2020 GMC Sierra 1500 driver assistance & safety tech problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 24, 2026GACrashDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   Piston 5 dropped compression to 120 the rest were 190-200. The engine failed therefore none of my parking assist sensors were working and I backed into a car because the truck was misfiring.

   NHTSA complaint #11759264 · source
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. Filed Jul 19, 2025MADriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   My GMC had a terminal engine failure around 5/3/25. This disengaged the ESC, parking brake, and driver assist abilities as well as making the truck undrivable. GMC service diagnosed the truck needed an entire new engine. The repair took over 2 months to complete and now that I have the truck back, the adaptive cruise control is not working.

   NHTSA complaint #11674781 · source
6. Filed Jul 12, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   1. Lane Keeping Assistantance: The green vehicle indicator on the dashboard will disappear and stay off while driving. When it is off, it is unsafe. 2. Parking Collision Warning: The front and back sensors will disappear and become nonfunctional while driving and parking. Sometimes they activate for no reason as well. 3. Both exterior mirrors: After starting the engine to drive off , both exterior mirrors will lower automatically from my setting. After the truck is started…

   NHTSA complaint #11673021 · source
7. Filed Apr 23, 2025125,000 miNJTowedDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly respond. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the message ESC was displayed. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and a message to check the trailer brakes was also displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the brake pedal was depressed several times however, the brakes failed to respond, and the vehicle was difficult to…

   NHTSA complaint #11656277 · source
8. Filed Apr 1, 2025TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   recently when starting truck brake message alert comes across on dash reading brake error, and not to drive above 45 miles per hour and brakes are NOT totally operational, meaning brake pedal has alot of play in it to bring truck to a stop. Have to turn off vehicle , sometimes repeatedly before it apparently resets computer system. This has now occurred four times in last five months. Events and dash warning message very similar to recall issued 3/3/20, but listed as…

   NHTSA complaint #11652117 · source
9. Filed Feb 12, 202587,000 miORDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the check engine and the traction control warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would receive a callback. The approximate failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11642238 · source
10. Filed Feb 3, 2025TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine

    I have had no issues with my vehicle since I purchased it in July 2022 and keep up with the routine maintenance on it. About 2.5 weeks ago I was driving to work like I normally do and the truck started making a knocking noise and all these sensors lights came on the dash. The alerts were saying to service the parking brake, service ESC, and that steering assist is reduced and to drive with care. The vehicle also started shaking and would not accelerate properly or shift…

    NHTSA complaint #11640437 · source
11. Filed Jan 22, 2025MIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

    Driving down highway at 60 mph and truck shut off. had to try to get it over to the shoulder to off the travel lane. Dealer found wire harness chaffed at front left shock tower ECM bracket. Several wires damaged, repaired and cleared codes. This could have been much worse had I been in heavy traffic and needed to cross additional lanes of traffic to park in a safe area. I had no power steering and limited space to park the truck. I called to police to have a car dispatched…

    NHTSA complaint #11637570 · source
12. Filed Jan 21, 2025GADriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RE ODI 116346689: Tried to report to GM using [phone removed] provided by you. Agent would not accept ANY information that I tried to provide, including year/make /model and would not confirm or deny that the issue was known by them. Agent said that the dealer would report their inability to fix the issue directly to GM, and that I could not. I have no way of knowing if the dealer made this report to GM. Calling this number was an infuriating, complete…

    NHTSA complaint #11637297 · 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