2020 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
28,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 51 complaints (37.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 23.5% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 17.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 9.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.0% |
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 | 19 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
Power Train: 19; Electrical System: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Engine: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Structure:Body: 4; Tires: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 41 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 5; 2022: 8; 2023: 5; 2024: 13; 2025: 15; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 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 11418595 · 2021-05-26 (May 26, 2021)
The computer lite up the dash and reduced power, plus took the trailer brakes off line. This happened while loaded. To reset the system you have to pull over and turn the vehicle off. This happens 2-3 times per day. This was a problem at 600 miles. The transmission shifted from 10 gear to 5th gear while driving 75 miles per hour. The truck had 75,000 miles on it . Had to send another truck out to pick up the load in Santa Rosa New Mexico. The dealer Glenn Polk in Sanger has been working on for the last 4 months There is never a warning…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559106 · 2023-12-08 (December 8, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that after stopping at a stop light, the light turned green and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact drove a short distance and noticed that the failure was reoccurring. The contact drove the vehicle to a safe location and turned off the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the exterior of the vehicle was covered with transmission fluid. The contact stated that the transmission fluid was also …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11559106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418543 · 2021-05-25 (May 25, 2021)
The computer malfunctions. It is available for inspection. The computer lights up and causes failure in the trailer brakes. Glenn Polk the dealership in Sanger Texas has been working on a fix but has yet to come up with one. I have spoken with General Motors Representatives several time trying to resolve the problem without result. I also emailed the CEO last Friday and have heard nothing. There were no warning lights until seconds before failure.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375790 · 2020-11-22 (November 22, 2020)
PROGRESSIVE PAUSE STARTS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF PAUSE STARTING VEHICLE HAD NO POWER AT ALL. TOWED IT TO DEALER THEY REPLACED A BAD BATTERY. PAUSE START CONTINUED AND AFTER 4-5 WEEKS VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. COULDN'T TURN PARK BREAK OFF. THERE WAS POWER (LIGHTS IN DASH CAME ONE) BUT DIDN'T START. VEHICLE PARKED AND ONLY AFTER SITTING UNUSED THIS HAPPENED BOTH TIMES. (1ST TIME NO START, HADN'T DRIVEN FOR 3 DAYS, END OF SUMMER WEATHER) (2ND NO START, SAT OVERNIGHT COOL WEATHER, BUT NO FREEZING. TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11375790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440826 · 2021-11-17 (November 17, 2021)
Infotainment system AND center instrument cluster went completely black - six times over the course of one month. I took the truck to Alan Webb Chevrolet in Vancouver Washington. Their service technician was aware of infotainment system “Black Screen of Death - BSD” problems due to previous repair work on several different GM models. However, on the way to their Service Department to get this fixed, I rolled down the driver’s side window about 6 inches to get some fresh air and rolled it back up. Out of nowhere the Infotainment system AND the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418617 · 2021-05-26 (May 26, 2021)
The computer lights up dash reducing power and taking the trailer brakes away. This almost caused a wreck when the truck shut off and the brakes failed. This truck has been in the shop at least once per month trying to fix the issues, from computer and brake failure to injector failure. Glenn Polk Chevrolet in Sanger has been working on this since the truck was new. Also we have case open with General Motors without resolution. The dash lights up at the same time as the brakes fail.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418621 · 2021-05-26 (May 26, 2021)
The computer lights up the dash reducing power and turning off power to trailer brakes. This has almost caused an accident on several occasions . It happens a couple of times per trips. This vehicle has been in the shop a couple of times per month since it was put into service. Glenn Polk Chevrolet has worked on it each time and the problem is still there. This truck has also had several injector issues. There is an open case with this vehicle with General Motors with no resolution. I have filled out forms on each of my 2020 GMC's 3500'…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11288740 · 2019-12-12 (December 12, 2019)
VEHICLE EXHIBITS STEERING WHEEL SHAKE / SHIMMY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50MPH, SOMETIMES SEVERE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR (CURRENTLY 4 DEALER VISITS), INCLUDING APPLICATION OF SERVICE BULLETIN 19-NA-240 DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. GM HAS NOW INDICATED THIS IS A "NORMAL" CONDITION, AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE FURTHER WARRANTY REIMBURSABLE LABOR FOR CORRECTION TO DEALER. THIS STEERING CONDITION AFFECTS SAFETY AS IT OCCURS IN VARYING SEVERITY AND WITH NO WARNING, ESPECIALLY DURING DRIVING OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT / BUMPS, AND HAS NEARLY LEAD TO A LOSS OF CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 221 miles reported. Look up ODI 11288740 at NHTSA ↗