YearToAvoid

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 has a complaint index of 70 and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 477 complaints, 12 recalls, and engine problems make up 55% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
70/100
#7 of 21 Sierra 1500 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
477
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
12
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
12
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
13
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19
16 city / 22 hwy
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0

Top 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine263 (55%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain96 (20%)
  3. Electrical System82 (17%)
  4. Brakes60 (13%)
  5. Other45 (9%)
  6. Steering37 (8%)
  7. Fuel System26 (5%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras20 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires20 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body13 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe brakes locking up or failing suddenly, in one case causing the truck to spin out and cross into oncoming traffic.
  • Some drivers report unintended acceleration events where the accelerator pedal stayed engaged even as the driver pressed the brake.
  • Side airbags have deployed with enough force to burn through clothing and fill the cabin with smoke.
  • Several owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, including a head-on impact with a light pole.
  • Fuel pump module failures caused the engine to stall repeatedly while driving, with one truck stalling again a short distance after restarting.
  • One owner reported a blown camshaft and lifters accompanied by a sudden loss of power and dashboard warning lights.
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 complaints: complaints filed per quarter772019 Q42020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42024 Q42025 Q4
477 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q2 (77).

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls

12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 12 recalls for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good303217—
2019Avoid7567110—
2020Caution704771219
2021Avoid85570717
2022Avoid100585617

All GMC Sierra 1500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 70 for the 2020 model, ranking it 7th worst among 21 model years and giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Sierra 1500 years.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Sierra 1500?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 263 of 477 complaints (55%), with a median mileage at failure of 50,000 miles.
Does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2020 Sierra 1500, covering transmission control software, driveshaft welds, seat belt brackets, tires, and airbag modules.
How does the 2020 Sierra 1500 compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 70, 2020 is worse than years like 2012 (index 0, Best) and 2013 (index 10, Best), but better than 2022 (index 100, Avoid) and 2021 (index 85, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
EPA rates the 2020 Sierra 1500 at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.