2020 Gmc SIERRA 1500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Gmc SIERRA 1500 has 645 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.4x the segment average of 472. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: smell of smoke strong in the cab and outside hood of truck. also have seen smoke coming from hood of truck. smells like burning electrical or plastic. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.
645
Total Complaints
12
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
224 complaints- • SMELL OF SMOKE STRONG IN THE CAB AND OUTSIDE HOOD OF TRUCK. ALSO HAVE SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD OF TRUCK. SMELLS LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL OR PLASTIC
- • ENGINE LIKE KEEPS COMING ON. CODE READING THE KNOCK SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPAIR. SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. *TR
- • RUPTURED OIL COOLER LINE. DRAINING THE ENGINE OF OIL AND CAUSING LOCK-UP. *TR
“SMELL OF SMOKE STRONG IN THE CAB AND OUTSIDE HOOD OF TRUCK. ALSO HAVE SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD OF TRUCK. SMELLS LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL OR PLASTIC”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2020 Gmc SIERRA 1500
Based on 186 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 20K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
ELECTRICAL
BRAKES
STEERING
OTHER
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
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 Gmc SIERRA 1500 was the #16 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 6,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Full-size truck; parts demand
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 Gmc SIERRA 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 Gmc SIERRA 1500 Service Intervals
Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.
"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.
Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2020 SIERRA 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc 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 645 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: SMELL OF SMOKE STRONG IN THE CAB AND OUTSIDE HOOD OF TRUCK. ALSO HAVE SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD OF TRUCK. SMELLS LIKE BURNING ELECTRICAL OR PLASTIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: THE TRUCK RANDOMLY GETS STUCK IN PARK. CANNOT PUT IT INTO DRIVE, NEUTRAL OR REVERSE. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE JANUARY 27, 2020. GMC WONT SEND THEM THE PART, THE DEALSHIP BELIEVES IT MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PART AND THEY ARE TRYING TO FIX OR REDESIGN THE PART BEFORE ITS SENT OUT. A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: BRAND NEW TRUCK. STUCK AT THE GYM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TRUCK WONT START. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND RADIO WONT SHUT OFF. VEHICLE WONT START. I'M ASSUMING THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED BECAUSE INTERIOR LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO, WONT SHUT OFF. HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 52 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT WAS VERY FIRM. THE PARK BRAKE WAS ACTIVATED BUT FAILED TO EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A PARKING LOT AND WAS PUT IN PARK. THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Gmc SIERRA 1500 — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 645
- Recalls
- 12
- Fire reports
- 4
- Crash reports
- 8
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 472
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Gmc SIERRA 1500