Problems · NHTSA complaints

2020 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Owners filed 749 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with NHTSA between Dec 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (251).

Complaints
749
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine251
  2. Power train235
  3. Electrical system117
  4. Service brakes103
  5. Steering74
  6. Fuel/propulsion system35
  7. Vehicle speed control28
  8. Structure26
  9. Engine and engine cooling26
  10. Suspension19
  11. Wheels14
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)13
  13. Exterior lighting12
  14. Service brakes, hydraulic11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20191
202070
202146
202256
202371
202490
2025242
2026173

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

251 reports2 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773849

Power train

235 reports2 fires3 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11772341

Electrical system

117 reports2 crashes8 fires1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11773760

Service brakes

103 reports2 crashes
“It said on the dash, "Brake System Failure 43MPH Top Speed," "Service ESC," and lights on were the ABS light, BRAKE light, Engine Light, and Wheel Traction light. My wife and my [XXX] son's safety were at risk while driving on a busy 75mph highway and trying to turn around and make it home as the brakes did not work and having to cross busy streets. It was not able to reproduce but my local mechanic found the bulletin from way back that had not been addressed by GM after numerous times to a dealer for other repairs. I then took it to a local GM dealer that confirmed software update was not applied and they did the repair and I was charged to pay even though this was a known GM issue that never contacted me about this potential fatal random occurrence that could happen after I have taken great care of this truck. There not any warnings before randomly losing power on the highway once she hit 60mph on the on ramp and just started failing slowly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11773208

Steering

74 reports1 crash
“While driving I lost the power steering on the vehicle. I took my truck to a chevy dealership and scheduled an appointment for the following day. I research the problem and found that there was a Customer Satisfaction Program bulletin (N252515590) issued covering this specific issue for my trucks model year but it did not cover my specific VIN. I contacted Chevrolet Customer Assistance and they told me to file a complaint with NHTSA.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11764335

Fuel/propulsion system

35 reports
“I received a notice via OnStar of a P129 code of a critical issue with engine or transmission system on my 2020 Silverado pickup after I pulled on to the highway. Vehicle reduced engine power warning and engine light came on. I was forced to put vehicle in neutral and restart vehicle several times. This code indicates fuel pump control module being defective. After researching, there seems to be issues with this on the the following; General Motors has issued voluntary emission recalls (such as bulletins N252516900 and N262558690) for the fuel pump power control module on select 2021–2023 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles. The issue with my vehicle is the same.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769554
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.