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 Sep 9, 2026

53 of the 457 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 53 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

pads or rotors replaced early

a brake warning light

the car did not 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.

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 Sierra 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

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.

$200$2,400$3,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 7,020 and 69,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.

1320

721

422

523

624

1425

426

What owners wrote

“Lifter failed due to AFM system. Cyl 8 misfire due to oil fouling. The onboard computer got confused and would not release the parking brake until repeated attemtps to release it. 5.3L V8 2020 model year 115250 miles. Isn't this the same problem as the 2021 and newer engines? 8spd transmission. AFM failure. $9k repair.”
Filed Sep 7, 2026 · 115,250 miles

“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

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.