Fifth generation (GMT T1XX)
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
The most reported problem on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is engine failure, with 103 complaints, usually around 68,000 miles.
- 468owner complaints
- 12recalls
- 12involved a crash
- 58,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Sierra 1500 doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 has 468 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 2.5 times the median of 188 for 2020 pickups on this site. Of the 13 Sierra 1500 model years since 2014, it has the 7th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- At 67 complaints for each year on the road, the 2020 runs below both the 2019 (81) and the 2021 (96).
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Engine failure has 103 complaints and misfire has 84, out of 468 in all. A quarter of the 50 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 49,000 miles, and half by about 68,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 16 of the 468 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 12 reports mention a crash, 5 mention a fire and 13 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 12, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as engine failure, misfire and stalling. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2025, with 188 complaints, 4.7 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 120 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 103 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
468 complaints is 2.1 times the median 2020 model on this site and 2.5 times the median 2020 pickup. Among the 13 Sierra 1500 model years here it ranks 7th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
GMC filed 1,537 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. 77 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 2 bulletins · 103 complaints
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
Check engine light or misfire 24 bulletins · 84 complaints
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Evaporative DTCs P0442, P0446, P0455 or P0449, Caused by Dust Intrusion into the Evaporative Canister.
This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of DTC P30BF failing on low mile vehicles due to the possibility of the cylinder 1/2 sliding barrel binding on intake camshaft.
22 more on this problem
This bulletin advises the technician of a possible kinked coolant hose that might be causing the customers concern of a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P026A Set.
Special Coverage. Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the engineâs cylinder 2 glow plug to fail. If this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) will illuminate, and a diagnostic trouble code will set.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or P0455 Set.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated with DTC P06DD, P2B60, P26BB, P1098 Set.
This technical bulletin advises to replace the camshaft cover if found within the Julian date and the cause of a customer concern of possible oil consumption with or without DTC P06DD.
Special Coverage - certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail. If this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine Light) will illuminate and a diagnostic trouble code will set.
This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of dtc p06DD due to low or no oil pressure immediately following engine oil and filter change due to oil filter and main oil gallery being drained or empty.
This service bulletin informs the technician to inspect for a possible electrical concern at the ECM X2 electrical connector to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated - DTC P0333 Set.
Information bulletin explains a possible coolant leak coming from the cylinder head bolt areas.
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regards to Service Engine Soon Lamp Illuminated on Driver Information Center (DIC), Transmission Not Shifting ...
Plus 12 older ones not listed here.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 9 bulletins · 68 complaints
This engineering information (EI) closure ends the need for gathering further information from technicians in regard to the vehicle having loss of power and/or having the MIL illuminated on DIC.
This engineering information (EI) is requesting information from technicians to perform the check list provided and contact the engineer listed in regard to the vehicle having loss of power and/or having the MIL illuminated on the Driver Information Center ...
7 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides service information for customer concerns of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated that may be caused by gelling of fuel in cold temperatures.
This Preliminary information communicates some diagnostic tips to inspect for no/low voltage at the ECM for a customers complaints of a SES MIL, Crank No Start, stalling DTC's: P16A7 and/or P16AF.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of seeing the trailer running lights shut off due to excessive load on the running lamp circuit.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Information on Vehicles Engine Shuts Off After 30 or 60 Minutes of Idling.
This service bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
This Preliminary information communicates A vehicle may have a concern of running poor and stalling. No trouble codes may be set referencing this condition. Fuel trims around -20% may be observed on both banks.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with a SES MIL and the Brake System Control Module setting false DTC's during shut down. GM Engineering released updated cals for the BSCM to repair the issue.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 8 bulletins · 53 complaints
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.
6 more on this problem
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.
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that after performing a brake inspection, brake pad replacement, or any other repair that requires the caliper piston to be reseated may be causing DTC C05B0 to falsely set for eBoost ...
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Loss of Brake Assist, Various Messages Displayed in Driver Information Center (DIC), Brake Pedal Travel and Apply May Feel Different, One or More of the Following DTCs May be ...
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Loss of Brake Assist, Various Messages Displayed in DIC, Brake Pedal Travel and Apply May Feel Different, DTC C0024 Set.
Engine knocking or ticking 1 bulletin · 31 complaints
Service Update. Certain vehicles may present a broken engine valve spring. This may cause the engine to run rough, an engine knocking or ticking noise, a check engine light illumination, or a possible vehicle stall.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 4 bulletins · 25 complaints
This service bulletin advises the technician of a possible loose ground that may be causing customer concerns of Loss of Steering Assist and/or Loss of Brake Assist and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated.
This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip to inspect the main ground connection when diagnosing any lack of power steering assist issues with DTCs C1597 and/or C1599.
2 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with additional information on the functionality of Lane Keep Assist.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have Lane Keep Assist inoperative with the lane keep assist switch LED is always on and the lane keep assist Icon is not illuminated on the IPC after a ...
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 9 bulletins · 25 complaints
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve.
This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases - Service 4WD on DIC, Intermittent Failures, Noise Concerns, Driveline/Steering Vibration/Shudder, Intermittent DTCs/MIL Illuminated, Engagement/Disengagement/Ratcheting ...
7 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This informational bulletin provides graphs to help identify possible issues that may cause shaking and shudders and what may be the cause of said issue.
This Technical bulletin provides a repair to correct a condition of Shudder/Surging While Driving.
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Delayed and/or Harsh Engagement of Transmission Shift After Vehicle Sitting with Engine Off.
This Preliminary information communicates diagnostics to the dealer involving a vehicle shudder concern caused by the camshaft actuator system that can be mistaken for a transmission issue.
This technical bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Delayed and/or Harsh Engagement of Transmission Shift After Vehicle Sitting with Engine Off.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 20 bulletins · 23 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician how to repair vehicles that Instrument Panel Cluster, Radio, and Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning display blanks out, Bluetooth phone or Pandora connection dropped, the radio ...
This Preliminary information communicates a Radio software update resolution for OnStar LED Red And Wifi Hotspot Inoperative After Remote Vehicle Start concern.
18 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of U170 Radio Software Update.
This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct customer concerns of Service Emissions System Displayed on DIC, MIL Illuminated with DTC P249C and/or P20E8 Set.
This service bulletin provides radio software version 135120 (IOR) update procedures to correct customer concerns of software related issues.
This service bulletin provides repair information on Radio Software Version U168 Update to correct customer concerns of radio software issues.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Blue or Black Screen and Service Rear Vision System Message on Radio Display Shifting into Reverse.
This Preliminary information communicates to dealer of a possible concern with a display and the actions needed to correct the concern.
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Radio System Settings Lost or Returning to Default Values.
This service bulletin provides U157 software update information to correct customer concerns of radio Software related issues.
This Preliminary information communicates information to not make any repairs for momentary camera flicker when brake light, turn signal, or hazards are active with radio RPO IOR. GM engineering is working on a resolution for this concern.
This service bulletin provides information to aid a dealer/customer concern of Radio Unwanted Phantom Touch or Non-Responsive to Touch After Cleaning/Disinfecting Radio Display.
Plus 8 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
188 complaints came in 2025, 4.7 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
NHTSA summary
Air bag malfunction. Closed aug 24, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
All 12 recalls on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
Engine failure, with 103 of the 468 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 68,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems start?
Of the 195 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 19,000 miles and half by about 58,000.
Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than both the 2019 and the 2021: 67 a year against 81 and 96.
How many 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
16 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
No recall on file for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is on the same system as engine failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.