2020 GMC Sierra 3500

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2020 GMC Sierra 3500
RENDERED 2026-10-31T23:27:39.089Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

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
51
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2020

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 1 complaint 1996 1997: 10 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1999: 19 complaints 2000: 26 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 20 complaints 2003: 7 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2007: 16 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 2 complaints 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 9 complaints 2012 2013: 14 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2015: 30 complaints 2016: 19 complaints 2016 2017: 13 complaints 2018: 14 complaints 2019: 13 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2020 51 2021: 20 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 49 complaints 2024 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1996: 1 complaint 1996 1997: 10 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1998 1999: 19 complaints 2000: 26 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 20 complaints 2002 2003: 7 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 16 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 9 complaints 2012 2013: 14 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2014 2015: 30 complaints 2016: 19 complaints 2016 2017: 13 complaints 2018: 14 complaints 2018 2019: 13 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2020 51 2021: 20 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 49 complaints 2024 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1996: 1 complaint 1996 1997: 10 complaints 1998: 12 complaints 1998 1999: 19 complaints 2000: 26 complaints 2000 2001: 36 complaints 2002: 20 complaints 2002 2003: 7 complaints 2004: 24 complaints 2004 2005: 24 complaints 2006: 11 complaints 2006 2007: 16 complaints 2008: 25 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 2 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 9 complaints 2012 2013: 14 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2014 2015: 30 complaints 2016: 19 complaints 2016 2017: 13 complaints 2018: 14 complaints 2018 2019: 13 complaints 2020: 51 complaints 2020 51 2021: 20 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 49 complaints 2024 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026

2020: 51 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
199710
199812
199919
200026
200136
200220
20037
200424
200524
200611
200716
200825
20095
20102
201120
20129
201314
20147
201530
201619
201713
201814
201913
202051
202120
202232
202328
202449
202517
20263

Known problem areas

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

Power train

37% · 19 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

driving approximately 50 mph when vehicle suddenly made loud bang and locked up rear brakes for 25' coming to a stop in road side ditch, numerous vehicles had to make evasive actions to avoid me and other vehicles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-02

Also filed under Service brakes

Electrical system

18% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The component that failed was the passenger side or main battery. Our safety was compromised when the design of the HVAC system and the battery location allowed the hydrogen sulfide gas into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-06-28

Service brakes

14% · 7 reports
CRASH

Engine

12% · 6 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Plugged in engine block heater and the car erupted in flames. Total loss.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-11-14

Fuel/propulsion system

10% · 5 reports

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 1 investigation · 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
    2020-04-13Latches/locks/linkages20V142000 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.

    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.

  3. R
    2020-07-07Latches/locks/linkages, structure20V324000 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.

    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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. I
    2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
  7. R
    2024-05-17Latches/locks/linkages24V060000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates.

    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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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 GMC Sierra 3500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 19 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 9 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 19V814000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 20V142000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 20V324000 · Latches/locks/linkages, structure
  • Recall 20V446000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V792000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 24V060000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 24V797000 · Power train
  • Recall 26V083000 · Power train

FAQ

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.