2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 42 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 14 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 23.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
Power Train: 16; Service Brakes: 7; Engine: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Electrical System: 3; Tires: 3; Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 8; 2024: 8; 2025: 13; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 14 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11624953 · 2024-11-13 (November 13, 2024)
Transmission lock up traveling 45 miles an hour while acceleration up modest uphill grade pulling a 3000 pound trailer. The lockup was severe enough to cause passengers to lunge forward with seatbelt engagement. There was no loss of control of the vehicle; however, we did stop the vehicle to inspect it with no damage observed. We expected to see some. This event would have caused a likely loss of control of the vehicle if the lockup was for longer duration. Vehicle also had prior hard shifts that are still occurring. These hard shifts usually o…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11632943 · 2024-12-29 (December 29, 2024)
Dealership told me the throttle body failed in my transmission. I wanted it completely torn down to find the actual point of failure since it did represent the current recall on the truck that hadn't been done because the part isn't yet available. The transmission has been replaced for almost $10,000.00
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11632943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403934 · 2021-03-19 (March 19, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE WEAR SENSOR INDICATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE AT 73 PERCENT WHILE THE REAR BRAKES WERE AT 52 PERCENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LONE STAR CHEVROLET (18900 NORTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 7…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11521535 · 2023-05-11 (May 11, 2023)
I purchased a certified pre-owned 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD (6.6 Gas) November 2021. Within the next few weeks, I noticed brake squeaking that kept getting worse and the truck braking system would not stop like the 2500 I had traded in when I purchased the 3500HD. I had to adjust the trailer brake gain control up to as high as 9 or 9.5, should not have to adjust that high. I had trouble stopping at intersections and quick /emergency braking situations while pulling our trailer. This tells me the truck braking system is not working properly. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11521535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11540298 · 2023-08-23 (August 23, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that after driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a fifth wheel, after visual inspection, the contact observed that due to the routing of exhaust system, heat from the exhaust had started to melt the front wall of the trailer. The contact was concerned that the trailer battery and propane tank were resting on the other side wall, which could potentially cause a fire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the fa…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11540298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11668128 · 2025-06-20 (June 20, 2025)
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while hauling a 2020 Heartland Cyclone, the trailer brakes unexpectedly deactivated. The contact stated that the trailer brake was disconnected, and the warning light to check the trailer winch was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the contact was informed that the trailer brake module had failed and needed …
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11668128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11670278 · 2025-06-30 (June 30, 2025)
Goodyear Wrangler Trail Runner AT LT275/65R20 126/123S I had been traveling at 55 mph when I started noticing a vibration in the steering wheel and front wheels. It started getting a little more noticeable, so I pulled over and checked out the front tires. I checked the lug nuts, looking for missing wheel balance weights, and checked the tires for any bulges. Everything seemed to be ok. Started driving again and the vibration was still there. As I was slowing down for a traffic light, the tire tread separated, and I pulled over. The tire…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11670278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11747679 · 2026-07-01 (July 1, 2026)
The fuel pump driver module. I filled my truck up with diesel and it drove home fine. Later that afternoon left the house and got half mile down the road and the truck just shut off with no warning lamps or message. When this happened, you could not steer the truck and the brakes barley worked, now after the truck cut off a message came to shift in neutral. I was lucky no one was on the road at that time. Now had this happened the day before when I was coming home pulling a 40ft fifth wheel, this could have been catastrophic. When this fuel pum…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11747679 at NHTSA ↗