MYRModel Year Report

2020 GMC Sierra 1500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 1500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2020 highlighted. 1994: 13 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 5 complaints 1997: 83 complaints 1998: 59 complaints 1999: 158 complaints 1999 2000: 181 complaints 2001: 140 complaints 2002: 166 complaints 2003: 180 complaints 2004: 212 complaints 2004 2005: 177 complaints 2006: 144 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 380 complaints 2009: 234 complaints 2009 2010: 167 complaints 2011: 284 complaints 2012: 107 complaints 2013: 115 complaints 2014: 737 complaints 2014 2015: 715 complaints 2016: 340 complaints 2017: 352 complaints 2018: 297 complaints 2019: 626 complaints 2019 2020: 454 complaints 2020 2021: 540 complaints 2022: 552 complaints 2023: 439 complaints 2024: 336 complaints 2024 2025: 102 complaints 2026: 89 complaints 2026
2020: 454 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199413
19953
19965
199783
199859
1999158
2000181
2001140
2002166
2003180
2004212
2005177
2006144
2007262
2008380
2009234
2010167
2011284
2012107
2013115
2014737
2015715
2016340
2017352
2018297
2019626
2020454
2021540
2022552
2023439
2024336
2025102
202689

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE 49%

49% of complaints: engine — 223 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Piston 5 dropped compression to 120 the rest were 190-200. The engine failed therefore none of my parking assist sensors were working and I backed into a car because the truck was misfiring.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260824

Also filed under BACK OVER PREVENTION

The truck starting making a ticking noise within 24 hours the check engine light was on and it starting shuttering. I got it to the dealership were they informed me of lifters failure, and catastrophic engine failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260804

I brought my truck into a certified GM dealer for recall work on the ground strap. I left the dealership and multiple lights came on dash: check engine light, service ecs, traction control, service parking brake, steering assist reduced.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260803

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 93 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing torque converter.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

My truck shudders when driving. It has 78,000 miles on it. It started shuttering around 73,000 miles. I baby my truck and don't do switch backs or hot rod around.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260803

My truck transmission beed jerking off and on for over a year. One time it lose power when i was driving and could have caused an accident. I took it to the dealership and they said i new a new transmission for $12000.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260717

Also filed under SUSPENSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 78 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing speedometer/odometer and sensors.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tailgate releases on its own while parked, without the use of the switch. Tailgate released on its own with my trailer attached while parked on many occasions.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241204

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE SYSTEM BRAKE FAILURE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200617

Also filed under STEERING

THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP AND CAUSED THE TRUCK TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL NEARLY CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND JUMPING OVER THE CENTER DIVIDE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200304

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power steering fluid.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20191213 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 19V814000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191218 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 19V837000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2020 — complaint volume: 454
R 20200309 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 19V888000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200323 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 20V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200903 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V446000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201210 — power train

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.

Campaign 20V650000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20201217 — tires

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.

Campaign 20V684000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210126 — seat belts

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.

Campaign 20V792000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210322 — tires

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.

Campaign 21V115000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210409 — PE (closed 20230824)

Air Bag Malfunction

R 20220207 — tires

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.

Campaign 21V985000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241212 — power train

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.

Campaign 24V797000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20250116 — PE (closed 20251023)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

I 20251023 — EA (open)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

R 20260306 — power train

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.

Campaign 26V083000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (223 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (93 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (78 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 19V814000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V837000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V888000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V116000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V446000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V650000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V684000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V792000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V115000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V985000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V797000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 26V083000 (power train) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1997 ▲ 2026

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.