repaired · 2026 Q3
Control module: software
NewRisk. Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
2020 GMC Sierra 1500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 486 owner complaints about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the engine. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 21V-985 the manufacturer reports only 53% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 10, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 has problems
486 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
245Engine4 crash/fire/injury
99Power train1 crash/fire/injury
81Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
49Service brakes4 crash/fire/injury
39Steering
27Fuel/propulsion system
21Engine and engine cooling
18Suspension
14Forward collision avoidance
8119 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 245 | 4 |
| Power train | 99 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 81 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 49 | 4 |
| Steering | 39 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 27 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 0 |
| Suspension | 18 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 14 | 0 |
| 19 other systems | 81 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Control module: software
Risk. Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q4
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Risk. An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Tires
Risk. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2022 Q4
Seat belts
Risk. 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…
repaired · 2022 Q3
Tires
Risk. Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to…
repaired · 2022 Q3
Driveline: driveshaft
Risk. If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Curtain: inflator
Risk. If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Disc: caliper
Risk. Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q2
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk. A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
44kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 43 engine complaints. 81% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 27% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
14under 30k miles35under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
27 owners mentioned a cost$10,000median
Middle half: $7,350 – $11,889
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Sierra 1500 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra 1500 median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 safety ratings
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 PU/CC 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of motive power due to engine failureOpen
- Air Bag MalfunctionNo recall
- Loss of motive power due to engine failureLed to recall 25V-274
In owners' words
What Sierra 1500 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
6.2 liter engine failed at 59,300 miles. Being replaced right now with remanufactured engine. 2020 GMC Sierra is not part of recall but others have had problems as well
I own a 2020 GMC sierra AT4. It has developed a shudder when cruising on the highway or driving in town around 1500rpm. I believe it is coming from the transmission. A local shop mentioned the torque converter. The shudder feels like a delay in power and makes it difficult to hold speed or…
This morning it seems as if my 6.2L GM motor threw a rod. All the initial sounds and check engine information point toward that. I will be taking it to a dealer to confirm the issue. Data center driving ability and sounds indicate steering was affected as well or is somehow connected.
Own a 2020 Sierra 1500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.