2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11359976 · 2020-09-19 (September 19, 2020)
NEW VEHICLE ON DEALER LOT. ENGINE (DIESEL) WOULD NOT START REMOTELY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED MANUALLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 11359976 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 11454995 · 2022-03-03 (March 3, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently downshift as the vehicle would fail to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) malfunction warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel during the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they acknowledged the failure but informed him that the parts to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11454995 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11463966 · 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)
GM recall N2123544170 DPF regeneration temperature /DEF heater for cold weather operation to keep def from freezing and also for thawing frozen def...dealer to replace def tank and internal heating element...dealer was unable to give a time line for replacement parts needed to fix truck.(parts are back ordered)So truck ECM=electonic control module.throws trouble code to reduce engine power that starts taking away engine power at 65 mph...then 55 mph... then 45... all the way down to 5 mph. This can happen at any time or anywhere that can resul…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11463966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479769 · 2022-08-17 (August 17, 2022)
The driver-side rear tire (P275/65R20) tread became separated while driving on I95 North with a fifthwheel. The tread became separated from the tire and caused sever damage to the trucks driver side rear wheel well and potential of losing control of the vehicle while towing a fifth wheel with my family of 5. The tire had to be replaced in another state so we could travel home and was not kept. There are pictures of the tire. There was no warning of this tire defect before it occurred.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479769 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 11530678 · 2023-07-06 (July 6, 2023)
The blower motor for the HVAC system caught fire.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11530678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532620 · 2023-07-16 (July 16, 2023)
Tire Size LT275/65R20 While towing a trailer was accelerating onto the freeway at approximately 45MPH the rear driver side tire exploded. The tread partially separated causing extensive damage to the vehicles wheel well, rear bumper and undercarriage. Tires was inflated to approximately 77PSI and tire temperatures were normal on the display cluster. Tire had 26,200 miles on it at the time of the incident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532620 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V814000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner
Reported: 2019-11-14 (November 14, 2019)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
Consequence: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V142000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2020-03-12 (March 12, 2020)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The hood-latch striker wires may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
Consequence: If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192284960.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V324000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | Structure:Body:Hood
Reported: 2020-06-04 (June 4, 2020)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles previously recalled under 20V-142. Some of the vehicles in 20V-324 were not part of Recall 20V-142 but received defect parts during another service (typically during collision repair). The hood-latch striker wires on replacement hoods installed for Safety Recall 20V-142 may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
Consequence: If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. For hoods sold over the counter, dealers will contact customers with instructions for hood replacement. The recall began July 7, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202306490.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V446000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator
Reported: 2020-07-30 (July 30, 2020)
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Consequence: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V792000 · Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners | Seat Belts
Reported: 2020-12-17 (December 17, 2020)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Consequence: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V060000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:Latch
Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 1, 2024)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
Consequence: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V797000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Valves/Valve Body | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software
Reported: 2024-10-24 (October 24, 2024)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Consequence: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V083000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Fluid/Lubricant:Valves/Valve Body
Reported: 2026-02-12 (February 12, 2026)
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Consequence: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
NHTSA campaign record ↗