2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 731 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 13 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareFeb 12, 2026
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.
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V083000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareOct 24, 2024
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.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V797000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireDec 16, 2021
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.
An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V985000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresFeb 25, 2021
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V115000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 17, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V792000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresNov 5, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V684000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftOct 22, 2020
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.
If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
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.
Campaign 20V650000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorJul 30, 2020
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.
If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V446000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, disc, caliperFeb 27, 2020
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.
Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V116000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesDec 12, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V888000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 21, 2019
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.
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
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.
Campaign 19V837000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerNov 14, 2019
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.
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
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.
Campaign 19V814000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
113 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Dec 18, 2024
My vehicle has an incomplete recall, I am not getting what I paid for, still under warranty, not living up to GM Chevrolet warranty. Doesn't feel safe to drive.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 14, 2024, fire
On September 21, 2024 my Chevy 1500 series truck in the year was 2020. It was made caught on fire white driving it. We were returning from a trip pulling a trailer from Kentucky to Mansfield Ohio when we were on the highway. The transmission light/panel came across and said transmission need to engine idle. I drove it about 3 miles and pulled off on an exit at a gas station and did what it said after proximately 10 minutes. The message went off and cleared. we resume going home on our trip and we are 14 miles on the highway then we got off on our exit there’s no lights or no problems with the vehicle. I dropped off the first passenger and Lexington, Ohio, and then the second passenger lived about a half mile away , this time kept unloading their equipment. From Lexington to my home in Mansfield, Ohio the other passenger I was talking about the light transmission was weird and might’ve been just a sensor. As we pulled onto Home road all the panel lights started flashing and then a message came across and said engine is shutting down. I put in park off the engine, we exit the vehicle and smoke was coming out from underneath the truck. I reached into the center council to grab the cell phones and had faster call 911 and when I reached back into the truck were coming out from underneath the hood. I notified General Motors on September 23 and have been battling them to get an inspection done. after several months, they have finally agreed with insurance company on terms to investigate what caused the fire. That inspection is to Take Pl., December 4, 2024. I have recently just seen the recall article on GMC that came out on November 13. My truck is listed in the article as far as your make and model. This was a transmission problem that GM is trying to ignore and should be held accountable. Have video of when it caught on fire and how quickly it burned up.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 2, 2024, fire
The truck caught on fire while I was returning from a trip out of state and then it appears it came from underneath either the transmission the engine or electrical. While returning home a message came on the panel on the highway, saying transmission, hot idle run I pulled off and did this and after about 15 minutes, the message light went off and I pursued Coming home nothing was wrong with the truck. After I dropped off to the passengers, I was on the way home and turned on home road and the message came on that says truck powering down all the lights came on the dashboard. I put the truck in park and shut the engine off had a manly open the doors and got out and smoke was rolling from underneath the truck. I grabbed the cell phones and told my passenger to call 911. I went back into the center of the cab to grab something out of the center council and flames came from underneath the hood up the glass of the windshield right in the middle of the truck. Backed away I called 911 again. Troy fire department responded in about six minutes. The truck was engulfed and gone. Ohio state patrol give me a claim number of [XXX] the instant [XXX]. There has been no problem with the truck or vehicle during the time I owned it. It was regularly service. It had 109667 miles on it. The truck was a 2020 Silverado from Bill Harris Ashland. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Aug 28, 2024
While driving 55+mph on a parkway the service parking brake, check engine light and the traction control light came on with a warning "Engine Power Reduced" which was dangerous because I could not accelerate and there was not a spot to pull over. This is frustrating due to the fact that I was having this same issue 6 months ago and Chevrolet said it was a wiring issue and it wasn't covered by the warranty because it had 42k miles. Chevrolet said it was a known issue but it was not at the level of a recall and it cost $1800 to fix.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2024, fire
Our 2020 Chevy 1500 Trail Boss was waiting for an ordered instrument cluster at service department. The surveillance camera, film the vehicle catch on fire after being parked for 2 days. The smoke started from the inside, and the vehicle engulfed in flames until the fire department came. After the fire was extinguished very little was left of the vehicle. Basically a frame and engine was the only thing left. The vehicle had a little over 70k miles.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 25, 2024
I took my truck in for an oil change on 5/25 and 12 miles after words, my truck was thrown into reduced engine power mode, which dropped my speed unexpectedly as I was driving. Luckily, I was in a residential area so that did not affect my safety, but there is potential that someone could have this code come up on the highway and have their vehicle unexpectedly throttled in regards to speed. The reduced engine power mode was the result of a code related to an electrical issue that ended up being the coolant control valve for the engine. I took it to a Chevrolet dealership that did the oil change, and they inspected it and determined that that part was faulty And would need to be repaired. The problem comes intermittently because The dealership drove my truck some and the issue would occasionally go away. As the part needed is on a seven month back order, the vehicle is available for inspection if needed.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 5, 2024
While driving brakes failed and codes came on saying brake system failure 43 mph, this problem apparently is a programming issue that will cost over 600 dollars because “reprogramming” isn’t covered. Brake pads were over 50% life and it is a very dangerous error.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, May 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the “ESC Unavailable”, 'ABS Failure', and “Do Not drive over 62 MPH”, “Please Drive with Care” messages were displayed. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake pedal remained on the floorboard. The contact stated that the braking distance was extended. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,699.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2024, fire
A/C blower motor over heated and caught the electrical wires on fire under the dash. I had just left my house for work about 1 mile from home and the dash started smoking then a fire started under the passenger side glovebox parked the car in the middle of the street and I was able to exit the vehicle and put the fire out with a half bottle of water I had in the car. I then called 911 and I believe it was EAST Pierce fire department. They shortly arrived and confirmed it was an electrical fire and that there was no more heat coming from it. The fire department then gave me A ride home. The vehicle has been towed to Sunset Chevrolet in Sumner Washington where the Vehicle was purchased New in 2020.
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2024
The trucks installed trailer wiring can cause a traffic accident. The wiring harness is known to have electrical issues but is not being corrected under warranty. It is difficult to know of these issues until you hook up a trailer or camper. The trailer's brake light and turn signal are affected by the faulty wiring. The dealer narrowed the problem to being between the plug and fuse. Other people have voiced their concerns with the trailer wiring.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 20, 2024
When you try and start the truck, the instrument panel lights up fully but when you push to start the instrument panel dims and acts like the battery is dead and won’t crank. The engine light is on. After a few presses, it finally cranks and starts fully. Has happened repeatedly and randomly.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 15, 2024
Brake system failure reported on screen. Extremely hard to stop vehicle.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the instrument cluster became inoperable and failed to provide correct information. The contact stated that the alternator cable was loose and intermittently failed to operate as designed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V888000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 24, 2023
Check engine light came on. Authorized Dealer Advisor stated "vehicle may shut-off or not start." Took to Authorized Dealer. Dealer found Evap System Error Code P0499. Dealer replaced Evap Valve Harness Connector. Approximately 48hrs Check Engine Light came on again. Will schedule service with Authorized Dealer.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 18, 2023
Loss of power steering, on 2 occasions. Started the vehicle and got a caution notice saying drive with care power steering disabled. Sure enough no power steering. Stopped vehicle waited, re-started vehicle, problem persisted. Made other transportation arrangement plans, restarted vehicle after a bit a problem seem to be gone. Stored codes we're 121, 131, and 140. BCM Communication loss, Power brake communication Loss and Steering Control communication failure.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 10, 2023
Already paid for transmission repair and now paying for engine wiring harness. Service update was sent out to dealer in May of 2020 to fix issues before selling vehicle. That was not done.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 30, 2023
Electrical acutated tailgate will not come down. The truck came with a soft bed cover that locks. If my child was to hide in the bed somehow it would pose an immediate risk to life and health as the tailgate will not come down and does not have any type of manual override. The interior controls do not work to lower the tailgate, the key fob controls do not work to lower the tailgate.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 30, 2023
2020 Silverado 1500 LTZ, Turn signals on mirror do not work
Electrical system, May 30, 2023
dash gauge cluster - ALL gauges drop to "zero" while driving speed, oil pressure, engine temp, fuel, etc., a/c compressor stops working but blower still works
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 18, 2023
VEHICLE WILL SEND MESSAGE TO MESSAGE CENTER TO SHIFT VEHICLE IN TO PARK WHEN IT IS ALREADY IN PARK. HAVE TO TRICK VEHICLE SYSTEM TO MAKE IT BELEIVE IT IS IN PARK TO TOTALLY SHUT DOWN VEHICLE
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2023
Vehicle is at 67,xxx miles. Vehicle is losing power, check engine light, service 4wd, service esc, service power steering, service parking brake..... the gas pedal has locked on me already with my 3 small children in the truck at highway speeds. GM says it's fine. I have all the work orders where 2 different dealerships have "corrected" these issues under warranty. Go retrieve the vehicle and within a week Vehicle is back acting up. This truck is unsafe to drive on the roadway. I have not been offered a courtesy vehicle to drive while "warranty" work is being done. I am appalled and in fear for my children and my own life with this truck.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 31, 2023
Power Train Transmission Torque Converter “Chevy Shake” Multiple symptoms. - Shuttering , “ buffeting” , slipping sensation. Continuous almost like “strong wind gust” or “head wind” - Humming, if you have ever heard a “high pressure” hydraulic equipment. - RPM bounces 300 to 500, but transmission does not “down shift” (while driving) - Vibration, of the truck can be noticed, felt at various speeds, 40mph to 60mph(shutter) almost like it struggling to get up to speed (unless heavy on the gas pedal) 70mph and above to say 80mph, then shaking, vibrations worse when coasting back to 70 mph Vibration will “not stop” until truck speed is drastically slowed or come to a stop. - Steering wheel “shakes” , “vibrates” also can happen at 60mph to 70mph and above to say 80mph, then worse when coasting back to 70 mph - “Clunk” when stopped and shifting into “reverse” (new development symptom) Vehicle is in for inspection. It keeps reading service break system. Service ESC
Steering, Electrical system, Mar 28, 2023
Power steering failure upon starting truck. Wheel did not turn. Dash message said Esc and power steering malfunction . Restart car multiple times with same issue. Wait a few hours and start car - no warnings or power steering issues. Went to Chevrolet dealership and was told no codes had been triggered and to bring back when issue arises again.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 21, 2022
I keep getting battery saver activated. I go to start my truck and it will not start. On dash says battery saver activated. I have had in the dealer 4 times and it keep happening. I also have had the power steering go out while driving. This has only happened once and after a couple hours it started working again but seems very dangerous.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 24, 2022
Vehicle exhibited sudden loss of power at highway speed while in West Texas. Without warning, the vehicle displayed an "engine power reduced" message and the vehicle immediately slowed from highway speed to a maximum speed of 25mph. This sudden reduction in power required the drive to take emergency action to leave lanes of travel for the shoulder. On a road with insufficient shoulder-area, this could have resulted in a collision. Prior to the loss of power, a check engine light illuminated followed by a "Service Emissions System Soon" warning on the driver information display. The elapsed time between the messages and the loss of power was less than 5 minutes. The vehicle did not exhibit any erratic behavior at the time of the warning lights or prior to the loss of power. The vehicle is currently at Bill Estes Ford in Indianapolis, IN. Diagnosis is underway. Indications are that this is related to issues with the emissions control system. The vehicle was up to date on all service at the time of the incident.