2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 has 1007 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 796. The most common issue is engine problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving down the road, gave it gas to go around a vehicle and it felt like the vehicle shut down. esc caution, check engine light, and brake warning/caution all illuminated. vehicle began to slow down drastically and if i hadn't gotten off the road quickly i would have been hit. if i had be. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 14 fire reports filed.
1007
Total Complaints
12
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
249 complaints- • I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, GAVE IT GAS TO GO AROUND A VEHICLE AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ESC CAUTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND BRAKE WARNING/CAUTION ALL ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY AND IF I HADN'T GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. IF I HAD BE
- • ON A VERY RAINY DAY I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE BLOCK I WENT THROUGH SEVERAL SMALL PUDDLES FROM RUN OFF SO NO MORE THAN TWO-THREE INCHES OF WATER. WITH A LOT OF RAIN AND SPLASHING FROM OTHER VEHICLES. MY TRUCK SPUTTERS AND DIES, NO DEEP WATER, NO OFF-ROADING. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE TRUCK IS WATERLOC
- • WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE (OURS DOES NOT HAVE THE STOP START TECHNOLOGY); HOWEVER WHEN IDLING LOW OR COMING TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WILL JERK THEN DIE. THE MOTOR WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF; STALLING, THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART IS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK AND TURN IGNITION AGAIN. THE MOTOR SHUTS OF
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, GAVE IT GAS TO GO AROUND A VEHICLE AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ESC CAUTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND BRAKE WARNING/CAUTION ALL ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY AND IF I HADN'T GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. IF I HAD BE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500
Based on 299 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 15K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
BRAKES
TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL
STEERING
OTHER
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (12)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
Above-average theft risk
The Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 was the #6 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 12,400 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Full-size truck; catalytic converters + wheel theft
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2020 SILVERADO 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 1007 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, GAVE IT GAS TO GO AROUND A VEHICLE AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. ESC CAUTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND BRAKE WARNING/CAUTION ALL ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY AND IF I HADN'T GOTTEN OFF THE ROAD QUICKLY I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. IF I HAD BE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: PUT TRUCK INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF, STARTED TO GET OUT BUT TRUCK WAS STARTING TO ROLL, TRIED TO STOP IT, PUSHED ON BRAKES, NO EFFECT, KEPT ROLLING AND GAINED MOMENTUM TILL IT HIT OUR CABIN AND STOPPED. LENGTH WAS 200FT APPX OF ROLL. MESSAGE CENTER SAID " PRESS BRAKE TO START " WHICH I WAS DOING AS IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPEND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENTS PANEL ON AND OFF,, GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING. MILES LEFT GOES UP AND DOWN WHEN TRUCK IS SITTING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 1007
- Recalls
- 12
- Fire reports
- 14
- Crash reports
- 6
- Injury reports
- 4
- Segment avg
- 796
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500