VehicleVerdict

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 carries two red flags at once: 1,008 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Loss of motive power due to engine failure). It is one of the Silverado 1500 years to avoid. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (250), transmission (211), and electrical system (115), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,008

NHTSA complaints

12

Recalls

3

Investigations · 1 open

20

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

18

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Silverado 1500 years?

See all Silverado 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine25025%
Transmission21121%
Electrical System11511%
Brakes10911%
Steering717%
Other717%
Fuel System343%
Speed Control252%
Body & Structure232%
Suspension202%
Tires & Wheels162%
Driver Assistance151%
Visibility & Wipers121%
Airbags111%
Lighting111%
Latches & Locks61%
Seat Belts50%
Seats20%
Trailer Hitch10%

Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?

12 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V083000TransmissionFebruary 12, 2026 · 1,055 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

24V797000TransmissionOctober 24, 2024 · 463,295 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V985000Tires & WheelsDecember 16, 2021 · 626 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V115000Tires & WheelsFebruary 25, 2021 · 33,838 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V792000Seat BeltsDecember 17, 2020 · 624,216 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V684000Tires & WheelsNovember 5, 2020 · 7,516 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V650000TransmissionOctober 22, 2020 · 42 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V446000AirbagsJuly 30, 2020 · 769 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V116000BrakesFebruary 27, 2020 · 20,352 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V888000Electrical SystemDecember 12, 2019 · 350,371 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V837000Fuel SystemNovember 21, 2019 · 502 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V814000Seat BeltsNovember 14, 2019 · 556,399 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA25007

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 multiple supplier manufacturing and quality issues. GM issued recall 25V-274 to address the supplier manufacturing and quality issues produced between March 1, 2021, and May 31, 2024. Based on the issuance of recall 25V-274, NHTSA has closed PE25001. ODI continues to receive a significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of 25V-274.  This presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.  ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis (EA) to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues of vehicles built outside the recall scope. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 21, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 21, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 4, 2024 · fire

ABS light came on during breaking to avoid an accident and did not break the vehicle at all. Now there is a alert on the Driver Information Center(DIC) stating a break system failure.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 19, 2022 · crash

Brake system light failure. Some system lights came on. I had no breaks car didn’t stop fast enough before hitting a pole

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 26, 2023 · crash

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — common questions

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,008 complaints put the 2020 model at #8 of 33 Silverado 1500 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Silverado 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Silverado 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (250 complaints), transmission (211 complaints), electrical system (115 complaints).

Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Loss of motive power due to engine failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2019, 2015, 2008, 2007, 2016, 2021, 2020, 2022, 2011, 2009, 2023, 2010, 2013, 2024, 2012. The cleanest record among Silverado 1500 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.