2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has a complaint index of 85, ranks 4th worst of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. It has 108 complaints, 10 recalls, and its top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain at 31% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Silverado 2500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 108
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (31%)
- Brakes19 (18%)
- Electrical System18 (17%)
- Engine16 (15%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (11%)
- Fuel System11 (10%)
- Other10 (9%)
- Steering9 (8%)
- Structure & Body9 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission shifting from Park to Drive on its own while the truck sat idling and unoccupied.
- Some trucks displayed an emission system warning and transmission warning light at highway speed, with one case involving a fire.
- Electrical system failures include engines producing white smoke and flames after short drives, and interior components melting from an electrical fire.
- One owner described the ABS failing to engage during a panic stop at 65 mph, resulting in a crash with only 4,006 miles on the odometer.
- Steering was reported to pull to the right and could be yanked from the driver's hands after hitting a pothole, with dealers unable to find a fix.
- Brake issues include the electric parking brake and hill start assist applying themselves unexpectedly, and brakes smelling hot after stops.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls
10 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 24V060000Feb 1, 2024Structure & Body570,434 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
2020 compared with other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 model has a complaint index of 85, the 4th worst of 21 model years for this truck, and is rated Avoid relative to other Silverado 2500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Silverado 2500?
- NHTSA data shows Transmission & Powertrain issues lead with 33 complaints (31% share), followed by Brakes at 19 complaints and Electrical System issues at 18 complaints.
- Does the 2020 Silverado 2500 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple transmission-related recalls for the 2020 Silverado 2500, including campaigns 26V083000, 24V797000, and 20V650000 involving a driveshaft weld defect and transmission control software.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Silverado 2500 have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2020 Silverado 2500, covering transmission, structure/body, suspension, seat belts, and airbag components.
- At what mileage do transmission problems typically appear?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 81,381 miles at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2020 Silverado 2500.