2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 113owner reports
- 15,000median miles
- $1,800median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
113 of the 732 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Silverado 1500.
Narrower sheets: Brake warning light stays on (26 reports)
Tick what matches of 113 reports
Brake wear on other Silverado 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (25 reports), the pads and rotors (12 reports), the master cylinder (8 reports) and the caliper (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Silverado 1500
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed apr 8, 2015.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed jan 5, 2011.
Unwanted low-speed abs activation. Closed sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V-379.
Hydraulic pump failres. Closed feb 28, 2005, led to recall 05V-005.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
What owners paid
6 of the 113 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $362 to $3,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,038 and 46,000 miles, from the 57 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with premature brake pad life and engineering is working on release new pad lining material.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
4 more on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Rear brake inner pads completely worn while outer pads look brand new at 35,000 miles. This appears to be due to the electronic parking brake not releasing quick enough but this condition almost disables the rear brakes and could cause an accident.”
Filed Aug 2, 2025 · 35,000 miles
“Brake calipers on 3 of 4 wheels are trying to lock up. Only 54000 miles on the truck this should not be an issue. Could KILL someone”
Filed Oct 16, 2023 · 54,000 miles
“I was driving and a few different warning appeared. Service Parking Brake, Service Trailer Brake System, Steering Assist is reduced Drive with care. Along with these warning my speed was limited to 62 mph, my steering was reduced and my braking was reduced, all 3 of them to dangerous levels.”
Filed Jul 2, 2022
“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.”
Filed Jun 14, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 113 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 107 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 92 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 85 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 80 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 52 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 39 reports