2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 carries a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst out of 21 model years, with 730 complaints, 12 recalls, and an Avoid verdict. Engine (38%) and Transmission & Powertrain (31%) are the top reported problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Silverado 1500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 730
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine281 (38%)
- Transmission & Powertrain225 (31%)
- Brakes119 (16%)
- Electrical System118 (16%)
- Other77 (11%)
- Steering74 (10%)
- Fuel System39 (5%)
- Structure & Body34 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires34 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during crashes, including rollovers and collisions at highway speed, despite warning lights or malfunction indicators activating.
- Brake pedals reportedly went to the floor with no stopping power, sometimes preceded by ABS or brake system warning lights.
- Backup camera image quality was described as poor in low light or rain, making the display hard to read.
- Seat heaters stayed on and would not disengage even after being turned off, in one case linked to a fire.
- Service brake failures were reported at low speeds, with some drivers unable to stop before hitting objects or other vehicles.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V083000Feb 12, 2026Transmission & Powertrain1,055 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.
- NHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
- NHTSA 21V985000Dec 16, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires626 vehicles
Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
Risk: An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide a new 17" spare tire and wheel assembly that is compatible with the accessory wheels, free of charge. Dealers will also apply a new spare tire information label, and provide owners with an owner's manual insert clarifying which spare tire to use with the accessory road tires and with the 17" original tires. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212346510.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 model a complaint index of 80, the 5th worst of 21 model years for this truck, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Silverado 1500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Silverado 1500?
- Engine complaints make up 38% of reports and Transmission & Powertrain 31%, followed by Brakes at 16% and Electrical System at 16%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2020 Silverado 1500 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2020 Silverado 1500, covering transmission control software, driveshaft welds, airbag modules, seat belts, and tires, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 24,577.5 miles, though brake and electrical complaints were reported at much lower median mileages of 5,100 and 5,072 miles.
- How does the 2020 Silverado 1500 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 80, the 2020 model ranks worse than years like 2012, 2013, and 2025 (all rated Best) but is not as high as the 2014 model year, which has the highest index of 100.