RoadVitals

2020 GMC Sierra 2500 Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
12
Latest Jun 30, 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.
16%
of 73 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.
1
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 the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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 engine

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

Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the message "Reduced Power" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the turbo actuator and wastegate position sensor A-circuit were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was advised that another diagnostic test was needed. The contact declined to pay for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was taken to a retired GM mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with turbo charger failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11747347
Incident
May 30, 2025
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2025

Catastrophic engine failure after taking it in for the April 2025 recall. Complete engine replacement needed

NHTSA ID
11703546
Incident
Nov 26, 2025
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2025

The catalytic converter failed at 93,000 miles, and 64 months. GM says it is out of warranty.

NHTSA ID
11687414
Incident
Jun 11, 2025
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the recall repair, the transmission started shifting hard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the transmission module would reprogram and adjust independently. The contact stated that a week later, while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle started to run rough, and the message engine power reduced was displayed. The transmission fault, parking brake system alert, service parking brake, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel injector was open, causing high resistance in the connector for cylinder #4. The transmission could not be diagnosed until the injector was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID
11655399
Incident
Apr 7, 2025
Mileage
125,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the transmission jerked. The contact stated that the transmission was skipping gear while shifting. The check engine warning light turned on and off. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11635928
Incident
Jan 7, 2025
Mileage
114,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 29, 2023

Low coolant light keeps coming on and dealership checks and confirms coolant is not low. The end result is the sensor In the resivor is bad and requires the entire tank to be replaced rather than just the sensor

NHTSA ID
11541548
Incident
Aug 22, 2023
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2023

Check engine came on Sunday morning the code that through was P0 526 u062F. After calling the dealer and setting maintenance to be done one day later, the truck broke down while driving on the side of the road. The dealer is saying that the belt came off and the tensioner locked up doing damage to the fan clutch and connector. The case, because the code that ran is saying that the belt wasn’t going the speed that it was supposed to because the tensioner failed. The vehicle only has 55,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID
11511745
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
Engine
Filed Jun 2, 2022

I took my vehicle into the local dealership two weeks ago for the DPF emissions voluntary recall. Prior to the service I was getting 16.6 mpg for the 42000 miles on my truck. After the service, for the ~200 miles driven on same route and conditions commuting to and from work I have only been able to achieve ~13 mpg. There has been no other changes to my vehicle or operating conditions. When I took the vehicle in the advisor mentioned that it may take awhile for the service because “we have to download the update wirelessly.” While researching this issue the recall document specifically warns against wireless download of the update. I am not sure if this may be the result of not following the correct process or not and I am headed back to the dealer today. I also found several others posting on the diesel forums about similar significant loss of mpg after the update. Losing almost 25% fuel efficiency after the update is unacceptable and reflects the my previous experience of efficiency loss during an actual regeneration cycle prior to the update. The vehicle is acting as if it is running in a constant regeneration cycle. Unsure if this may lead to dangerous driving condition due to excessive stress and wear on the affected parts and engine.

NHTSA ID
11467081
Incident
May 25, 2022
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 20, 2022

DEF system failed. Wire harness burned out. Tank failure. Truck went into limp mode. I personally know 3 others with the same issue.

NHTSA ID
11457481
Incident
Jan 31, 2022
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 23, 2022

Truck has had multiple issues related to the electrical system and truck modules. It is my opinion that these are all related to voltage issues or module problems. i have had multiple infotainment issues with delays loading, freezing up etc. dealer has ran updates and checks with nothing found. In October around $35k miles the truck Radio would not work if i used the push button start. if i shut the truck off opened the door and let everything reset i could push the start button in the truck and the radio would work majority of the time. The next day i went out to a completely dead truck. I talked to my service department at the local dealer and they said i would need to bring it in but suggested i disconnect the batteries and recharge the batteries. after doing so everything started working correctly. it fixed my radio problem and never went dead again. since then i have experienced popping noises through the speakers when playing music occasionally. over the last few weeks i noticed the engine does not attempt to increase cold idle speed until i press the brake to put it in gear. January 22nd i hit the autostart button and it did not work. i started the truck and it had CEL, Traction control, park brake and wrench, lights on with service emissions, and power reduced messages displayed. Truck is running odd. codes present are (ENGINE GMLAN)P0118 - engine coolant temp circuit high voltage, (BRAKES GMLAN_ABS) U0401- invalid data from engine control module, P0562- system voltage low, (HVAC CONTROLS GMLAN_HVAC) B1325 - . control module power circuit. Truck is starting and charging fine. No connection issues at batteries. There are many TSB's and many complaints regarding similar issues. common brake and emissions faults with minor differences. Module failures, communication faults, and or electrical faults are likely causing all of these similar issues. they need to be categorized as the same failure group which will show GM has a bigger issue.

NHTSA ID
11448544
Incident
Jan 22, 2022
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 2, 2020

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT. I HAD NO TAIL LIGHTS AND THE RADIO STARTED SAYING NO SIGNAL DETECTED. THE DASH SCREEN WAS SAYING SERVICE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. AND I HAD NO RUNNING LIGHTS BUT MY HEADLIGHTS. PRETTY SCARY THINKING NO ONE COULD SEE ME AS THEY WERE DRIVING BEHIND ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 200 MILES ON IT SO THIS IS REALLY SCARY TO BE HAVING ISSUES SO EARLY IN THE OWNERSHIP OF THIS TRUCK. I'VE ALWAYS HAD FORDS BUT THIS TRUCK CAUGHT MY EYE AND I STEPPED OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND NOW WISHING I WOULD HAVE STAYED IN IN.

NHTSA ID
11362480
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
212 mi
Engine
Filed May 20, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED SMOKE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH HIS PASSENGER, UPON OPENING THE HOOD NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED BUT WAS UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AS THEY ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BURN UNTIL THE FIRE SELF EXTINGUISHED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,800. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11325262
Incident
May 18, 2020
Mileage
2,800 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

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .