2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Sierra 1500 years
The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 has 477 NHTSA complaints, 12 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst of 16 model years with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 55% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000.
- Complaints
- 477
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 12 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 22 hwy
Top 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine263 (55%)
- Transmission & Powertrain96 (20%)
- Electrical System82 (17%)
- Brakes60 (13%)
- Other45 (9%)
- Steering37 (8%)
- Fuel System26 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras20 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (4%)
- Structure & Body13 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report brake failure leading to loss of control, including ABS locking up unexpectedly at low mileage.
- Some drivers describe unintended acceleration where the vehicle would not slow down even with the brake pedal applied.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and rear-end collisions, sometimes despite significant front-end damage.
- Side airbags have deployed in a way that caused burning or scorching to occupants' clothing.
- Fuel pump module failures have caused the truck to stall while driving and then have trouble restarting.
- Steering-related loss of power has been reported, with dashboard warning lights and camshaft or lifter damage found afterward.
2020 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 1500 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 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 Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
- NHTSA lists 477 complaints and 12 recalls for the 2020 Sierra 1500, giving it a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict compared to other Sierra 1500 model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 55% of complaints (263 complaints) with a median failure mileage of 50,000.
- Does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V650000 covers a driveshaft joint welding issue, and later recalls 24V797000 and 26V083000 address transmission control module software problems.
- How does the 2020 Sierra 1500 compare to other years?
- It ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years with data, better than 2014, 2022, 2023, and 2024, which carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Index values.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
- The EPA rates it at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.