2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Brakes Problems

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

My dash has been displaying intermittently “Service electric trailer brakes”. I have recently purchased a 30’ travel trailer. After driving a couple hundred miles with trailer in tow. The code started appearing even with the trailer not connected. I have contacted GM and they have indicated no recall on electric brake controller.

NHTSA ID

11724272

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

Rear wheels locked up while driving/accelerating. Happened 5 times, 4 times while towing a camper once without towing. Luckily no harm or damage came to anyone. Traded in at dealership due to safety concerns after no diagnostics found anything “wrong”. It is already listed for sale, but I don’t think It’s been addressed or fixed.

NHTSA ID

11581033

Incident

Mar 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel briefly became tight before returning to normal functionality. After the failure, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating. The contact also stated that the brake pedal required excessive force to slow and bring the vehicle to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11567641

Incident

Jan 24, 2024

Mileage

74,000 mi

I own a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD pick-up, VIN: [XXX] . I use this truck primarily to haul a heavy horse trailer and to tow a travel trailer. Ever since I bought this truck I have had a problem with the trailering application. At times it will start working (especially if it has not been used in a while??), but every time I am actively using it there is an issue: •The app will totally blank out giving me a black screen, and/or •I will get a message that my trailer brakes are disconnected. I will stop, disconnect and reconnect the brakes, turn off the engine and restart, and so on. Nothing helps. I have had my truck in to the dealer (Bend Chevrolet) three times to have this repaired. Every time I get the reply that there is nothing they can do, that Chevrolet says this is a software issue and that they are working on it. See Bulletin [XXX] Trailering App is Non-Functional, published 11/5/2020. Chevrolet has been aware of this problem for over 3 years and has not come up with a solution? This feels like they are ignoring it. I have searched on-line and see that many Chevrolet Silverado owners have the same problem and are getting no assistance in solving it. For years. This is a safety problem. I haul in mountainous terrain and cannot afford to have issues with my trailering system, especially the brakes. I would like to see the NHTSA issue a recall on this problem and demand that Chevrolet fix it. Please contact me if you need additional information. I would really like to get this fixed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11566273

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

I purchased this vehicle brand new from Lunghamer Chevrolet in Pontiac, MI. I park my truck on a hill every day and as of around a week ago the emergency brake system won't disengage properly. I know it has been engaging since, my gas milage has decreased significantly. Then, a warning light came on the dash, so I took it to Wally Edgar Chevrolet in Lake Orion for diagnosis and they told me that the actuators and wiring harness need to be replaced. They said that there seems to be corrosion on the connector to the harness, and the actuators need to be replaced. Since, my warranty is expired they will not cover the repairs and they quoted me $2,125. I only have 48,428 miles on this vehicle! If the emergency brake is engaged, couldn't it completely stop my vehicle without warning? I drive the highway every day! Isn't this a safety concern? I don't go off road, I don't abuse this truck and I keep it clean as much as possible! Yes, I live in Michigan but, GM has been producing vehicles for quite a long time and I cannot believe they can't keep the wiring connector from corroding. I also went online to see if there were others that have experienced this, and I found one owner of the same model that had to fix it twice! [XXX] . I'm sure I could find more complaints but, I stopped there since I am so disappointed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11559253

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

Numerous times since first taking possession of new vehicle trucks electronic emergency braking system has activated while driving all on its own without warning. several times while on slower side roads and several times while at Interstate speeds, twice coming very close to a head on collision and once coming close to being rear ended while towing a car on a trailer by a semitrailer. The last time there was a message on the drivers information center that stated "service parking brake" The truck has been out of service use to several dealers to diagnose the problem to no avail. I've explained to the dealers its like having a blown tire, you can't predict when it will happen. Its a very dangerous situation. Second the goodyear wrangler tires tend to slide on curves in wet weather. This happens whenever the road is wet and you are on a curve. Both these defects have been reported to the manufacturer as well as servicing dealers. Very dangerous truck.

NHTSA ID

11535265

Incident

Nov 10, 2022

Brakes are grinding and squeaking. Sometimes does not seem like it will stop. Chevrolet dealership says its a wearable part and nothing they can do. Brakes are not supposed to grind and squeal. Brakes have done this since brand new. Contacted Chevrolet about the service bulletin on the web Bulletin 20-NA-020. They state they can't help me and its not covered. It Cleary has all the descriptions and symptoms of their bulletin. I made a formal complaint 9-9864406840. I just wan to be sure if something happens I am not held accountable for a manufacture that has a known issue but choses not to fix or be responsible for using bad parts.

NHTSA ID

11520628

Incident

May 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the electronic parking brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake shoes within the rear drum needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID

11520024

Incident

Oct 2, 2022

Mileage

48,000 mi

My truck continously displays service trailer brake system error on home screen. I have researched the error and found replacing the switch is a simple fix. However in my case this didn't work. I have tried 2 different switches, 1 being GM brand without success. Not sure what else to do. I tow a bumper pull travel trailer and fear this could cause an accident when my family and I are on a vacation.

NHTSA ID

11497507

Incident

Jul 2, 2022

Brake pad material is causing a glaze over on the rotor and cause a high pitch squeak. Had a reacal on the pads and replaced with a different pair that was supposed to be better. Since this has been done 3 days later started doing same thing again . Now it is causing brakes to stick at low speeds and is becoming a safety issue and concern for me and my family riding in our truck.

NHTSA ID

11484666

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

While plowing, my ABS brake light came on along with a warning that the ESC was disabled and a trailer brake system warning.. This appears to have been a recall for 2020 1500's but I have a 2500. It would appear the recall needs to be expanded.

NHTSA ID

11446923

Incident

Jan 10, 2022

The brake pads which were installed from the factory are known by GM as being defective. This was acknowledged when technical bulletin 20-NA-020 was released. The brake pads were know to contain low scorch friction material which can lead to premature wear. When this was discovered, GM began installing new pads which have a high scorch friction material and feature a new lining shim on the backing plate. GM failed to notify their customers of this problem. GM has done this deliberately since once the vehicle reaches over 7,500 miles, the pads are no longer under warranty. I discovered my vehicle was effected from this due to increasingly hearing a high pitch screeching sound coming from the vehicle. After immediately noticing the issue, I scheduled a service appointment and conducted my own research of this issue. This is when I discovered the technical bulletin. Due to my vehicle having over 7,500 miles, I was advised the cost for replacement is my responsibility. The cost for replacement including parts and labor from Chevrolet is approximately $750-$800. This issue is a direct safety concern and a known problem which GM failed to notify their customers of. GM deliberately withheld this information to shift the cost burden of replacement to customers beyond the 7,500 mile warranty period.

NHTSA ID

11442206

Incident

Nov 17, 2021

Front brakes are squealing and don’t seem to stop like they should. Loud squeal starting at 5,000 miles and still continuing.

NHTSA ID

11417370

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEALING REALLY LOUD. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE TRUCK IS CLEAN OR DIRTY THE BRAKES WILL SQUEAL. THEIR IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ON TRUCKS BUILT BEFORE 9/01/2019, BUT SINCE MY TRUCK WAS BUILT ON 9/09/2019 THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED. THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE BRAKES EVEN THOUGH THEY SQUEAL. THE BRAKES SQUEALING CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM AND SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON TRUCKS BUILT AFTER 9/09/2019.

NHTSA ID

11389395

Incident

Jan 22, 2021

Mileage

25,000 mi

FOLLOWING A VEHICLE WITH 4-5 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US DID A PANIC STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WHEN TRYING TO STOP OUR NEW TRUCK AL IT DID WAS SKID WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE ABS ACTIONS. WE WERE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH AT THE TIME OF THE PANIC STOP. TRUCK ONLY HAD 4000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ROADS WERE DRY.

NHTSA ID

11376297

Incident

Apr 12, 2020

Mileage

4,006 mi

VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL ELECTRICAL / COMPUTER PROBLEMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TOO. ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE APPLIES ITSELF AT CERTAIN TIMES. HILL START ASSIST ALSO APPLIES ITSELF AT TIMES BOTH ON LEVEL GROUND. EXCESSIVE PRESSURE NEEDED TO STOP VEHICLE COMING DOWN EXPRESSWAY RAMP WITH DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE ON AND NO TRAILER ATTACHED. BRAKES SMELL HOT AFTER STOPPING. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH ELECTRIC BRAKE PROBLEM & HILL START ASSIST. BRAKE SMELL WAS AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED FROM DRIVING APPROX. 25 MILES. EXCESSIVE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS NEEDED TO STOP VEHICLE ON GRADE WITH DIESEL EXHAUST BRAKE ON. UNKNOWN REASON FOR THESE PROBLEMS. ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE SELF APPLIES WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AFTER PLACING GEAR SHIFT IN PARK. HILL START COMES ON AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, TRUCK IN GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. I HAVE CELL PHONE PHOTOS OF THE PARKING BRAKE ACTING UP BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TRANSFER THEM.

NHTSA ID

11363162

Incident

Apr 23, 2020

Mileage

1,554 mi

AFTER OWNING THE BRAND NEW TRUCK FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS (APPROXIMATELY 170 MILES ON THE ODOMETER OF THE VEHICLE), I WAS DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 50-55MPH. MY FOOT WAS LIGHTLY ON THE ACCELERATOR, MAINTAINING SPEED, AS I HAD JUST PASSED THROUGH A TRAFFIC CIRCLE ABOUT A MILE PRIOR, AND WAS IN A SMALL LINE OF "TRAFFIC" TRAVELLING ON THE ROAD. THE REAR WHEELS BEGAN TO LIGHTLY SHAKE (IT FELT SIMILAR TO DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS) FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-5 SECONDS, THEN SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP AND THE TRUCK VIOLENTLY "JERKED" THEN PULLED AND DRIFTED ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE TRUCK THEN SPUTTERED AND STALLED. I DID NOT ATTEMPT TO RESTART OR MOVE THE VEHICLE, INSTEAD WORKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO OBTAIN A TOW TRUCK.

NHTSA ID

11362314

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

Mileage

171 mi