2020 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 53owner reports
- 16,200median miles
- $2,400median quote
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
53 of the 468 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 53 reports
Brake wear on other Sierra 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: 2021, 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 (12 reports), the pads and rotors (3 reports), the master cylinder (3 reports) and the caliper (3 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.
All 12 recalls on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Sierra 1500
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
What owners paid
5 of the 53 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $3,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 7,020 and 69,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Was driving down the freeway around 65 miles an hour attempted to pass a truck when the steering started wobbling the ABS that EMS and the breaking system came on with the check engine light almost had no control and barely avoided having an accident the only way it went back to normal was slowing down.”
Filed Aug 25, 2025
“Brake monitor repair keeps illuminating since 2/1/2025! Replaced all brakes and rotors, yesterday 4/27/2025. now don't drive over 43 mph illuminates, emergency brake illuminates says push brake peddle to disengage parking brake yet parking brake has never been engaged”
Filed Apr 28, 2025
“Lost break, second time this month, showing break failed 40 mph max speed, abs light on, break light on, and 2 more light on the car with antislipiring or something like that, the another one no idea what it is”
Filed Feb 3, 2024
“ABS LIGHT LIMITED TO 43 MPH ESC system Steering assist reduced Service Trailer Brake System Engine light on”
Filed Nov 7, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 53 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. 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
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 103 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 84 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 68 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 25 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 25 reports