RoadVitals

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Mar 23, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 443 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 23, 2026

The frame of the back window is cracking allowing water to come in through the back glass. This is causing the headliner and other components such as air bags and other electrical components to get wet and damaged. This could cause risk of fire or failure of safety components within the vehicle such as air bags, cameras and other sensors. With water intrusion comes the high risk for mold to develop and cause serious health risks. GMC is aware of this issue and will not agree to repair it. A GMC dealer has inspected the glass and said it was a faulty seal but since it's not in the 3 year warranty window, it's not covered. Independent auto glass companies state they have seen this issue many times and the glass seal is faulty. GMC should do the right thing and fix this issue. This devalues the vehicle and the GMC brand and poses serious risks to driver. I have created a case with GMC and submitted photos, videos and dealership estimates for proof.

NHTSA ID
11726576
Incident
Nov 30, 2025
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jan 23, 2026

Back window leaks down onto electrical compents and causes mold behind rear seat, plus staining mold on headliner

NHTSA ID
11712976
Incident
Mar 11, 2025
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 13, 2025

The morning of December 12th, 2025 I used my vehicle to transport my daughter approximately 5 miles round trip from our home to drop her off at daycare and then I returned home. I used my front and rear defrost elements to expedite removal of heavy condensation which had formed on all windows overnight. This was approximately 7 AM. I parked my truck in the driveway and went inside until approximately 11:45 AM when I went to leave in my truck and noticed the rear sliding window had shattered. The window shattered and distributed tempered glass fragments all over the inside of the cab. Only approximately 10% of the window remained intact. I then reviewed the security camera footage from my driveway and discovered that the window failed entirely on its own with nothing hitting/striking/touching the window, nor any humans or animals in the vicinity. I attempted to take the vehicle to a GMC service department this morning (Dec 13) but due to their demand to keep the vehicle for 2-3 days to investigate yet unable to provide a loaner vehicle, I was unable to leave the vehicle in their possession and returned home. I plan to continue to contact GMC dealership service departments in hope I can find one which can provide a loaner vehicle, as I will need transportation to and from work in the coming days. I do have video footage of the incident although I am unable to add it below.

NHTSA ID
11704848
Incident
Dec 12, 2025
Visibility
Filed Jun 18, 2025

The rear back glass is leaking water excessively in to the inside of the vehicle when it rains or gets washed. The vehicle is available at any time for inspection. The amount of condensation that accumulates on all the interior windows makes it impossible to see out of the vehicle. The defrost can not handle the amount of moisture build up. The Dealer knows about this condition and it has been verified by a window company. The manufacture knows and understands there is a problem and has put out a Technical Service Bulletin ( TSB 18‑NA‑383 ) for this issue but will not cover the repairs. GM knows that every single vehicle with this window designs from 2019-20121 will leak just outside the 3 year 36k mile warranty coverage. The cost of repair is approximately $2k. Dealer will not cover repair.

NHTSA ID
11667795
Incident
Jan 26, 2024
Driver assistanceElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 5, 2024

Back window frame crack led to water intrusion which flooded electric module controlling speedometer and adaptive settings. Extremely unsafe driving with faulty electrical components unknown to me. Insurance and Dealership told me this is a common GMC occurrence. Cost is near $10,000 to make truck drivable.

NHTSA ID
11575575
Incident
Mar 4, 2024
Visibility
Filed Feb 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while detailing the rear interior of the vehicle, the contact discovered water surrounding the rear windshield casing and the water was leaking into the rear seating. Additionally, the rear carpet was soiled with water. The contact used towels while attempting to soak up the water. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the failed rear windshield glass fasteners. The contact was informed that the failure had damaged the rear carpet, padding, and the rear seat. In addition, the contact was informed that the carpet and padding needed to be replaced due to mold build up. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty coverage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

NHTSA ID
11571977
Incident
Sep 18, 2023
Mileage
31,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 19, 2023

The rear window was leaking a substantial amount of water soaking the back seat. Had the service bulletin done, which did not work. Then under further inspection found cracks in the rear power window track. Dealer told me GM would not cover replacement because it was out of the 3 year warranty. Then was told it would cost me 1200 dollars to replace. GM should cover this because it will lead to black mold.

NHTSA ID
11560834
Incident
Dec 12, 2023
Visibility
Filed Sep 24, 2023

The rear window on this vehicle is leaking water and has been for some time. It has become quite bad and is causing an odor and discoloration in the carpet. I could not find the cause of the problem until recently with the plastic cracking more. The vehicle has 41,000 miles and the dealer stated that is out of warranty and all repairs would be a cost to me. I researched this and have found it is a common fault this this vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11546253
Incident
Oct 24, 2022
Visibility
Filed Apr 2, 2023

My rear window leaks there is a bulletin on it Call GM says it is not responsible for the repair because it is over on the years but not the mileage it’s clear they know about the problem it’s in many pickups that gm manufacture here is the bulletin file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/97/07/3010617D-BBB0-4FB8-859B-4BA5E2BE3F3A/Ed%20blakeslees%20truck.png

NHTSA ID
11515021
Incident
Jan 3, 2023
Visibility
Filed Apr 2, 2023

My back window leaks and gm has said that the warranty is over by years not miles it is not covered

NHTSA ID
11515020
Incident
Jan 2, 2023
ElectricalSteeringVisibility
Filed Mar 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving in the snow, the tire pressure and power steering warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that there were no recall or warranties that would cover the repairs for the warning lights. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11455697
Incident
Feb 26, 2021
Mileage
140,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 15, 2021

WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, I HEARD A "POP" SOUND, I SAW NOTHING CONTACT THE VEHICLE, BUT I THEN NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON..

NHTSA ID
11396371
Incident
Feb 15, 2021
Mileage
27,540 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 2021

WIPERS FROZE TO WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING WITH DEFROSTER ON MAX. DESIGN OF THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH MEANS WIPERS SIT LOWER THAN WHERE THE DASH AND WINDSHIELD MEET, AND NO WARM AIR FROM THE DEFROSTER CAN GET TO THE WINDSHIELD WHERE THE WIPERS SIT. THERE IS NO IN WINDOW DEFROSTER (LIKE REAR WINDOW) WHICH CAN HELP. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN SNOW/ICE CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
11390959
Incident
Jan 31, 2021
Mileage
5,400 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 30, 2020

BACK UP CAMERA IS AWFUL AT NIGHT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT SEE ANYTHING WHEN BACKING UP. MY TRUCK HAS 323 MILES ON IT AND I WENT TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A SAFETY FEATURE THAT IS FAULTY.

NHTSA ID
11362024
Incident
Sep 30, 2020
Mileage
323 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .