA complaint #11769874 · source
  2. Filed Oct 7, 202651,000 miMDElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently and needed to be jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that there was corrosion on the ground wire which caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not included in Customer Satisfaction Program: N252515590 with NHTSA ID Number: 11027795 (Electrical System) for the ground wire replacement. The manufacturer…
    NHTSA complaint #11769576 · source
  3. Filed Oct 7, 2026NYEngine
    While driving down interstate noticed drop in oil pressure and immediately a noise in engine with loss of power. immediately took it to dealership and they diagnosed rod bearing failure. Gm refuses to pay for engine.
    NHTSA complaint #11769499 · source
  4. Filed Oct 5, 202629,000 miSCBody & Structure
    The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the tailgate opened unexpectedly after inclement weather or after the vehicle was washed. There was water and rust found inside the tailgate release button, and the message "Tailgate Open" was displayed. The contact associated the failure with Customer Satisfaction Program: N232426401. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11769058 · source
  5. Filed Oct 5, 2026NCEngine
    My 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT with the 6.2L L87 engine experienced complete engine failure at approximately 129,000 miles. The vehicle is currently at Trent Cadillac GMC in New Bern, NC and is available for inspection upon request. The dealer confirmed the engine requires replacement along with timing-chain-related repairs, estimated at approximately $11,000. Before the failure, I had previously reported concerns involving oil pressure/engine operation to a Chevrolet dealer.…
    NHTSA complaint #11768916 · source
  6. Filed Oct 2, 2026124,000 miNYEngine
    The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 74 MPH, the vehicle made a loud banging sound, reduced engine power, and was losing oil pressure. The dealer associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was contacted and the vehicle was diagnosed with rod bearing failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11768586 · source
  7. Filed Sep 30, 2026MAEngine
    The engine blew up driving down the road 5k miles past warranty. Complete junk and had to pay for a new one. They would only put in another defective 6.2 gmc engine and it will fail again
    NHTSA complaint #11768156 · source
  8. Filed Sep 28, 2026AKElectrical SystemEngine
    6 months after owning it the lifters went bad got them Fixed then they immediately went bad again also bent rods then a day after getting that fixed again the oil pump went bad it was issue after issue
    NHTSA complaint #11767573 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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