2020 GMC Sierra 3500
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
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2020
Opened by NHTSA
37% of complaints
Complaints per year
2020: 51 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1999 | 19 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 36 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 25 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 49 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
37% · 19 reportsShow 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 reportsMost commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.
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 reportsEngine
12% · 6 reportsShow 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 reportsSafety timeline
8 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
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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.
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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.
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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.