2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems
What owners have reported about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 741 complaints with NHTSA, the 7th most of 19 Silverado 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and electrical system.
741 complaints 12 recalls, 3 fire risk 7th worst of 19 Silverado 1500 years
Top 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Engine problems
270 complaints (36%) name the engine, most often the emission control and urea injection system (DEF).
Transmission problems
231 complaints (31%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and torque converter.
Electrical problems
114 complaints (15%) name the electrical system, most often the speedometer / odometer and wiring harness.
Brake problems
113 complaints (15%) name the brakes, most often the master cylinder.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (203 of 741). The amber line is the middle value, about 31,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Transmission valve can lock rear wheels
Crash riskThe transmission control valve may fail, causing the rear wheels to lock up while driving. Sudden rear wheel lock-up raises the risk of losing control and crashing.
Fix: The dealer will inspect your vehicle and update the transmission control software at no cost to you.
Recall 26V083000 · Feb 2026Valves / valve body, Software
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up. Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve.
Recall 24V797000 · Oct 2024Incompatible spare tire can disable ABS
Crash riskThe 17-inch spare tire that came with the vehicle does not match the accessory wheels, and under certain conditions this can stop the anti-lock brake system from working properly. A malfunctioning ABS raises the risk of a crash.
Fix: The dealer will replace the spare with a compatible 17-inch spare tire and wheel assembly, add a new spare tire label, and give you a manual insert on which spare to use, all free of charge.
Recall 21V985000 · Dec 2021Tires
The affected tires were cured for too long during production. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.
Recall 21V115000 · Feb 2021Front center seat belt may not restrain
Injury riskThe seat belt bracket for the front center seat may not be bolted securely to the seat frame. In a crash, the belt may fail to hold a passenger in that seat properly, raising the risk of injury.
Fix: The dealer will inspect both sides of the front center seat belt bracket attachments and reassemble them correctly if needed, free of charge.
Recall 20V792000 · Dec 2020Overcured tires may fail suddenly
Crash riskSome tires were made with a curing error, so the sidewall can break or the tread and belts can separate. A sudden air loss or tread loss makes a crash more likely.
Fix: The dealer will inspect your vehicle and replace any affected tires free of charge if they match the DOT and mold number combinations Continental identified.
Recall 20V684000 · Nov 2020Driveshaft
One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving. If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2020.
Recall 20V650000 · Oct 2020Roof-rail air bag may not deploy properly
Injury riskA part inside the roof-rail air bag inflator may not be securely attached, so it could separate during deployment. If that happens, the air bag may not protect occupants as designed, raising the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suspect roof-rail air bag modules free of charge.
Recall 20V446000 · Jul 2020Brake caliper bolts may break under load
Crash riskThe bolts that hold the front and/or rear brake calipers in place may not have been heat treated, so they can break under load. If a bolt breaks, braking can weaken or the wheel can rub, which raises the risk of a crash.
Fix: A dealer will replace the brake caliper bolts at no cost to you.
Recall 20V116000 · Feb 2020Cables
Fire riskThe battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator. An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. The intermittent connection could also lead to electrical arcing, which could generate sufficient heat to damage surrounding material, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for the presence of glue or other contamination at the B+ cable attachment to the alternator and clean the connection and reattach the B+ cable connection, as necessary. If arcing has damaged the cable, nut, or alternator, the dealer will replace the damaged components.
Recall 19V888000 · Dec 2019Fuel pump may leak and cause fire
Fire riskSome fuel pumps may be missing a pressure regulator, so pressure in the fuel system can build too high. This can crack the pump and cause fuel leaks, which raises the risk of a fire if a source of ignition is present.
Fix: The dealer will replace the fuel pump free of charge.
Recall 19V837000 · Nov 2019Seat belt pretensioner can ignite carpet
Fire riskWhen the front seat belt pretensioners fire in a crash, hot gas can escape through an opening in the bracket and may ignite the carpet. This could start a vehicle fire inside the car.
Fix: The dealer will seal the opening in the pretensioner bracket at no cost to you.
Recall 19V814000 · Nov 2019Get an email when your 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets a new recall
We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.
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Silverado 1500 years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a reliable year?
It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 741 complaints with NHTSA, the 7th most of 19 Silverado 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the engine, transmission and electrical system.
What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
Owners most often report problems with the engine, transmission, electrical system and brakes. 270 complaints (36%) name the engine, most often the emission control and urea injection system (DEF).
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 11,000–88,000 miles, with a middle value near 68,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
12. Transmission valve can lock rear wheels (26V083000); Valves / valve body, Software (24V797000); Incompatible spare tire can disable ABS (21V985000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Ask for service records covering the engine, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2026 and 2012 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.