YearToAvoid

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 60 brake complaints for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 13% of all complaints that year, including 3 crashes and 1 fire. A related recall (20V116000) covers front and/or rear brake caliper bolts that may not have been heat treated and can break under load.

Brakes complaints
60
13% of 477
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
10,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of brake pressure or pedal going to the floor at low mileage, sometimes within the first few hundred miles.
  • Several reports describe ABS activation with brakes locking up and the truck spinning or veering out of control.
  • Multiple complaints mention a cluster of warning lights firing together — ESC, trailer brake, parking brake, and brake system failure — often followed by reduced brake response.
  • Some owners report the electronic brake module failing entirely, requiring dealer replacement after warning chimes and dash alerts.
  • One report describes the parking brake failing to hold the vehicle, allowing it to roll backward before stopping.

When 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 24, 2020, latest Sep 7, 2026.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2020Sep 2020May 2021Sep 2022Nov 2023Oct 2024May 2025Nov 2025
60 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2025 (4).

Brakes recalls for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

  1. NHTSA 20V116000Feb 27, 2020Brakes20,352 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.

    Risk: Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.

Brakes complaints by Sierra 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20107 (3%)
  2. 201121 (6%)
  3. 201215 (10%)
  4. 20138 (5%)
  5. 2014201 (24%)
  6. 2015250 (32%)
  7. 2016118 (31%)
  8. 2017129 (30%)
  9. 201848 (15%)
  10. 2019124 (18%)
  11. 202060 (13%)
  12. 202124 (4%)
  13. 202231 (5%)
  14. 202317 (4%)
  15. 202412 (3%)
  16. 20256 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 60 brake complaints for the 2020 Sierra 1500, which is 13% of the 477 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
Yes. Recall 20V116000 covers front and/or rear brake caliper bolts that may not have been heat treated and could break under load. GM replaces the bolts free of charge.
At what mileage do 2020 Sierra 1500 brake problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 10,500 miles.
Did the 2020 Sierra 1500 brake issues cause any crashes?
NHTSA data shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries linked to brake complaints for the 2020 Sierra 1500.
How does the 2020 Sierra 1500 compare to other years for brake complaints?
The 2020 model's 13% share of complaints tied to brakes is lower than 2015 (32%), 2016 (31%), and 2017 (30%), but higher than 2021 (4%) and later years.

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.