repaired · 2026 Q3
Control module: software
NewRisk. Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
2020 GMC Sierra 3500Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 51 owner complaints about the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500, most often about the power train. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-324 the manufacturer reports only 68% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 has problems
51 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
19Power train3 crash/fire/injury
9Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
7Service brakes1 crash/fire/injury
6Engine1 crash/fire/injury
5Structure1 crash/fire/injury
5Fuel/propulsion system
4Tires
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
99 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 19 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 1 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 9 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 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 · 2026 Q1
Tailgate: latch
Risk. 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.
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…
Show 4 more recalls
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 · 2022 Q2
Hood: latch
Risk. If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q1
Hood: latch
Risk. If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Sierra 3500 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 3500 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
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag MalfunctionNo recall
In owners' words
What Sierra 3500 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My truck has been exhibiting hard downshifting at certain speeds, when the powertrain loads up such as a grade change, and requires a downshift. I have complained about this issue to the dealership as early as 2022, and 33,185 miles. The dealership made me pay for a transmission $388.90 flush which…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission valve body sensor had…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the rear differential seized, in addition, the contact was hauling a median size tracker on top of a flat bed. The flat bed jackknifed and hit the left side of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was able to…
Own a 2020 Sierra 3500?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.