2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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 2500, 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
- Powertrain (other)2923.0%
- Brakes1814.3%
- Electrical1511.9%
- Engine1411.1%
- Fuel system118.7%
- Tires & wheels107.9%
- Steering97.1%
- Body & structure64.8%
- Driver assistance64.8%
- Interior & seats21.6%
- Exterior lighting21.6%
- Visibility10.8%
- Other / unspecified10.8%
- Suspension10.8%
- Airbags10.8%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado has locked up a couple times on 4/2/26 i immediately drove to the robins chevy dealership, the service writer and i discussed the recall of the transmission, the next day i was sent a estimate of 6800.00 dollars to replace the valve body of the transmission, i asked why am i responsible for the replacement cost due to a known recall of the transmission valve body? i was instructed to call gm directly which i did and no action was taken, i was told to speak to the dealership manager. i need help with this matter.
Pulling out onto road, heard a bang, no forward or backward, unable to move vehicle, brought to repair shop, says output shaft is sheared off, 68000 miles on it, looked on line, apparently common defect, my son in laws friend just had his happen getting off ramp exit, 80000 miles, I’ve read where low as 20000 miles, as well as 59000, 33000 ridiculous crap made in USA…. Please help! No repair as of yet.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I got to my destination and got out of the truck and like a hour later I came back to my truck to get in and my truck was full of smoke and stunk and my center console and center dash melted and gone . Nothing would work . That’s all I know
This vehicle does not recognize that the gear is on park. Due to the issue, it has left me stranded twice. The first time it was at a very remote area up in the mountains. I was stuck for hours due to battery dying. The second time being a very dangerous situation Because it was a very dangerous area late at night.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
2020 3.0 diesel duramax sucked in the antifreeze and caused a hydrolock. The dealer says that it is not covered under warranty since the engine was over 100k miles. They did offer a new engine for $30K which I declined. The truck was always well taken care of and only received the best in all products
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, and DTC: P133X (Cylinder X Glow Plug Failure) was retrieved. The contact was informed that the Glow Plug needed to be replaced and reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred with a different Glow Plug five months later. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determinedthat Glow Plug #3 had failed, and DTC: P0673, P0607, and P133A were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,616.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
On approximately January 24, 2026 my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD equipped with the 6.6 Duramax Diesel displayed an error code (P20B9). This error code was found to be related to the diesel exhaust fluid system specifically relating to "Reductant Heater A Control Circuit/Open." On January 27, 2026, the vehicle was diagnosed at Chevrolet dealership and the following was reported "Diesel Emissions Fluid Tank Remove and Replace - P20B9 SET FOR REDUCTANT HEATER CIRCUIT...COMMANDED ON AND ZERO AMPS..CIRCUITFAILURE... DISCONNECT PUMP MODULE AND BURNED/OVERHEATED TERMINALS..PUMP MODULE AND HARNESS PART OF TANK ASSEMBLY... LABOR TIME ADDED TO PERFORM MALFUNCTION/TAMPER TEST TO CLEAR EMISSIONS MESSAGE...." I found the "burned/overheated terminals" comment to be alarming. I looked into this matter further and found a GM Service Bulletin (21-NA-006) from October 2022. This bulletin identified this issue which contained an image showing burned/overheated terminals. The identified cause within the bulletin states "This condition may be caused by a poor connection at the Emission Reduction Fluid Tank electrical connector." I believe this should upgraded to a safety recall due the the potential of this terminal connection catching fire which could be detrimental for the operator, passengers, property, and the public.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while attempting to remote start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to manually start the vehicle however, the message "Service Emissions System - Speed Limited to 65 MPH" was displayed. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the "Check Engine” and “Speed Limit 65 MPH" messages were displayed. The contact heard an abnormal sound like air coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated there was thick black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact returned to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had used a handheld scanner and became aware that the Reductant Heater circuits 1, 2, and 3 had short-circuited. The contact checked and observed that the wiring harness located under the vehicle near the fuel tank and the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank had melted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: N202300791 - Service Update Diesel Exhaust Fluid System (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tire size 275 65 R20 entire tread came completely off the tire & caused damage to my fender & fender well. This tire had approximately 29,830 miles on it. It was 1 of the original tires from the factory on this truck.
While driving home I noticed a vibration in the steering wheel. Once I got home I looked over the tires because I had one start to come apart a month ago so I was worried another one was doing the same thing, and I was correct. The tire has roughly 12k miles on it
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Intermittent steering catches
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear spoiler is leaking water into the cab causing the headliner and rear seat to get wet when raining outside
Rear window leaking. There is mold inside vehicle.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
This vehicle does not recognize that the gear is on park. Due to the issue, it has left me stranded twice. The first time it was at a very remote area up in the mountains. I was stuck for hours due to battery dying. The second time being a very dangerous situation Because it was a very dangerous area late at night.
I am writing to express my serious concern and frustration regarding the unresolved recall on my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 (VIN: [XXX] ). Despite multiple visits to multiple dealerships, I was repeatedly told that the necessary parts to complete the recall repair were on back order and instructed to “wait for parts.” No interim solution or assistance was ever offered. As a result of this delay, my vehicle broke down without warning, leaving me stranded on the side of the road. This created a hazardous situation and significant disruption to my day. To make matters worse, I had to pay out of pocket to have the truck towed to a repair shop in an effort to get it operational—an expense I should never have incurred given the known recall and repeated attempts to have the issue corrected by Chevrolet. I have been a loyal Chevrolet owner and have always trusted the brand for its quality and dependability. However, this delay and lack of proactive support is causing significant inconvenience and eroding that trust. This situation is unacceptable for several reasons: 1.Safety Risk and Recall Obligation: Chevrolet acknowledged the defect by issuing a recall, yet I have been forced to operate a vehicle that does not meet your own safety standards for months. 2.Repeated Service Attempts with No Resolution: I followed the proper process and visited an authorized dealer multiple times, only to be turned away each time with no solution beyond “wait for parts.” 3.Breakdown and Financial Loss: The vehicle failure and subsequent towing expense are a direct consequence of Chevrolet’s inability to provide timely parts or alternative accommodations. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the tailgate opened unexpectedly and was crushed by an attached trailer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,600.
This manual seat does not have an adjustment for up and down. Short people can not adjust to see over the hood when driving. Their solution is to sit on a cushion. This makes the seatbelt fit wrong and you slide around on the seat. This is a safety hazard with no solution. The “kits” you buy then make the seat a risk to disconnect from the truck.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
This vehicle does not recognize that the gear is on park. Due to the issue, it has left me stranded twice. The first time it was at a very remote area up in the mountains. I was stuck for hours due to battery dying. The second time being a very dangerous situation Because it was a very dangerous area late at night.
I WAS DRIVING IN A SNOW STORM AND THE HEADLIGHTS PACKED IN VERY THICKLY WITH HEAVY WET SLUSHY SNOW AND NO LIGHT WENT THROUGH AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. THE HEADLIGHT LENS AND THE SURROUNDING TRIM FORM A V-SHAPED TROUGH AROUND THE LIGHT THAT DOESN'T ALLOW THE SNOW TO SLIDE OFF FROM WIND AND BUMPS. THE SHAPE ACTUALLY ENCOURAGED SNOW TO ACCUMULATE AND COVER THE ENTIRE LENS AND THE LED LIGHTS RUN SO COOL THEY DON'T CAUSE ANY SNOW TO MELT. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND CLEAN THE HEADLIGHTS MANUALLY TWICE DURING A 26 MILE TRIP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear window frame is leaking during rain or heavy dew. Causing saturated headliner, seats and carpet. Mold could develop and become a health factor. My 2 kids always ride in the back seat. This is a known issue for GM and are not taking action to correct this problem. Vehicle started leaking with 25,000 miles.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I just financing this car and dealer write on dmv price of $57,057 with 63,631 miles that the tell me that was a pre contract on 9/13/24 then they then the bring the truck on 9/15/2025 with 64156 miles at the price of 61,777 on the contract i dont know what to do
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .