2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination. Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production. In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result. The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned. This excessive resistance is momentary. A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs. Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment. This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service. The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point. The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion. All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing. The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100. Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.

While driving on the highway our transmission cooling line completely separated at rubber hose to metal line crimp. This cause transmission fluid to burst out all over the vehicle including the windshield and trailer. Vehicle immediately stopped pulling and we barely were able to get to the side of the road. This also caused a catastrophic transmission failure costing approximately $10,000 to repair. GM covered some of the transmission cost but still left us with $5000 bill for a transmission line defect on a vehicle under 100,000 miles. This created a unsafe condition with the trans fluid on the windshield and immediate loss of drive. All maintenance was performed per manufacturers specifications and no warning signs/lights/leaks provided prior to the failure. I do have pictures of the failed transmission cooling line.

NHTSA ID

11765810

Incident

May 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was making a squealing noise. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: 20-NA-020. The dealer was contacted and replaced the brake pads to fix the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.

NHTSA ID

11764984

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

Mileage

12,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the transmission shuddered and hesitated while driving 55 MPH or at higher speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was no longer in business. While driving at various speeds, the lifters were squeaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with lifters failure. The contact decided not to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11764917

Incident

Sep 17, 2024

Mileage

170,000 mi

My vehicle was taken to Legacy Chevrolet of Waxahachie where a routine recall notice was addressed. During the process they technician broke my battery terminal. Upon my discovery the dealership claimed the broken terminal must have just broke on its own during the time it was at their dealership in spite of the ECM module update requiring the technician to specifically remove the battery cable from that specific terminal. Legacy has refused to address this issue and charged me for the new batteries as well as for the tow that was required. The damage was caused by their technician and all of the costs incurred should have been absorbed by the dealership.

NHTSA ID

11764369

Incident

Sep 10, 2026

2 of the 4 Balance weights from Front Axle Propeller Shaft have become detached from their welds. Found on chassis during routine maintenance and visual inspection. Truck was just outside window of recall N202314870, Contacted GM Customer care to confirm no recall work was preformed and vehicle is outside of window of the referenced recall. Vehicle scheduled for evaluation/repair by GM Dealer 9/14/26 approx. 84000miles

NHTSA ID

11763038

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping and shifting hard. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V083000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11760255

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

Mileage

120,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate independently opened. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11759931

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

Mileage

118,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds and towing a trailer, the message "Trailer Brake Disconnected" was displayed with an audible chime. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer, but no fault was found with the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered Service Update Program: N232414840; and associated the failure with the service update. The dealer and the manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the program. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11755940

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Mileage

126,000 mi

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