Car Yearsto Avoid

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

How common are engine problems on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?

254 owners have reported engine problems on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 53% of all complaints for this year and the most reported problem area. Most reported problems happened at about 33,000–99,000 miles. No recall covers this problem.

254 complaints 53% of all 2020 complaints 65,000 miles typical

Which parts fail

The specific part named in each complaint.

Urea injection system (DEF) 2
Emission control 1
Exhaust system 1
Crank / camshaft position sensor 1

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (54 of 254). The amber line is the middle value.

When problems were reported

Engine complaints by the year the problem happened.

Engine complaints by Sierra 1500 year

2008 Sierra 1500 20
2009 Sierra 1500 17
2010 Sierra 1500 15
2011 Sierra 1500 18
2012 Sierra 1500 7
2013 Sierra 1500 8
2014 Sierra 1500 72
2015 Sierra 1500 85
2016 Sierra 1500 41
2017 Sierra 1500 59
2018 Sierra 1500 72
2020 Sierra 1500 254
2025 Sierra 1500 57
2026 Sierra 1500 96

Related recalls

No recall covers engine problems on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. See all 12 recalls for this year.

Get an email when your 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Common questions

What are common 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems?

Complaints most often name the urea injection system (DEF), emission control and exhaust system.

At what mileage do 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems happen?

Most complaints that gave a mileage fell between about 33,000–99,000 miles. The middle value is about 65,000 miles.

Is there a recall for 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 engine problems?

NHTSA lists no recall for this problem on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. If you have the problem, file a complaint at nhtsa.gov so it is counted.

Which Sierra 1500 year has the most engine complaints?

The 2021 Sierra 1500, with 361 complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports.