2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 23, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

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 consumers from unsafe engine component failure. please fix this situation TY

Incident: October 23, 2026 · Filed: October 26, 2026

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.

Incident: October 17, 2026 · Filed: October 23, 2026

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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: July 4, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

Transmission started slipping for no reason around 100 thousand miles. All maintenance had been done no code was ever shown on dash no check engine light took it to 3 different places and had it tested all said the same thing they couldn't find anything wrong. Now its sitting at the shop and they are saying its the Transmission and it needs a new one.

Incident: October 18, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

We were traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour while towing our Coachmen Apex travel trailer with our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT equipped with the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine. During travel, we heard a loud popping sound originating from beneath the hood. There were no warning/engine lights or smell. Immediately afterward, we observed substantial smoke billowing from the front of the vehicle.We pulled off the highway as quickly as possible. Smoke began entering the passenger compartment through the ventilation system, and we observed flames beneath the hood. Recognizing the immediate danger, we evacuated the vehicle and removed our dog. We attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher; however, our efforts were unsuccessful. The fire spread rapidly, and within minutes, the truck became fully engulfed in flames. The speed and severity of the fire left us with very little time to escape. We are fortunate that we were able to get ourselves and our dog out of the vehicle. This was a frightening and traumatic experience that placed our lives at serious risk while traveling on a major interstate highway. The incident also raises serious concerns about the safety of this vehicle and the potential danger posed to its occupants, other motorists, and anyone traveling nearby. We purchased and meticulously maintained this vehicle with the reasonable expectation that it would provide safe, reliable transportation. Instead, our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT experienced a catastrophic fire while traveling at highway speeds and towing our travel trailer, resulting in the complete destruction of the vehicle. Although we were able to escape, this incident could have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. The rapid progression of the fire, combined with smoke entering the passenger compartment, raises significant concerns about vehicle safety and the time available for occupants to escape.

Incident: October 12, 2026 · Filed: October 20, 2026

Had a misfire in cylinder 4 so I took it to the dealership to diagnose. It held compression and switched the plugs and still had the same misfire. They said it was a common issue that the lifters go out with the DFM. It only has about 50k miles on it and I am the original owner

Incident: October 1, 2025 · Filed: October 20, 2026

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.

Incident: October 19, 2025 · Filed: October 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle accelerated independently. The check engine warning light and transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine and transmission required replacement. e. The failure mileage was unknown.

Incident: March 1, 2025 · Filed: October 14, 2026

What failed: The automatic transmission on my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Custom 4WD, 2.7L turbo (VIN [XXX]). It has an intermittent shudder, a stuttering vibration felt through the truck, under light throttle and under load. The truck is in my possession and available for inspection on request. Safety risk: The shudder happens during acceleration and under load, when smooth power delivery matters most, such as merging or climbing grades. I tow a 20-foot camper in the summer, which puts the transmission under heavy load, and a driveline problem while towing raises the risk. No crash or injury has occurred. Confirmed by a dealer: Yes. On XXX, at 44,934 miles, Serra Chevrolet in [XXX] confirmed the transmission concern under GM service bulletin 20-NA-142, which the dealer confirmed applies to my VIN (repair order XXX). The technician performed a transmission fluid exchange as the recommended repair. I will update this report if the shudder returns. The technician confirmed the contaminated fluid from the factory. Manufacturer or others: The dealer submitted a goodwill request to GM, which GM declined, so I paid for the diagnosis and repair myself. No police or insurance inspection, since there was no incident. Warning lamps and symptoms: No transmission warning lamps or messages appeared. The only symptom was the shudder itself, which first appeared around XXX. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: August 14, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

GM Corporate Legal has formally denied a repair for a known design flaw (TSB 18-NA-383) that has caused progressive structural corrosion and water intrusion underneath the cab carpets near vehicle electrical routing since 2024. The certified GM technician explicitly identified GM Technical Service Bulletin #18-NA-383 as the governing bulletin for this exact issue. The technician’s diagnostic notes state word-for-word: "...i inspected the truck and the rear window is leaking i can see water stains on the window and the head liner has a big water stain. the floor is not rotted out but the rear of the rockers and the cab corners are rotting and bubbling under the paint." This proves the structural rot is being caused from the inside out by a factory defect, not environmental road salt. I have a duplicate large packet that I sent including +15 dated photos to GM corporate/legal back in August.