RoadVitals

2020 GMC Sierra Denali

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
11
+2 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 GMC Sierra Denali, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and driver assistance categories. 356 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine758.3%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Driver assistance216.7%
  • Electrical18.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistance
Filed Sep 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving with Adaptive Cruise Control set to 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal to disengage the Adaptive Cruise Control settings, preventing the vehicle from crashing into the vehicle ahead. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the Adaptive Cruise Control was engaged. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ID
11764047
Incident
Sep 14, 2026
Mileage
99,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2026

The contact owned a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The dealer advised the contact to purchase a new vehicle because the engine would eventually need to be replaced. The contact stated that at approximately 3,000 miles, there was an abnormal odor oil burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil and approximately 5 quarts needed to be added between scheduled oil changes. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ID
11763621
Incident
Jul 11, 2022
Mileage
25,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted about the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,500.

NHTSA ID
11744588
Incident
May 1, 2025
Mileage
98,500 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was later informed that the engine had seized due to engine bearing failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a new engine. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and linked the recall to the failure. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and the recall, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11700178
Incident
Nov 10, 2025
Mileage
190,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the Adaptive Cruise Control feature became inoperable. The contact stated that when the vehicle got too close to another vehicle, the Adaptive Cruise Control feature failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,700. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11554317
Incident
Oct 10, 2022
Mileage
6,700 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH at night, the vehicle stalled and the “Shift to Neutral and Restart Vehicle” message was displayed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and was unable to visibly see the roadway. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence, and then to the local dealer the next day, where the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the starter to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11519126
Incident
Apr 8, 2023
Engine
Filed Nov 23, 2021

The contact's father owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali 3500. The contact stated that while his father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a cylinder #1 misfire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Wackerli Auto Center (1363 N Holmes Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83401) on numerous occasions and diagnosed with a faulty sensor. The dealer replaced the sensor; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11441449
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
Mileage
20,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 7, 2021

BRAKES SQUEAK. STARTED ABOUT 3000 MILES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11406920
Incident
Aug 15, 2020
Mileage
3,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIT6425D

This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Sierra Denali by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020Viewing110042.1
2019260031.0
2018170040.1
2017140045.0
2016300036.8
2015220140.5
2014140131.8
2013800—
2012100026.9
2011280029.4
2010100027.8
2009700—
2008180031.9
2007100—
2006510—
2005420—
2004111037.6
2003000—
2002131039.8

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.