2020 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 103owner reports
- 68,000median miles
- $10,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 19, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
248 of the 468 complaints on this car are about the engine. 103 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Sierra 1500.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (31 reports)
Tick what matches of 103 reports
Engine failure 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: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (99 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sierra 1500
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
What owners paid
26 of the 103 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $12,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 49,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 50 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 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 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.
This Preliminary information communicates the following issues and directs dealership to inspect the engine harness for shorting.
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.
What owners wrote
“Complete engine failure with 62,500 miles. Truck appears to have the same problem as the 21-2024 which is currently recalled and engines are being exchanged.”
Filed May 7, 2026 · 62,500 miles
“Vehicle has 28,000 miles and auto shop states that the engine is blow, it's knocking and vibrating throughout the engine.”
Filed Mar 16, 2026 · 28,000 miles
“Catastrophic engine failure at 62,445 miles. Dealer state excessive oil in cylinder 7, ring failure. Recommendations; remove and replace engine.”
Filed Feb 14, 2026 · 62,445 miles
“At approximately 54,000 miles had a complete engine failure. Lifter blew apart and damaged crank shaft. Complete engine rebuild. Rebuilt in approximately 3 weeks. 2022 At approximately 138,000 miles had another complete engine failure. Lifter blew apart again, Entire engine was replaced. New engine took 10 weeks to get. Installed in 2 days after recieved. 2025 No symptoms or warning lights present prior to failure.”
Filed Nov 7, 2025 · 54,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 103 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 84 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 68 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 53 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 25 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 25 reports