RoadVitals

2020 Chevrolet Express Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Sep 24, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Express, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Body & structure314.3%
  • Electrical314.3%
  • Engine314.3%
  • Brakes29.5%
  • Fuel system14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power and shuddered abnormally, causing the vehicle to decelerate to 40 MPH. The vehicle was pulled over and restarted; however, the failure persisted. The failure recurred while driving at 40 MPH on several occasions. An independent mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V839000 (POWER TRAIN); and refused to provide a diagnosis without a visible fractured part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,753.

NHTSA ID 11726848 · filed Mar 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and was shuddering while driving on the highway. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and restarted; however, the failure reoccurred shortly afterwards while driving at 15 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then driven to a dealer, where the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V839000 (POWER TRAIN); and associated the issue with the recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11721782 · filed Mar 3, 2026
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other) →

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Door latches on the side rear door need replaced every few months. Dealer charges $1300 to fix this issue on 8 of the 2020 Chevy Expresses that I we own.

NHTSA ID 11692060 · filed Oct 8, 2025

Bought this van new & when traveling down a hill, brake assist helps slow up the van. Once the van is on level ground, it will NOT shift back out of the brake assist & it takes effort or time to return to normal D. I was told I must set up & find a hill. I had major water leaks in the van & once corrected, there started a whistling of air now. The passenger door was 1/4" off, nowhere near flush. How does that get missed? Lastly, the right read brake cylinder went out with less then 12,000 miles on it. Many many problems with this "new" van. I'm concerned for my safely & others. The future looks bad with this lemon.

NHTSA ID 11454725 · filed Mar 1, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle is experiencing an under-chassis manufacturing wiring harness restriction (Connector X185) that was installed too tightly from the factory, dropping the 5-volt reference power circuit down to 0 volts under load. This intermittent electrical failure completely starves the fuel pump, causing the fuel loop pressure to drop to a dangerous 43.5 PSI while driving (GM factory specification is 55–100 PSI). This electrical breakdown simultaneously chokes the fuel tank vapor loops, causing the fuel tank pressure to spike to an extreme -1100 vacuum pressure parameter. This results in severe engine hesitation, random vehicle starving of fuel, an abysmal 9.9 MPG average compared to the 13 MPG combined standard, and an automated network communication failure resulting in four distinct audible dashboard warning beeps. It also cuts power to the Brake Pedal Position sensor, crashing the StabiliTrak traction control system. This creates a severe, immediate safety hazard under heavy highway driving conditions. This active powertrain hazard has been verified by a certified independent service center via secondary diagnostic data stack logs. MacMulkin Chevrolet is currently holding the commercial vehicle and explicitly refusing to execute the necessary wiring harness circuit trace to resolve the underlying hazard because a dashboard light is not illuminated, leaving a documented safety defect completely un-repaired on a commercial asset.

NHTSA ID 11766626 · filed Sep 24, 2026

While driving this cargo van, the driver stopped in traffic to make a left hand turn. In the middle of the turn, the vehicle stalled out and would not immediately start, exposing the vehicle to nearly being hit by the oncoming traffic. When the vehicle eventually restarted, and later brought to a GM dealer for repair, it was discovered that the main ground cable had completely deteriorated. In our fleet of 15 GM vehicles, this is now the SEVENTH vehicle that has needed this main ground cable replaced. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ID 11695217 · filed Oct 23, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle is experiencing an under-chassis manufacturing wiring harness restriction (Connector X185) that was installed too tightly from the factory, dropping the 5-volt reference power circuit down to 0 volts under load. This intermittent electrical failure completely starves the fuel pump, causing the fuel loop pressure to drop to a dangerous 43.5 PSI while driving (GM factory specification is 55–100 PSI). This electrical breakdown simultaneously chokes the fuel tank vapor loops, causing the fuel tank pressure to spike to an extreme -1100 vacuum pressure parameter. This results in severe engine hesitation, random vehicle starving of fuel, an abysmal 9.9 MPG average compared to the 13 MPG combined standard, and an automated network communication failure resulting in four distinct audible dashboard warning beeps. It also cuts power to the Brake Pedal Position sensor, crashing the StabiliTrak traction control system. This creates a severe, immediate safety hazard under heavy highway driving conditions. This active powertrain hazard has been verified by a certified independent service center via secondary diagnostic data stack logs. MacMulkin Chevrolet is currently holding the commercial vehicle and explicitly refusing to execute the necessary wiring harness circuit trace to resolve the underlying hazard because a dashboard light is not illuminated, leaving a documented safety defect completely un-repaired on a commercial asset.

NHTSA ID 11766626 · filed Sep 24, 2026

Catalytic converter cracked at exhaust manifold @5 yrs, 34,600 miles. Known problem, denial, scam warranty allowing them to break ‘clean air act’ and scam customers into paying. On the hook myself for a fed law requiring manufacturers repair. At my shop getting fixed when they offered to fix after my mention of fraud! 3 years of claimed-broken welds in vans (doghouse over motor). I know of 4th year problem. Also not believing bad weld.Engineer friend says stress crack. Weak metal, no support due to flex pipe I believe. Cheap parts, money over safety again. And I have proof they do it and deny, misdiagnose, and lie. Criminal I think. Posting online about warranty scam. I was schooled in auto, small business owner. I know law! Given up on gov I’m sorry to say.

NHTSA ID 11690865 · filed Oct 1, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

After purchasing a used vehicle 2020 model, and after setting in owner's garage for two weeks, the vehicle was driven at slow speed thru two intersections after a complete stop. at the third intersection stopsign the vehicle started moving slowly with the brake on. the brake was then applied much harder very forcefully to avoid a collision. the vehicle continued moving at a creep striking the rear of the vehicle that was passing thru the intersection. the vehicle then continued on..with the brake pedal still applied at floor level and only stopping after hitting the ditch. Problem was----BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO FLOOR AND NOT STOPPING VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 11466204 · filed May 26, 2022

Bought this van new & when traveling down a hill, brake assist helps slow up the van. Once the van is on level ground, it will NOT shift back out of the brake assist & it takes effort or time to return to normal D. I was told I must set up & find a hill. I had major water leaks in the van & once corrected, there started a whistling of air now. The passenger door was 1/4" off, nowhere near flush. How does that get missed? Lastly, the right read brake cylinder went out with less then 12,000 miles on it. Many many problems with this "new" van. I'm concerned for my safely & others. The future looks bad with this lemon.

NHTSA ID 11454725 · filed Mar 1, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The vehicle is experiencing an under-chassis manufacturing wiring harness restriction (Connector X185) that was installed too tightly from the factory, dropping the 5-volt reference power circuit down to 0 volts under load. This intermittent electrical failure completely starves the fuel pump, causing the fuel loop pressure to drop to a dangerous 43.5 PSI while driving (GM factory specification is 55–100 PSI). This electrical breakdown simultaneously chokes the fuel tank vapor loops, causing the fuel tank pressure to spike to an extreme -1100 vacuum pressure parameter. This results in severe engine hesitation, random vehicle starving of fuel, an abysmal 9.9 MPG average compared to the 13 MPG combined standard, and an automated network communication failure resulting in four distinct audible dashboard warning beeps. It also cuts power to the Brake Pedal Position sensor, crashing the StabiliTrak traction control system. This creates a severe, immediate safety hazard under heavy highway driving conditions. This active powertrain hazard has been verified by a certified independent service center via secondary diagnostic data stack logs. MacMulkin Chevrolet is currently holding the commercial vehicle and explicitly refusing to execute the necessary wiring harness circuit trace to resolve the underlying hazard because a dashboard light is not illuminated, leaving a documented safety defect completely un-repaired on a commercial asset.

NHTSA ID 11766626 · filed Sep 24, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .