2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Brakes Problems

The contact’s mother-in-law owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was starting the vehicle, the brake, service engine, and engine warning lights illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING) and PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The owner was scheduled to meet with the dealer to discuss the issue. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no open recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA ID

11751171

Incident

Jul 12, 2026

Mileage

45,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the vehicle previously experienced brake failure, sensor failure, and glow plug failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The BBB referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11734531

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

Mileage

80,000 mi

The brakes suddenly activate and cause the vehicle to rapidly stop with no warning of any kind and without any braking action being taken by the driver. Then, the brakes do not release and the vehicle cannot be moved as the brakes remain on. Turning the engine off and then restarting it or shifting to other gears does not release the brakes. The vehicle remains immobile and cannot be driven. After a few hours have passed, like overnight, the brakes release and the vehicle can started and driven just as if nothing had happened. A message briefly appears on the vehicle information screen each time this inadvertent braking occurs. It reads, “Brake Failure System”. These brake lockdowns occurred when driving on streets and in the driveway. No accident resulted but could have easily occurred. This is dangerous for a driver and occupants of a vehicle with this safety flaw as well as for other people and vehicles in the vicinity. This has happened five times. The last two instances resulted in the vehicle being loaded onto a tow truck and taken to a dealer of the vehicle’s manufacture. Thus far the dealership has not found what may be causing this intermittent braking problem.

NHTSA ID

11719518

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the check engine warning light and the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that all the engine lifters and the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: EA25007 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer offered to partially cover the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 107,787.

NHTSA ID

11701487

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

Mileage

107,787 mi

First my torque converter went out, no warning lights only shaking wehn shifting, I got it replaced already it cost me $2400 Second Warning light service for Brakes, Traction and power steering come on and off. And sometimes truck doesn't brake well and steering wheel feels hard to drive, it has happened while on expressway with family. Third Engine oil low Add oil warning sign comes up alot and I have to add oil, engine has a rough idle now, also when I turn truck on smoke comes out while having a rough idle, recently it started knocking, I haven't moved the truck since than

NHTSA ID

11699612

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

On Monday, [XXX], at about 1730 hours was traveling Southbound at 45mph on [XXX] approaching the [XXX] intersection. Vehicle alerted to the following codes on the dash; ESCAPE, Traction Control, Check Engine Light, Brake System Failure, "Do not exceed 62 MPH". I took foot off accelerator and looked up and noticed the traffic light turning red. I applied pressure to the brake and noticed there was no brake pressure at all, and the vehicle continued to roll forward towards the intersection. I put the truck in low gear to slow and continued to pump the brake rapidly. As the truck gradually slowed I turned truck off until it came to a stop. When I restarted the truck the brake hydraulic pressure returned and only the check engine light remained on. I took the truck to Reliable GMC in the Roseville Automall the next morning. The service department claimed the AGM Battery was bad and caused the front brake caliper sensor to throw a low voltage code causing a cascade event of codes throughout the system. The loss of my brakes nearly caused me to enter an intersection unwillingly and could have led to a serious accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11690818

Incident

Sep 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH and hauling a trailer in stop-and-go traffic, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle started losing power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The parking brake was engaging and disengaging independently. After turning off the vehicle and waiting for approximately 15-20 minutes, the vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove to the nearest independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, it was determined that the repair had not resolved the failure. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle's cylinder #4 failure. The mechanic was in the process of determining whether the lifter or camshaft had failed. The mechanic determined that the engine might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ID

11690794

Incident

Sep 27, 2025

Mileage

93,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was started, the check engine, brake system, and another unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the messages brake system failure, steering wheel failure, low oil, and two other unknown messages were displayed. The contact also stated that the rear-view camera remained displayed while shifted into drive, and the instrument panel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11685227

Incident

Sep 15, 2024

Mileage

65,000 mi

Was driving down the freeway around 65 miles an hour attempted to pass a truck when the steering started wobbling the ABS that EMS and the breaking system came on with the check engine light almost had no control and barely avoided having an accident the only way it went back to normal was slowing down.

NHTSA ID

11682879

Incident

Aug 23, 2025

My vehicle displayed numerous brake failure codes and limited my speed to 43mph. When taken into my local GMC dealer the diagnostics I was given were a bad/leaking master cylinder. This vehicle has 16,200 miles on it and was never used for towing or hauling. The brakes are hard and brake assist has clearly failed. I’ve found numerous recalls and issues with other year vehicles from GMC, yet they are denying any liability on my vehicle. They want over $3000 to replace the master cylinder even though there’s no physical leak observed via fluid loss. This is a major safety concern when a major brake component fails on such a low mileage vehicle. This truck also has a well known seal leak on the rear window that causes mold to grow inside of the vehicle cabin. Apparently no one has died yet so they have not been forced to put out a recall. Consumers should not be forced to spend thousands of dollars on major components on such low mileage vehicles. Especially when it comes to safety items like braking. I’ve researched this for hours and have found this has been a known issue on these 2020 models many people. Some even brand new after driving them off the dealership lot. Clearly there is an issue and the manufacturer refuses to address it.

NHTSA ID

11681985

Incident

Jul 31, 2025

I will start by saying that I have had this issue since I had the truck (2020), less than 10k miles. I mentioned to the dealer multiple times. I was told that they can't figure it out since it has to be doing it while it is at the dealership to figure it out. I am finally fed up with that answer. The issue is with trailering. It will randomly lose trailer brakes while driving down the road. Sometimes the brakes will come back right away, sometimes they will not. Other times other lights that should be working will randomly stop working as well such as turn signals. This has happened multiple times and I only tow a few times a year when I pull my travel trailer. I have a video of it doing it as I am driving down the road. For the additional details with approximate date that this incident occurred, I will put the last date that this was found.

NHTSA ID

11669873

Incident

Jun 27, 2025

I was driving my 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 on a local street when the dashboard suddenly displayed a “Brake Failure” warning. I immediately realized I had no braking power and had to safely roll into an uphill parking space to stop the vehicle. While waiting for the tow truck, I researched the issue and discovered there is a known recall related to the brake calipers on some 2020 Sierra 1500 models. However, when I entered my VIN, it showed no open recalls. I also contacted GMC directly, and they confirmed that there are no active recalls associated with my vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle's onboard information system indicated that the front brakes were at 65% and the rear brakes at 80%, suggesting that brake wear was not a contributing factor.

NHTSA ID

11666326

Incident

Jun 11, 2025

I was driving about 45 mph when the vehicle started to brake on its own. Message center said "Brake Failure max speed 62 mph". I had to move the vehicle, so I continued forward. It was still trying to self-brake, i decided to stop and turn ignition off so computers could re-set but I had no brakes. I had to stand on brake pedal to get it stopped. Turned ignition off and restarted. The problem was gone, but it happened again 2 weeks later. Took to dealership where purchased and they said it needed a computed recalibration. Something I didn't know about. They charged me $200 to recalibrate the computer. My issue is the danger of not having brakes, not the $200. How many similar vehicles could this happen to?

NHTSA ID

11661225

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

Brake monitor repair keeps illuminating since 2/1/2025! Replaced all brakes and rotors, yesterday 4/27/2025. now don't drive over 43 mph illuminates, emergency brake illuminates says push brake peddle to disengage parking brake yet parking brake has never been engaged

NHTSA ID

11657140

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to properly respond. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, the message ESC was displayed. The contact stated that the brakes, steering, and a message to check the trailer brakes was also displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the brake pedal was depressed several times however, the brakes failed to respond, and the vehicle was difficult to control. The vehicle was towed by AAA and then towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The contact stated that the brakes were inoperable, and the control center was destabilized. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11656277

Incident

Apr 23, 2025

Mileage

125,000 mi

recently when starting truck brake message alert comes across on dash reading brake error, and not to drive above 45 miles per hour and brakes are NOT totally operational, meaning brake pedal has alot of play in it to bring truck to a stop. Have to turn off vehicle , sometimes repeatedly before it apparently resets computer system. This has now occurred four times in last five months. Events and dash warning message very similar to recall issued 3/3/20, but listed as "complete" on recall data base. Need to seriously and immediately looked into and corrected!

NHTSA ID

11652117

Incident

Mar 19, 2025

Dear NHTSA, I am filing a complaint against General Motors, LLC (GM) for failing to follow through on a legally binding lemon law settlement and leaving me with an inoperable, unsafe vehicle. Vehicle Information: •Vehicle: 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 •VIN: [XXX] •Date of Purchase: [XXX] •Dealership: Diamond Chevrolet Buick GMC Nature of the Complaint: 1.Vehicle Declared a Lemon: •GM acknowledged that my vehicle was defective and offered a CCP § 998 settlement on April 18, 2024, for $97,000 plus pre-judgment interest. •Despite accepting the offer, GM has failed to facilitate the buyback or repurchase of the vehicle. 2.Ongoing Safety Hazard: •The vehicle is non-operational and poses a safety hazard due to repeated transmission failures, loss of engine power, steering/braking issues, and limp mode activation. •GM’s delay in replacing the vehicle leaves me exposed to ongoing safety concerns. Request for Action: I request that the NHTSA: •Investigate GM’s failure to address and rectify the vehicle’s safety issues. •Document GM’s negligence in resolving safety defects under a recognized Lemon Law claim. •Initiate necessary action to protect consumers from ongoing safety hazards caused by GM’s failure to act. Please contact me for additional information or supporting documentation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11651440

Incident

Oct 6, 2020

-Transmission valve body Failure, Wheel lock up, ABS Event, Loud Bang and a Flashing "D" on Driver Information Center (DIC) when Lightly or Moderately Accelerating Forcing an 8-7 or 8-6 Downshift -When all four tires lock up at a high rate of speed, this puts the driver, the passengers, and all others on the road at risk for injury or death. -Yes, the problem has been found in a document by my local dealer that this issue was added to my exact vehicle's service manual on 11/27/24. The document describes in detail the exact scenario I have been involved in multiple times. It is deemed as #21-NA-275. It locks up the tires randomly to the vehicle in mid acceleration at any speed including 80 miles per hour in one instance for me. -Yes, the dealership inspected it and found the issue to correlate with the newly added section to the service manual, 13333166. This document ID is 5925530 and the added information to the dealership is #21-NA-275. The GMC manufacturer has been contacted as of 3PM MST 3/14/25. Insurance doesn't deal with mechanical problems. The police will only be involved when there is death or injury. -No. The only warning that happens is simultaneously as the vehicle locks up the tires causing the driver (me) to inevitably try to save myself and others, swerving and trying to focus on not hurting myself or others but I did notice the "D" flash on one of these occasions. This is the most dangerous issue with a vehicle I have ever even considered. At any time, for any reason, all four tires can lock up at any rate of speed and cause multiple casualties. The way to fix this is to spend $3,000 which I am sure many people like myself do not have. This means there are thousands of these exact make and models of vehicles on the road right now. Please do not take this lightly as I have almost crashed multiple times with people in my vehicle due to no fault of my own.

NHTSA ID

11648413

Incident

Feb 22, 2025

Vehicle shifting poorly, and I have had a bunch of brake and rotor issues.

NHTSA ID

11647175

Incident

Feb 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake was independently activated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle had an oil leak from the oil pan. The contact stated that the oil needed to be added every two days. The contact stated that the alert system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated, because no active codes were retrieved. In addition, the contact stated that the frame had corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for corrosion failure, however, the contact stated that the previous dealer had failed to help. The dealer confirmed the corrosion; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11646779

Incident

Mar 6, 2020

Mileage

10,000 mi

My pickup was specifically purchased to pull a duel axle trailer ( brakes required by Fl. Law). The trailer weights more than the pick up. They stopped working with the electric /hydrolic Trailer brake system. I have had the Sierra in three times for Warren Ty repair. They never fixed the system. I have thoroughly test the trailer system - it works fine with another pickup. Dealer won’t return my calls. Multiple trips taking it in for this problem. Have a case filed with GM. All just placating me, now ignoring my problem. I am stuck and they are not acting in good faith.

NHTSA ID

11629954

Incident

Nov 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced, and the failure was remedied. On another occasion, the contact stated that the brake percentage was low on the instrument panel and that the lights were becoming dim. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the brakes were replaced; however, the computer failed to detect the repair; and the message "1 More Mile Left to Drive" was displayed. The contact also stated that two weeks later while driving 45 MPH, the brake pedal failed to respond and felt abnormally loose. The vehicle was driven over a concrete sidewalk to stop the vehicle. There was no crash, and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11617607

Incident

Jul 23, 2024

Mileage

102,000 mi

My truck 2020 gmc sierra 1500 AT4 denali is not working properly since July 2024. I took it to 2 different dealership to get a diagnostic and i finally ended doing the repairs for brake issues. I have been towed 6 or more times and almost experienced 2 car accidents since I drive the truck after the supposedly repairs where done but i ended stranded again with no brakes. The dealership has repair the truck 3 times but im still getting sevaral codes the fact that i had to pay out of pocket and have to deal with this and expose myself to danger and my family in driving a vehicle that is no safety condition its absurd. I call several times the recall GM hotline and i was told GMC 1500 are included in the recalls just not the AT4 and i have a family member with the same truck and same issues she ended up trading in the truck recently since she kept experiencing the same issues over and over again just like me.

NHTSA ID

11615818

Incident

Jul 23, 2024

My brakes failed 2 times. One time I almost got into a horrible wreck with my daughter in the truck. "Brake system failure" " max speed 43mph" I have not had any brake work or anything done. The dealer is trying to charge me to replace the whole brake system when [XXX] this says to reprogram. Still waiting on gmc to tell me if it's covered under warranty. From my own research this has been a major problem for hundreds of people if not more. I could have died because of a faulty brake system or a bad software update. I need help with this and so do the countless other 2020 gm owners. There is a recall on the 2019 for the exact problem but not the 2020s. GM safety recall N192268090 please advise INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11611486

Incident

Aug 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was stuck in gear. While driving there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle failed to start on several occasions. There were sparks from the passenger's side front seat. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with electrical, transmission module, wiring harness, air alternator cooler, and exhaust system failures. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a failure with the vault meter. The OnStar system provided an error with the antilock braking system. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

NHTSA ID

11590544

Incident

Dec 30, 2022

Mileage

44,000 mi