2020 GMC Sierra 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 51 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (33% of complaints); the 2018 and 2019 and 2021 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2026
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“the engine seized at 65mph. available for inspection. was left stranded in a limited access area with no cell service. there was no warning, the engine just stopped at highway speed and would not restart. the problem was confirmed by an independent service center. they couldnt identify which component had failed without a costly teardown. occurred at 112,000 miles, past the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2025
“The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission valve body sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2025
“The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH with passengers seated in the rear seats, the passengers became aware that water was entering the vehicle between the window and frame. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact of Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-383. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no special coverage or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine started skipping, then service parking brake light came on, then service engine light came on and speed dropped to 44 mph.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2025
“My IntelliBeam function stops working sometimes, I can still use the lights as normal but the IntelliBeam function stops every so often and starts working after about 2 to 10 mins. Lane departure warning stops every so often and will start working after 1 to 10 mins, I have noticed that when it stops working at night time then the IntelliBeam function stops working also. When I press the on/off button for lane departure then it will say that lane departure is unavailable right now. I have been getting a p20ee code showing something is wrong with SCR nox sensor 2. Scan tool reveals that the sensor works normal and then stops. Once I clear the code then it works good for a few days.”Owner report · Lane Departure · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact was concerned about the remedy repair not being adequate to repair the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2025
“Def heater connection on the tank will arc and melt down causing engine derate and costly repairs. Gm know and has released a service bulletins in 2022. Bulletins N212342980. But even with bulletins done still fails. And talking todealer ships it a very common problem and there is a shortage in parts.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2025
“Valve body failed while pulling my camper down the interstate. Transmission began to have issues and locked up on us while driving. Luckily i was able to avoid any accidents. Had truck towed to a private Transmission shop to have the transmission repaired. Shop advised the failure was due to the faulty valve body.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2025
“The tailgate automatically opened while I was driving. I was sure the tailgate was shut and latched properly prior to the incident.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2024
“I have a complaint about the recall response from both nasal and gm. I feel the cure is substandard. Why not just put new transmission control modules in to correct this problem. Very disappointed”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The hood-latch striker wires may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192284960.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles previously recalled under 20V-142. Some of the vehicles in 20V-324 were not part of Recall 20V-142 but received defect parts during another service (typically during collision repair). The hood-latch striker wires on replacement hoods installed for Safety Recall 20V-142 may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. For hoods sold over the counter, dealers will contact customers with instructions for hood replacement. The recall began July 7, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202306490.
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
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.
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.
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.
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.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. The most complained-about area is power train (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 29,400 miles or less.
Does the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:control module:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.