NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 749 owner complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. Most complaints involve engine (251) and power train (235). The EPA rates it 16–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Incident: Twice our Chevrolet Silverado 2020 Duramax has experienced while operating, sudden with no warning "reduced engine power" and "check engine light" the engine sounds very different and does not operate as it should and presents a safety issue when you are driving and traveling at a high rate of speed. These incidences occurred on 10-4-2026 and 10-23-2026. The vehicle experienced a sudden failure of the engine coolant control valve, triggering Diagnostic Trouble Code P1006. This component failure restricts proper engine thermal management and poses a risk of sudden engine overheating while driving. General Motors has formally acknowledged this identical part failure as a chronic manufacturing and safety defect via Special Coverage Bulletins N252508341 and N252508340, which extend warranty coverage to 15 years/150,000 miles. However, GM has arbitrarily excluded the 2020 model year from this coverage, despite the vehicle utilizing the exact same defective part assembly number as the covered 2021-2023 models. This identical component failure across model years constitutes an unaddressed defect pool that requires immediate regulatory expansion to protect…”
“1. Transmission Issue: Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced ongoing transmission problems. The transmission exhibits noticeable shifting issues, including delayed response, harsh/rough gear engagement, and erratic shifting behavior while driving. 2. Intermittent Electrical & Sound Failure: In addition to the transmission issue, the vehicle has developed a severe intermittent electrical malfunction. Without warning, all audio and electronic sounds in the cabin completely turn off ("go mute"). This includes the loss of interior warning chimes, system alerts, and the audible turn signal clicker. The system restores itself randomly ("goes back when it wants to"), making the issue unpredictable. Safety Concern: The sudden loss of audible turn signals and safety warning chimes presents a driver distraction and safety hazard while operating the vehicle on public roads.”
“Truck would not start - it left me stranded. The main body to engine ground strap had rotted off. I found there is a Chevrolet Customer Satisfaction Program (N252515590) for ground straps rotting for the same make/model/year as my vehicle, but for some reason mine isn’t listed by VIN number in the program.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 2WD Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 27 | $3,500 | 383 |
| Silverado 4WD Auto 10-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 25 | $3,750 | 405 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo, SIDI; 4-mode/Sport transmission · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 421 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo, SIDI; 3-mode transmission (work truck) · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,200 | 422 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; XFE Package · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 448 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 8-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 460 |
| Silverado 4WD Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI · 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | $3,400 | 477 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.3 L, SIDI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,800 | 524 |
| Silverado 4WD Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L, SIDI · 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $4,700 | 516 |
| Silverado 4WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 525 |
| Silverado 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L, SIDI; FFV · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 545 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
12 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 749 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (251), power train (235), electrical system (117). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado at 16–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.