2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
730
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2020

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 2000: 613 complaints 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2002 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 358 complaints 2006 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2009: 444 complaints 2010: 363 complaints 2010 2011: 563 complaints 2012: 216 complaints 2013: 301 complaints 2014: 1,434 complaints 2014 2015: 1,105 complaints 2016: 792 complaints 2017: 712 complaints 2018: 518 complaints 2019: 1,077 complaints 2020: 730 complaints 2020 730 2021: 827 complaints 2022: 630 complaints 2023: 381 complaints 2024: 303 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 98 complaints 2026
1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1996 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 2000: 613 complaints 2000 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2002 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2004 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 358 complaints 2006 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2008 2009: 444 complaints 2010: 363 complaints 2010 2011: 563 complaints 2012: 216 complaints 2012 2013: 301 complaints 2014: 1,434 complaints 2014 2015: 1,105 complaints 2016: 792 complaints 2016 2017: 712 complaints 2018: 518 complaints 2018 2019: 1,077 complaints 2020: 730 complaints 2020 730 2021: 827 complaints 2022: 630 complaints 2022 2023: 381 complaints 2024: 303 complaints 2024 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 98 complaints 2026
1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1996 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 2000: 613 complaints 2000 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2002 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2004 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 358 complaints 2006 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2008 2009: 444 complaints 2010: 363 complaints 2010 2011: 563 complaints 2012: 216 complaints 2012 2013: 301 complaints 2014: 1,434 complaints 2014 2015: 1,105 complaints 2016: 792 complaints 2016 2017: 712 complaints 2018: 518 complaints 2018 2019: 1,077 complaints 2020: 730 complaints 2020 730 2021: 827 complaints 2022: 630 complaints 2022 2023: 381 complaints 2024: 303 complaints 2024 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 98 complaints 2026

2020: 730 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199410
19953
19967
1997555
1998361
1999587
2000613
2001468
2002509
2003805
2004797
2005525
2006358
2007849
2008914
2009444
2010363
2011563
2012216
2013301
20141,434
20151,105
2016792
2017712
2018518
20191,077
2020730
2021827
2022630
2023381
2024303
202597
202698

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

33% · 242 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Description of Problem: While driving, the engine intermittently revs on its own without any input from the accelerator pedal. During these episodes, the vehicle also shakes/vibrates noticeably.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-27

Dear Sir or Madam, I am submitting this complaint to request that the Federal Trade Commission investigate General Motors (Chevrolet) regarding what appears to be a known engine defect affecting the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and the company's...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

While driving my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with the 5.3L V8 engine and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM), the engine developed an internal valvetrain failure resulting in misfires, rough running, and reduced engine performance.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

Power train

31% · 226 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and torque converter.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and downshifted independently. No warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-09

Service brakes

15% · 113 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The Electronic Parking Brake System on my 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 continuously malfunctions. Chevy/ GM Customer Support has been made aware of this issue and continues to disregard it entirely.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-20

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

15% · 112 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and wiring harness.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Our 2020 Chevy 1500 Trail Boss was waiting for an ordered instrument cluster at service department. The surveillance camera, film the vehicle catch on fire after being parked for 2 days.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-07

A/C blower motor over heated and caught the electrical wires on fire under the dash.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-02

Backup camera only is functional in perfect weather conditions. If it's dark with no light, the camera has resolution similar to a 1950 tube tv. If it's rainy or cloudy, the backup camera is not functional either.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-22

Also filed under Exterior lighting

Steering

10% · 74 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2019-12-13Seat belts19V814000 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.

    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.

  2. R
    2019-12-18Fuel system, gasoline19V837000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019.

  3. ▮
    2020Complaint volume 730 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2020-03-09Electrical system19V888000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary.

  5. R
    2020-03-23Service brakes, hydraulic20V116000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559.

  6. R
    2020-09-03Air bags20V446000 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.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020.

  7. R
    2020-12-10Power train20V650000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267.

  8. R
    2020-12-17Tires20V684000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020.

  9. R
    2021-01-26Seat belts20V792000 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.

    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.

  10. R
    2021-03-22Tires21V115000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021.

  11. I
    2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
  12. R
    2022-02-07Tires21V985000 General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire.

    Remedy: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge.

  13. R
    2024-12-12Power train24V797000 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...

    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.

  14. I
    2025-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-10-23 Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  15. I
    2025-10-23Engineering analysisOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  16. R
    2026-03-06Power train26V083000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026.

Buy-smart checklist

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 242 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 226 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 113 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 19V814000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 19V837000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 19V888000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V116000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 20V446000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V650000 · Power train
  • Recall 20V684000 · Tires
  • Recall 20V792000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V115000 · Tires
  • Recall 21V985000 · Tires
  • Recall 24V797000 · Power train
  • Recall 26V083000 · Power train

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.