2020 GMC Sierra 1500 · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 68owner reports
- 54,500median miles
- $5,100median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
367 of the 468 complaints on this car are about the engine. 68 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 68 reports
Stalling 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: 2016, 2018, 2025.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (7 reports), the fuel pump (3 reports) and the battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
5 recalls on the engine cover the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
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.
The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
All 12 recalls on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
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.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Non-crash engine compartment fires. Closed sep 8, 2008, led to recall 08V-441.
Non-crash engine compartment fires. Closed jun 12, 2008.
What owners paid
14 of the 68 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,600 to $11,778.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 36,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 14 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 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 ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This service bulletin provides repair information for Engine Wire Harness Chafing to correct customer concerns of IPC Gauges Sweep, IPC Warning Message, SES/Check Engine/MIL, No Start/ No Crank, Runs Rough, Stalls, Reduced Engine Power, Various DTCs.
10 more on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“Driving approximately 75mph on a local highway, my engine shut down with no warning, the screen said to shift into neutral to restart but nothing happened so I was stranded along the side of the highway and had to wait 2hrs for a tow truck in the middle of the night and the engine is currently locked up.”
Filed Aug 29, 2026
“Engine lost all power while driving highway speed. Vehicle towed to Cavender Chevrolet dealer in Boerne, TX. Dealer inspected and determined cam bearings damaged. Engine replaced with remanufactured engine.”
Filed Dec 7, 2025
“My truck had engine failure while at the dealership getting new tires installed on 11/12/2025. When they started my truck they detected major knocking in my engine the 1st thing in the morning. It unsafe to drive they're telling me my engine needs to be replaced. My engine has 58,000 miles on it. There was no issues with my truck when I drop it off.”
Filed Nov 20, 2025 · 58,000 miles
“Engine failure/ lifter issue with no prior warning. Driving down the road vehicle suddenly lost power and error message appeared. The vehicle was inspected by GM dealer and extended warranty company in late 2023. We no longer own this vehicle”
Filed Jun 12, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 68 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 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
- 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