2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 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
- Engine25026.5%
- Powertrain (other)21022.2%
- Brakes11011.6%
- Electrical10411.0%
- Steering717.5%
- Driver assistance505.3%
- Fuel system373.9%
- Body & structure232.4%
- Suspension202.1%
- Other / unspecified151.6%
- Visibility121.3%
- Exterior lighting111.2%
- Airbags111.2%
- Interior & seats80.8%
- Seat belts50.5%
- Tires & wheels40.4%
- Transmission30.3%
- Heating & air conditioning10.1%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown which system failed. While driving on the freeway, truck lost power for a few seconds. Dash lights turned off and back on. Our safety and the safety of others on the freeway were at risk as we had no control of the vehicle. Have not had the truck checked for the problem. Scared to drive it. No warnings appeared.
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. This has occurred [once / multiple times — specify frequency, e.g., “several times over the past X weeks”]. The engine revving is not consistent with normal acceleration and appears unrelated to throttle position. The shaking is felt throughout the cabin and is most noticeable [at idle / at speed / when the revving occurs — specify if known]. Safety Concern: This creates a risk of sudden, unintended changes in vehicle speed or loss of control, particularly if it occurs in traffic, while merging, or at highway speed.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving my transmission has a shutter. The shutter started about yr and half ago and I have just maintained with shutter stop. I know there is a recall on manufactured parts for other Chevrolet trucks in the same yr
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. Additionally, an OBD2 diagnostic scan retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: U0146, U0101, and U0100. A local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in any recall. Additionally, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. The Electronic Parking Brake, which is an automatic function that cannot be turned off or bypassed, fails to fully disengage when the vehicle is taken out of Park. The Electronic Parking Brake remains very slightly engaged, producing a slight noise while driving and causing excessively premature wear on the vehicles pads and rotors. My vehicle has about 64,000 miles on it, and I have had to replace my rear brakes twice now already, due to this issue. The majority of those 64,000 miles are from uninterrupted highway driving. Each time the rear brakes were replaced, I had the dealership inspect the braking system. The dealership was not able to definitively confirm for some reason but was able to speculate that the aforementioned is likely what is going on. I find that any malfunction of such a critical part of the vehicle and the safety of it's operators and passengers poses a major safety risk.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of drive power with high RPM. The check engine, traction control, ABS, and parking brake warning lights were illuminated, and the message "Brake System Failure, 43 MPH Top Speed" was displayed. The contact disconnected the battery and was able to correct the failure. The failure later recurred with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown which system failed. While driving on the freeway, truck lost power for a few seconds. Dash lights turned off and back on. Our safety and the safety of others on the freeway were at risk as we had no control of the vehicle. Have not had the truck checked for the problem. Scared to drive it. No warnings appeared.
Odometer Fraud. The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The contact stated that at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 54,753. The current mileage was approximately 56,000. As per a Carfax report, the contact discovered the vehicle was reported stolen on May 2nd, 2025, with the vehicle mileage at 102,610. The contact was concerned that the odometer was altered prior to the purchase.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Intermittent issue where info says brake failure/steering assist not working/limited speed to 43 mph. Very dangerous if you’re on the interstate. Becomes hard to steer, brakes don’t work, brakes start burning up. Have to carry tools with me to reset ecm. Very common problem with Silverado with 5.3 gas engine. Chevy needs to fix this issue before someone gets killed. I would give them my truck back if I could.
In several situations, I have lost partial or complete power steering ability. Once, while driving, I recieved a SERVICE ESC message and steering became quite difficult. Another time, power steering was completely gone, making steering impossible, although every other aspect of the vehicle operated normally. In both instances, there was no clear issue and after some time with the vehicle parked and off, it would return to normal. Possible loss of power steering unexpectedly is a serious concern at this point.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown which system failed. While driving on the freeway, truck lost power for a few seconds. Dash lights turned off and back on. Our safety and the safety of others on the freeway were at risk as we had no control of the vehicle. Have not had the truck checked for the problem. Scared to drive it. No warnings appeared.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the sound grew louder while making a turn. The Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where one diagnostic trouble code was displayed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a second local dealer, who retrieved a code for fuel injector number eight and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a third dealership, Knapp Chevrolet, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. This has occurred [once / multiple times — specify frequency, e.g., “several times over the past X weeks”]. The engine revving is not consistent with normal acceleration and appears unrelated to throttle position. The shaking is felt throughout the cabin and is most noticeable [at idle / at speed / when the revving occurs — specify if known]. Safety Concern: This creates a risk of sudden, unintended changes in vehicle speed or loss of control, particularly if it occurs in traffic, while merging, or at highway speed.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the sound grew louder while making a turn. The Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where one diagnostic trouble code was displayed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a second local dealer, who retrieved a code for fuel injector number eight and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a third dealership, Knapp Chevrolet, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while vehicle was parked, water was leaking inside the rear interior of the cab. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the vehicle was serviced but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
Component/System That Failed: The rear sliding window assembly leaked water into the cabin due to a manufacturing defect in the urethane seal and third brake light area. The window has been replaced and no longer leaks, but the water caused lasting damage to the headliner with trapped moisture. Components are available for inspection. Safety/Health Risk: The leak saturated the headliner, creating a serious risk of mold growth. My pregnant wife and unborn baby could be exposed to mold spores. Water intrusion also risks slippery floors, fogging, and potential electrical issues. Dealer Confirmation: Folsom Chevrolet confirmed the leak, replaced the window, and recommended full headliner replacement due to staining and mold risk. This is covered in GM TSB 18-NA-383. Manufacturer Awareness: GM has known about this defect for years but denied full repair (Claim #9582-9999). Symptoms: No warning lights. Leak first noticed in September 2025 after rains began. Due to dry California summer, it went unnoticed earlier, even though the defect likely started while the vehicle was still within the 3-year warranty period (mileage was over 36k when noticed). Additional Info: This is a known workmanship defect unrelated to mileage. A coworker has had the same issue twice on his 2025 Silverado. I paid $492.79 for the window + $144.50 diagnostic. GM offered only $1,250 in points and refused better resolution for the $3,100 headliner repair.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Well taken care of 2020 trailboss upper control arm completely failed driving down the interstate with family in the truck. Suspect defect from ball joints. Only 68k miles. No warnings. Tire fell into suspension causing thousands in damage. Had to be towed. At high speed we could've all been killed. Seen multiple reports online of similar ball joint/ control arm failures. This needs to be addressed ASAP! Very dangerous.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The contact stated that her husband observed that the driver’s side front wheel had detached. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the control arms, rack and pinion, and ball joints had separated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,907.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
With only 70,000 miles on the truck it started to have a hard shudder and wheels locking up. During the wheel shudder it would shift hard as well. We took it to a shop and they said it was our Transmission control module and that the transmission had metal shavings and would fail soon. They also said doing any service to these transmissions can cause failure.We were informed that the dealership is aware these transmissions are all failing. The cost to replace is over $6,500. The dealership should have to do an official recall for this. After some research i found that the dealership has acknowledged the issue by replacing the TCM and uploading new software to put the transmission into a fail safe instead of putting in a new transmission. The issues that the failure causes has made thousands of people have to get new transmissions before the service is even due. A quick search on Google states that 461,000 vehicles were effected and that a recall has been issued, but it has not been officially issued. We need a new transmission and should not have to pay for it on a truck that is so new and serviced timely.
On August 17,2025 I was driving on the freeway when I heard a loud bang and I thought my tire blew but it also felt like I hit something, however I pulled over and tires were ok. I proceeded to go again and this time if can feel my rear tire lock up and then let go. I pulled into a parking lot and my tires had some strips on them as if they where dragged.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I noticed that the carpet behind the seat was wet and moldy in the truck so I started looking and noticed the rear window was leaking in two areas. This has obviously been going on for a while as it explains why the kids have been complaining about the smell back there. Since Florida is sub-tropical mold and mildew is a problem and a health issue. I investigated and found hundreds of complaints regarding this issue with failed sealant and cracks. I also discovered a service bulletin that describes the issue but GM refuses to fix it since they say it's not a safety or mechanical issue. Well, I happen to disagree with that since the leak causes the window to fog up and an unsafe environment for people to breath in mold spores in a small space. So, my visibility is impaired and I have to suffer with respiratory issues? This seems to be reason enough for them to perform a permanent repair at their expense, not mine and they can take it out of the designers pay, not mine. Can you help with this?
Rear sliding window is leaking from unknown area.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
When a trailer is connected while parked and vehicle is off, trailer lights flicker, blink and sometimes remain on. Sometimes these events will set off alarm also draining battery down.
Voltage will drop and effects steering, dash lights, radio, headlights
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear window is leaking onto the carpet beneath it creating mold and could allow water to enter the SRS module. Currently i have a tray blocking that water but without that the SRS system could be affected by the water entering the cabin through the rear window.
MVC involving 7 vehicles. My truck was rear ended, pushed into on coming traffic where i was hit in the front fender, bumper and side wall of front right side ( passenger side). The rear bumper was rolled under the truck and the front right side was pushed inward towards driver side. The front passenger seat was pushed toward the driver seat. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED!!!
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am writing to formally report a persistent and dangerous manufacturing defect regarding the rear window and seating assemblies in my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. I have already had GM replace the rear window in 2023, it needs replaced again now in 2026. The rear window seal is failing, allowing a significant amount of rainwater to leak into the cab. Because of this ongoing water intrusion, the structural base and brackets of the rear seats have developed severe rust. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this constant moisture saturation is creating an unseen mold hazard within the cabin, which poses a direct health and respiratory risk to my passengers.This leak also risks damaging sensitive electrical components and wiring harnesses located under the rear seats and trim panels, potentially causing short circuits and sudden failures of critical safety systems while driving.Many other owners of this generation Silverado have reported identical issues, including cracked plastic frames around the sliding rear glass that cause the leaks. Because this defect compromises vehicle integrity, creates a risk of electrical failure, and poses health hazards from mold, I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this issue as a potential safety defect requiring a manufacturer recall.
Sliding rear window leaking, causing mold and ruined seats. Had it "fixed" in 2023 only 3 years of owing it. Now here 3 years later the same issue is occurring and they're not willing to make it right. Mold causes a safety hazard for my children and anyone in my vehicle. My truck only has 30,000 miles on it and I shouldn't be having this issue
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am writing to formally report a persistent and dangerous manufacturing defect regarding the rear window and seating assemblies in my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. I have already had GM replace the rear window in 2023, it needs replaced again now in 2026. The rear window seal is failing, allowing a significant amount of rainwater to leak into the cab. Because of this ongoing water intrusion, the structural base and brackets of the rear seats have developed severe rust. Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that this constant moisture saturation is creating an unseen mold hazard within the cabin, which poses a direct health and respiratory risk to my passengers.This leak also risks damaging sensitive electrical components and wiring harnesses located under the rear seats and trim panels, potentially causing short circuits and sudden failures of critical safety systems while driving.Many other owners of this generation Silverado have reported identical issues, including cracked plastic frames around the sliding rear glass that cause the leaks. Because this defect compromises vehicle integrity, creates a risk of electrical failure, and poses health hazards from mold, I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this issue as a potential safety defect requiring a manufacturer recall.
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, he observed smoke emanating from the area of the vehicle between the cab and the bed, prompting him and the other occupants to quickly evacuate. Within moments, the vehicle caught fire and was engulfed in flames. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the fire. The contact was informed that fire investigators on scene determined that the fire had appeared to originate in the electrical system associated with the seat belt located behind the rear passenger side seat. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was likely to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V814000 (Seat Belts); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado LD Crew with General Grabber RST/LT-T1. Tire Size: 255/70R17. DOT Number: A3E8hn002320. The contact stated that while spouse was driving approximately 30 mph they heard a stranger noise and noticed that rear passenger tire had split. The tire was remove and replaced with the spare the contact then stated that a week later contact's husband was driving around 50 mph and abnormal sound was heard again and that is when they noticed that the rear driver side had a blowout. Triple A was contacted and vehicle was towed to their home. The contact stated that they contacted tire manufacturer General and tire manufacturer stated that they would need to contact the dealer, dealer stated that the tires were bad and that General would not assist on replacing the tires. Contact stated tires are original tires of vehicle. Vehicle and tire failure damage was about 40,000.
See attached document for complaint
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the vehicle shuddered and jerked erratically. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the Toyota dealer where it was purchased, where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated with the unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,442.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly shuddered and hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated the seat heater was disengaged but failed to respond, causing the seat to remain hot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and running, she heard an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle, as she turned around, she noticed smoke coming out of the vehicle. The contact stated a fire had started underneath the driver seat and she was able to extinguish it with the assistance of emergency units. The contact stated she sustained mild burns on her hands and arms but did not seek medical assistance. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 5000.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .