Diagsheet

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

  • 111owner reports
  • 15,000median miles
  • $1,800median quote
  • 3involved a crash

Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

111 of the 722 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Silverado 1500.

Tick what matches of 111 reports

6
5
17
12
72
7

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (23 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.

20V-116Feb 27, 2020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper

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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Silverado 1500

PE18-012opened Nov 20, 2018
Brakes · model years 2014 to 2016

Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.

NHTSA summary
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified NHTSA that it w
EA11-001opened Jan 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2003

Brake line corrosion failure. Closed apr 8, 2015.

NHTSA summary
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes f

None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 111 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $3,700.

$500$1,800$3,700
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 3,038 and 46,000 miles, from the 56 reports that gave a mileage.

119
2920
721
1222
1423
1424
1925
1526

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 111 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.

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