2020 GMC Sierra 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 has a Complaint Index of 90, ranking third worst among 21 model years, with 76 complaints and 9 recall campaigns. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 32% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Sierra 2500 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Sierra 2500 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 76
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 9
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (32%)
- Other16 (21%)
- Engine15 (20%)
- Brakes13 (17%)
- Electrical System13 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (8%)
- Steering6 (8%)
- Structure & Body5 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)
- Fuel System2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some trucks caught fire in the engine compartment, with smoke entering the cabin through the air vents before the fire spread.
- Owners describe brakes engaging on their own at low speed or overheating badly while towing a trailer, sometimes accompanied by a burning odor from the rotors.
- Several owners report sudden loss of electrical function while driving, including tail lights, radio, and dashboard warnings appearing together, in one case at just 212 miles.
- Rear trailer wiring harnesses and modules reportedly short-circuited and caused fires that spread to the taillight, bumper, and truck bed.
- Some owners report the rear defroster module overheating, smoking, and shattering the rear window, including a case triggered by remote start.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a crash after the driver swerved off the road to avoid a stopped vehicle.
2020 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls
9 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 Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
- Compared with other Sierra 2500 model years, the 2020 ranks third worst out of 21 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 90 and 76 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top complaint area, accounting for 32% of complaints (24 of 76), with a median failure mileage of 114,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2020 Sierra 2500, covering transmission control software, hood latches, tailgate wiring, seat belts, airbags, and spare tires.
- What years of the GMC Sierra 2500 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 all carry Avoid verdicts, while 2010, 2013, 2014, and 2018 rank as Best years for the Sierra 2500.
- Are there fire risks with the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500?
- NHTSA complaints report 3 fires for the 2020 model year, including an engine compartment fire, a rear trailer harness fire, and a rear defroster module fire.