2020 GMC Sierra 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 7, 2026NCBrakesEngine

   Lifter failed due to AFM system. Cyl 8 misfire due to oil fouling. The onboard computer got confused and would not release the parking brake until repeated attemtps to release it. 5.3L V8 2020 model year 115250 miles. Isn't this the same problem as the 2021 and newer engines? 8spd transmission. AFM failure. $9k repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11762548 · source
2. Filed Jul 17, 202645,000 miORTowedBrakesEngine

   The contact’s mother-in-law owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was starting the vehicle, the brake, service engine, and engine warning lights illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING) and PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine…

   NHTSA complaint #11751171 · source
3. Filed Apr 29, 202680,000 miMIBrakesEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the vehicle previously experienced brake failure, sensor failure, and glow plug failure.…

   NHTSA complaint #11734531 · source
4. Filed Feb 20, 2026NVBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   The brakes suddenly activate and cause the vehicle to rapidly stop with no warning of any kind and without any braking action being taken by the driver. Then, the brakes do not release and the vehicle cannot be moved as the brakes remain on. Turning the engine off and then restarting it or shifting to other gears does not release the brakes. The vehicle remains immobile and cannot be driven. After a few hours have passed, like overnight, the brakes release and the vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11719518 · source
5. Filed Nov 25, 2025107,787 miLABrakesEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the check engine warning light and the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that all the engine lifters and the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action…

   NHTSA complaint #11701487 · source
6. Filed Nov 15, 2025TXBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   First my torque converter went out, no warning lights only shaking wehn shifting, I got it replaced already it cost me $2400 Second Warning light service for Brakes, Traction and power steering come on and off. And sometimes truck doesn't brake well and steering wheel feels hard to drive, it has happened while on expressway with family. Third Engine oil low Add oil warning sign comes up alot and I have to add oil, engine has a rough idle now, also when I turn truck on smoke…

   NHTSA complaint #11699612 · source
7. Filed Oct 1, 2025CABrakes

   On Monday, [XXX], at about 1730 hours was traveling Southbound at 45mph on [XXX] approaching the [XXX] intersection. Vehicle alerted to the following codes on the dash; ESCAPE, Traction Control, Check Engine Light, Brake System Failure, "Do not exceed 62 MPH". I took foot off accelerator and looked up and noticed the traffic light turning red. I applied pressure to the brake and noticed there was no brake pressure at all, and the vehicle continued to roll forward towards the…

   NHTSA complaint #11690818 · source
8. Filed Oct 1, 202593,000 miPABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH and hauling a trailer in stop-and-go traffic, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle started losing power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The parking brake was engaging and disengaging independently. After turning off the…

   NHTSA complaint #11690794 · source
9. Filed Sep 5, 202565,000 miNYBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was started, the check engine, brake system, and another unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the messages brake system failure, steering wheel failure, low oil, and two other unknown messages were displayed. The contact also stated that the rear-view camera remained displayed while shifted into drive, and the instrument panel failed to operate as intended. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11685227 · source
10. Filed Aug 25, 2025CABrakesElectrical SystemSteering

    Was driving down the freeway around 65 miles an hour attempted to pass a truck when the steering started wobbling the ABS that EMS and the breaking system came on with the check engine light almost had no control and barely avoided having an accident the only way it went back to normal was slowing down.

    NHTSA complaint #11682879 · source
11. Filed Aug 20, 2025FLBrakes

    My vehicle displayed numerous brake failure codes and limited my speed to 43mph. When taken into my local GMC dealer the diagnostics I was given were a bad/leaking master cylinder. This vehicle has 16,200 miles on it and was never used for towing or hauling. The brakes are hard and brake assist has clearly failed. I’ve found numerous recalls and issues with other year vehicles from GMC, yet they are denying any liability on my vehicle. They want over $3000 to replace the…

    NHTSA complaint #11681985 · source
12. Filed Jun 28, 2025MIBrakes

    I will start by saying that I have had this issue since I had the truck (2020), less than 10k miles. I mentioned to the dealer multiple times. I was told that they can't figure it out since it has to be doing it while it is at the dealership to figure it out. I am finally fed up with that answer. The issue is with trailering. It will randomly lose trailer brakes while driving down the road. Sometimes the brakes will come back right away, sometimes they will not. Other times…

    NHTSA complaint #11669873 · 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