2020 Gmc SIERRA 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 ↗
Owner report 11341106 · 2020-07-23 (July 23, 2020)
WHILE TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER, THE EXHAUST WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE CAMPER DIRECTLY BEHIND IT. WAS CAUGHT IN SIDE MIRROR BEFORE ANYTHING CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11341106 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 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 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 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 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 ↗
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 ↗