2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 has 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: transmission lock up traveling 45 miles an hour while acceleration up modest uphill grade pulling a 3000 pound trailer. the lockup was severe enough to cause passengers to lunge forward with seatbelt engagement. there was no loss of control of the vehicle; however, we did stop the vehicle to inspect. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

14 complaints

29%

• Transmission lock up traveling 45 miles an hour while acceleration up modest uphill grade pulling a 3000 pound trailer. The lockup was severe enough to cause passengers to lunge forward with seatbelt engagement. There was no loss of control of the vehicle; however, we did stop the vehicle to inspect
• 2nd time I’ve had to replace def heater and tank. Truck goes into limp mode and limits the speed leaving a person stranded.
• Dealership told me the throttle body failed in my transmission. I wanted it completely torn down to find the actual point of failure since it did represent the current recall on the truck that hadn't been done because the part isn't yet available. The transmission has been replaced for almost $10,00

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“Transmission lock up traveling 45 miles an hour while acceleration up modest uphill grade pulling a 3000 pound trailer. The lockup was severe enough to cause passengers to lunge forward with seatbelt engagement. There was no loss of control of the vehicle; however, we did stop the vehicle to inspect”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

9 complaints

18%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE WE
• I purchased a certified pre-owned 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD (6.6 Gas) November 2021. Within the next few weeks, I noticed brake squeaking that kept getting worse and the truck braking system would not stop like the 2500 I had traded in when I purchased the 3500HD. I had to adjust the trailer brake
• This problem concerns faulty emergency brakes. The issue was discovered in the driveway, when I engaged the parking brake with the vehicle in park and my foot on the brake. The Service Emergency Brake light came on and stayed on. When the problem was investigated at the dealership, it was found t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE WE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

8 complaints

16%

• NEW VEHICLE ON DEALER LOT. ENGINE (DIESEL) WOULD NOT START REMOTELY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED MANUALLY.
• GM recall N2123544170 DPF regeneration temperature /DEF heater for cold weather operation to keep def from freezing and also for thawing frozen def...dealer to replace def tank and internal heating element...dealer was unable to give a time line for replacement parts needed to fix truck.(parts are
• The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that after driving at an undisclosed speed and towing a fifth wheel, after visual inspection, the contact observed that due to the routing of exhaust system, heat from the exhaust had started to melt the front wall of the trailer.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“NEW VEHICLE ON DEALER LOT. ENGINE (DIESEL) WOULD NOT START REMOTELY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED MANUALLY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

5 complaints

10%

• GM recall N2123544170 DPF regeneration temperature /DEF heater for cold weather operation to keep def from freezing and also for thawing frozen def...dealer to replace def tank and internal heating element...dealer was unable to give a time line for replacement parts needed to fix truck.(parts are
• I purchased a certified pre-owned 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD (6.6 Gas) November 2021. Within the next few weeks, I noticed brake squeaking that kept getting worse and the truck braking system would not stop like the 2500 I had traded in when I purchased the 3500HD. I had to adjust the trailer brake
• The blower motor for the HVAC system caught fire.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“GM recall N2123544170 DPF regeneration temperature /DEF heater for cold weather operation to keep def from freezing and also for thawing frozen def...dealer to replace def tank and internal heating element...dealer was unable to give a time line for replacement parts needed to fix truck.(parts are ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TIRES

5 complaints

10%

• The driver-side rear tire (P275/65R20) tread became separated while driving on I95 North with a fifthwheel. The tread became separated from the tire and caused sever damage to the trucks driver side rear wheel well and potential of losing control of the vehicle while towing a fifth wheel with my fam
• Tire Size LT275/65R20 While towing a trailer was accelerating onto the freeway at approximately 45MPH the rear driver side tire exploded. The tread partially separated causing extensive damage to the vehicles wheel well, rear bumper and undercarriage. Tires was inflated to approximately 77PSI and
• The outside tread separated without a drop in air pressure or without any warning, other than a wobble before the tire blew out. This occurred at 65 mph (posted speed limit) on a busy interstate. I was only able to avoid a wreck because I was traveling in the right lane and was able to immediately

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The driver-side rear tire (P275/65R20) tread became separated while driving on I95 North with a fifthwheel. The tread became separated from the tire and caused sever damage to the trucks driver side rear wheel well and potential of losing control of the vehicle while towing a fifth wheel with my fam”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 49 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: Transmission lock up traveling 45 miles an hour while acceleration up modest uphill grade pulling a 3000 pound trailer. The lockup was severe enough to cause passengers to lunge forward with seatbelt engagement. There was no loss of control of the vehicle; however, we did stop the vehicle to inspect
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL GRINDING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE WE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: NEW VEHICLE ON DEALER LOT. ENGINE (DIESEL) WOULD NOT START REMOTELY AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED MANUALLY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: GM recall N2123544170 DPF regeneration temperature /DEF heater for cold weather operation to keep def from freezing and also for thawing frozen def...dealer to replace def tank and internal heating element...dealer was unable to give a time line for replacement parts needed to fix truck.(parts are
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)