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
731 reports, newest first.
Suspension, Mar 4, 2025
When the truck was less than 2years and less than 20,000 miles old it developed a clunking noise in the rear suspension. Sounds like 2 heavy pieces of metal softly being knocked together. The dealership inspected it and replaced both rear shocks. The noise was still there. The dealership replaced the left leaf spring assembly. This temporarily eliminated the noise. The noise came back at just under 3 years and 30,000 miles. The dealership inspected, but couldn't find the source of the problem. The noise has only worsened since then, and at a recent visit to the dealership, they could clearly hear the problem. I was told that it is the result of worn cushions between the leaf springs. I'm concerned that the truck may be unsafe. I've been contacted by GM, and at this time they are looking into how to fix it, and who should be responsible for the repair. I can't imagine that mine is the only 2020 Silverado with this problem, and think there must be other reports of a similar nature.
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 4, 2025
When I would put the truck in park and proceed to turn it off, the computer would tell me the truck was not in park. I was told at the dealership that the transmission was in park, though the computer wasn't communicating correctly. Not only does it pose a risk of draining the battery, it is a safety issue. If I were to park on a hill, the only confirmation that my truck is in park is what's said on my dash.
Power train, Feb 27, 2025
Transmission is giving the same issues as the reported diesel transmission problems in same year model. Safety has not yet been put at risk. Due to a 2 month wait time I have been unable to get it inspected by a dealer.
Power train, Engine, Feb 26, 2025
I purchased a 2020 Chevy Silverado 2.7 turbo RST from Greg young Chevy in Omaha Nebraska. Upon purchasing this vehicle within 20 days of ownership I got a check engine light indicating code P2090 for exhaust camshaft position sensor. The truck was taken back to the dealership and they at first tried to just clear the code and give the truck back however I put my foot down and requested them to look further into it. After weeks of them having the vehicle they determined there was an issue with the pcv oil separator and they replaced the part allegedly. After reviving the car back they strongly suggested I purchase an extended warranty telling me “you’re going to need it” we purchased the warranty only to discover the code reappearing less than 2,000 miles later and a tic sound in the engine. My independent research has concluded it’s a lifter failure and those lifters are now slamming into my camshaft causing excessive damage. After getting the code read more in depth I can confirm they again just cleared the code and an oil leak is still existent in the engine. This causes the auto stop to disengage which makes the vehicle leech forward when at rest while my foot is still present on the brake as the camshaft does a full rotation to adjust and correct itself to the sensors suggested position. On average this moves the vehicle approximately 1 foot forward and could lead to me damaging my vehicle or causing harm to people in crosswalks.
Structure, Engine, Feb 26, 2025
Lifter failure in the motor ALso, leaking in back window
Structure, Feb 19, 2025
My 2020 Chevrolet Silverado rear window leaks causing mold on headliner and carpeting and if running electric defrost during rain it makes a sizzling noise afraid of electrical issues as well if not correct and the mold makes the interior environment unsafe for breathing
Engine, Feb 17, 2025
6.2L V8 had catastrophic failure due to lifters failing while driving at highway speeds.
Power train, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 16, 2025
The Transmission is skipping gearing. There has been a recall for 2020 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado, but my vehicle has not been call.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 13, 2025
My break system failed twice in 2 weeks. On Feb 01, 2025 around 5:35 pm, I almost ran over a dog the first time because I lost access to breaks and emergency breaks and could not stop going through my neighborhood. Today on Feb 13, 2025, I had picked my son up from school, and the breaks went out after we left the school. This time I almost ran into a car but had to turn off to the right to avoid hitting it. My son and I could have injured the person driving in front of us and ourselves. I looked up the problem, and it seems that many others have faced the same problem. When I turned off the truck for 10 minutes, the system would reset itself and start working normally again. I took the truck to the shop, and it is currently there so they can run tests on it. I recorded what it looks like on the dash when I lose all braking.
Engine, Feb 11, 2025
The engine is blown. Our GM Dealership where we purchased it, inspected it and says the engine cannot be repaired and must be replaced. And independent garage gave the same diagnosis. Went from running fine one day , to bucking and stalling in traffic causing a hazard to everyone on the road. Check engine light, check brakes, stabilitrak, ALL the lights on the dash were on like a Christmas tree. It doesn't run now. Currently sitting in our driveway now unable to be driven for three months as we don't have $10,000.00 for a new engine, and the extended warranty we purchased through the dealership expired 4 months before it blew up. We are now making loan payments on a GM vehicle that did not even last the length of the loan. Seeing a report on this exact issue, we did not even know until today that there was a place we could send in a complaint to. You are welcome to inspect the truck, but you would need to come to us, as it cannot be driven. Where can we get any help with this? Please help.
Power train, Feb 11, 2025
Hard shifting and shuddering
Engine, Feb 10, 2025
Vehicle started miss firing along the highway without any previous signs of problems. The vehicle was driven straight to our home and then to the dealership a few days later. We were told there, the lifters have failed. Once they started the repairs we were also adviced the cam have suffered significant damaged and needed replacement as well. The vehicle was only inspected at the dealership once it was dropped off. The first and only sympton of the insurance was the day it failed.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Feb 10, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact used a diagnostic tool to determine that the vapor canister purge pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Service brakes, Feb 10, 2025
After driving and doing errands I tried to pull truck into garage and noticed it was hard to move. It seemed like brakes were stuck on despite not applying brakes. I pulled out of driveway to drive around block. Lost all brakes while driving down county road at 50 mph. Check engine light on, brake failure warning on, warning light that speed limited to 43 mph, ABS light on. Eventually able to stop. Turned off engine for a few minutes. Restarted and brakes all worked again although check engine light still on. This could have been deadly on a steep road or on ice or in traffic. I see online that this is a common problem with Chevy trucks although no recall has been issued for this one. I am very concerned that this truck is not safe - for me or anyone else on the road with me. I have not taken it in. I live in the country, some distance from a dealership so nothing has been confirmed. Nothing like this has happened to this truck before and there was no other warning. It is available for inspection but is my only transportation.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 9, 2025
On January 17, 2025, I was approaching the entrance ramp unto Interstate 10, traveling along at approximately 40 miles an hour, when all of a sudden I noticed that my vehicle started decelerating as I was pressing on the accelerator, trying to merge onto oncoming traffic. The engine started shuttering and vibrating violently! I noticed all the warning lights, gauges and indicators had come on simultaneously! There was a loud clicking sound coming from the engine compartment and backfiring coming from the exhaust. I evaluate the situation at hand and conduct a risk assessment of trying to continue on with this problem but decided to move over to the median. I was almost run into from the rear due to lack of power in which I felt would have been the result of my truck just losing power without any warning. I drove my truck to a Chevrolet dealership after speaking with a Service Advisor, on January 20, 2025. The Truck was diagnosed as needing to replace Cam Rod and Lifters.
Engine, Feb 7, 2025
At roughly 146,590~ miles the truck began making a knocking noise while driving at any speed, complainant had the truck towed to independent shop and was evaluated. Was told by shop that the engine can shaft pitted and engine metal shards had exploded and shattered throughout the engine. Making the opportunity for engine stalling or risk of fire/ smoking while operating the vehicle extremely likely. Complainant was told there was no access to engine replacements or parts at this time and the wait time to receive one was 4-6 months. No warning lights ever went off. Engine was eventually replaced entirely when the part became available by an independent service dealer.
Engine, Feb 6, 2025
In November 2023 my check engine light suddenly started flashing, my service parking brake light came on, traction control light came on and service ESC message was on the DIC. Then my truck started running really rough. At the time I was going roughly 10 mph. I took it to the dealership and they found a lifter had failed. My truck was at the dealership for a month. Fast forward to now, February 2025 and today I got the exact same lights appear on my cluster and same message. I was driving approximately 50 mph and my truck felt like there was a lack of power and there was hesitation in the engine.
Engine, Feb 6, 2025
In November 2023 my check engine light suddenly started flashing, my service parking brake light came on, traction control light came on and service ESC message was on the DIC. Then my truck started running really rough. At the time I was going roughly 10 mph. I took it to the dealership and they found a lifter had failed. My truck was at the dealership for a month. Fast forward to now, February 2025 and today I got the exact same lights appear on my cluster and same message. I was driving approximately 50 mph and my truck felt like there was a lack of power and there was hesitation in the engine.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 6, 2025
Rear sliding window is leaking from unknown area.
Engine, Feb 5, 2025
Check engine light came on at 100,000 and was told I need new engine from John Miles Chevrolet
Power train, Feb 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 1, 2025
The engine blew a rod through the engine block and dealership replaced engine June 2023. January 2025 engine abruptly stopped while on the highway at 70 mph and now waiting on diagnostic test from dealership but after reading all the incidents regarding this engine I feel it’s another L87 engine failure from GM
Engine, Jan 28, 2025
significant loss of power due to engine failure related to DDI while driving.
Service brakes, Jan 28, 2025
This morning it was 16 degrees F I drove about 6 city miles at about 35 mph. I was 1.5 miles from home when leaving a stop light the truck bogged down and was only going up to about 25 mph with the tach at 2000 rpm. It seemed at first that I was driving with the parking brake on but most V8's have enough power to override the parking brake. This acted as if I was pressing hard on the foot brake while driving and giving it a lot of gas. I probably would have had to floor it to go any faster. But was afraid of damaging something. Put on the flashers and drove about 15 mph with the tach at 1500-2000rpm. The dash displayed "Brake system failure 62 mph top speed", "Service ESC", "Parking brake failure" and "Service trailer brake system", The brake pedal was changing its height by itself. Pulled to side of road and pumped the brakes several times, shifted the transmission through park, neutral, reverse and drive and it seemed to operate normally. Pulled onto road and it was bogging down the same. Pulled to side of road again. Then started driving again with flashers on and the tranny shifted as normal, but the brake pedal went to the floor. Pumped the brake pedal and it still went to the floor. Drove slowly while checking the brake occasionally but still went to the floor during the 5 blocks to my driveway. The brake had no effect. My driveway slopes slightly upward so I stopped safely. All four wheel centers and brake rotors were too hot to touch after slowly driving the 1.5 miles this occurred over. About 15 minutes later I turned on the key and the dash displayed "Brake system failure 43 mph top speed", "Service ESC", and "Service trailer brake system". Fortunately there were no vehicles close in front of me when this started and many were behind me when driving with my flashers on due to quite a bit of traffic. This could have been a disaster had it occurred somewhere else. The local Chevrolet dealer that services it has not seen it yet.
Power train, Jan 26, 2025
Transmission shudders and has a delay in shifting/starting movement of the vehicle. This problem was noticed at 98k miles about a thousand miles after I purchased the truck from a dealership. It has been inspected, and repairs scheduled, but the transmission is still on back order after 5 months of waiting. No part ETA is available from Chevrolet corporate. This issue is a safety concern due to the fact that the vehicle could hesitate to accelerate in the event of needing to take evasive maneuvers to avoid an accident/road hazard.