CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 · model year

2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

47 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 carries 47 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 SILVERADO 3500 is power train with 12 filings, followed by service brakes (7) and engine (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2020 SILVERADO 3500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

47
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

47 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN12
SERVICE BRAKES7
ENGINE6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
TIRES3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1

Recalls (8)

20V44600030/07/2020

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

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 cr

24V79700024/10/2024

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

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 caus

20V79200017/12/2020

SEAT BELTS

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 fram

19V81400014/11/2019

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

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

20V14200012/03/2020

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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.

26V08300012/02/2026

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

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 l

20V32400004/06/2020

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

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 r

24V06000001/02/2024

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

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

Recent Complaints

20260206POWER TRAIN

The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion while driving at highway speed after normal operation. The transmission began slipping and then would no longer engage gears. The vehicle had to be pulled over and towed. This vehicle is subject to GM Recall N242454440 related to a known transmission control valve defect that can cause loss of propulsion. I was not notified of this recall by GM and discovered it independently. Once aware, I completed the recall software update. After the failure, the dealer documented pressure control fault codes (P0746 and P0798), burnt transmission fluid, and internal debris, and recommended full transmission replacement. I requested that GM evaluate whether this failure is related to the known defect addressed by the recall and Special Coverage N242454441. GM acknowledged my escalation request but did not schedule an inspection, did not contact the dealer, and closed the case without performing a causation review. The vehicle remains disabled,

20260130POWER TRAIN

While driving at highway speed in my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Duramax, the transmission suddenly failed and locked up without warning. This caused an immediate loss of vehicle function and created a dangerous situation while traveling in traffic. I had my two children in the vehicle at the time. I was able to safely maneuver the truck to the shoulder, but the vehicle was no longer operable and required towing. This failure occurred only a few months after a transmission replacement and follows prior transmission repairs, including a valve body replacement performed by a GM dealership. This is a repeat transmission failure and presented a serious safety risk due to the sudden nature of the failure at highway speed.

20250930POWER TRAIN

On [XXX], while driving ~65 mph, my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax experienced a sudden transmission lock-up, nearly causing a crash. The event caused severe internal transmission damage, leaving the truck unsafe and inoperable. This is the exact defect described in NHTSA Recall #24V-797 (GM Recall N242454440), which states that valve body wear can cause rear-wheel lock-up. My truck stored P0700 and P2820, which directly indicate a valve body failure. GM refuses to repair my vehicle under Special Coverage N242454441 (15 years/150,000 miles) because code P0747 did not set, even though my failure clearly matches the defect. I requested a hydraulic valve body leak test, the only way to confirm the defect, but the dealer refused, saying they only scan codes. GM must perform this test at no cost, as required by federal recall laws. GM’s denial leaves a known safety defect unrepaired, violating federal recall obligations and putting drivers at risk. NHTSA action is needed to r

20250730VISIBILITY/WIPER

I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding a recurring and unresolved mechanical defect in my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, which I believe may constitute a widespread safety and reliability concern affecting this vehicle model. Since I purchased the truck in June 2020, I have experienced seven (7) failures of the air conditioning compressor system. The first six failures were repaired at authorized Chevrolet service centers, and the vehicle is currently undergoing a seventh replacement. All repairs have been documented and performed through Chevrolet dealerships, and I am attaching copies of the service repair orders for your reference. On July 24, 2025, a Chevrolet Customer Assistance representative, Chana Padgett, confirmed to me that the A/C compressor has been on national backorder, which I was told was due to the frequency of failures reported in 2020 Silverado 2500HD models nationwide. This points to a systemic defect, not an isolated case. The vehicle now has a

20250710ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle later failed to start and became undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing and for the manufacturer internal recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the dealer was not aware of the recall. 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 via email, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 28,000

20250710POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle later failed to start and became undrivable. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing and for the manufacturer internal recall repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the dealer was not aware of the recall. 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 via email, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 28,000

20250708POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the rear wheels locked-up. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving, but the vehicle was driving roughly, and the failure recurred while driving 30 MPH. The check engine warning light, the electronic stability control warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated intermittently. The contact pulled into a gas station, where a mechanic inspected the vehicle, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileag

20250630TIRES

Goodyear Wrangler Trail Runner AT LT275/65R20 126/123S I had been traveling at 55 mph when I started noticing a vibration in the steering wheel and front wheels. It started getting a little more noticeable, so I pulled over and checked out the front tires. I checked the lug nuts, looking for missing wheel balance weights, and checked the tires for any bulges. Everything seemed to be ok. Started driving again and the vibration was still there. As I was slowing down for a traffic light, the tire tread separated, and I pulled over. The tire remained inflated so I didn't hurt the rim. I changed the tire and after I get home the tire blew out.

20250620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while hauling a 2020 Heartland Cyclone, the trailer brakes unexpectedly deactivated. The contact stated that the trailer brake was disconnected, and the warning light to check the trailer winch was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the contact was informed that the trailer brake module had failed and needed to be replaced. The trailer brake module was replaced. The failure and repair were linked to an unstated Technical Service Bulletin; however, the VIN was not included. The TSB stated that the RV battery was interfering with the vehicle battery and causing the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufactur

Mileage: 52,000

20250430POWER TRAIN

I recieved a recall notice from Chevrolet stating they needed to install a software update to the truck which will warn if a potential rear wheel lock up is about to occur due to faulty transmission valve body- which was stated that they do not have a fix for. After software update was installed- I was driving about 35 mile per hour on the trip home, and the truck abruptly downshifted very hard, momentarily locking up rear wheels, and the check engine light came on, and the vehicle message came up stating the vehicle was placed in a reduced propulsion mode(limp mode). The next day it did it again on my short drive to work of 2 miles. I took into dealership and they informed me that the valve body had failed- as mentioned in the recall notice. It is now 1 month later and I still do not have my truck back, the part is back ordered, and they have no idea when it will be fixed. I am without my primary form of transportation.

20250306POWER TRAIN

The sudden rear wheel lock up recall that GM has released for the 2020+ Silverado's with the 10-speed transmission does not go far enough. The recall simply reprograms the PCM to alert the driver 10,000 miles prior to the valve in the valve body failing, puts the vehicle into limp mode, and extended the warranty on the valve body to 15 years or 150,000 miles. GM states there is no fix available and this is not correct. NextGen Drivetrain has developed a fix for this per their website [XXX] ). On their site they also provide videos of trucks experiencing the lock up where it seems that the vehicle downshifts to 2-nd gear at high speeds and creates a violent jolt. This is extremely troubling to me as these vehicles are meant to tow, and I am very fearful that this issue will happen while towing a long trailer while my family and I are traveling and putting them in danger of an accident. It is very concerning to me that NHTSA would allow for this type of a "FIX". I am not sure if you

20250210ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving on [XXX] at 70-73 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact slammed on the brake pedal and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the tachometer had increased to over 3,000 RPM. The vehicle then red-lined. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve body control needed to be replaced but was on backorder for a month. The vehicle was repaired, but the vehicle failed to recognize the part. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Spitzer Chevrolet Amherst (200 N Leavitt Rd, Amherst, OH 44001), where

Mileage: 178,000

20250210POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving on [XXX] at 70-73 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact slammed on the brake pedal and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the tachometer had increased to over 3,000 RPM. The vehicle then red-lined. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve body control needed to be replaced but was on backorder for a month. The vehicle was repaired, but the vehicle failed to recognize the part. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Spitzer Chevrolet Amherst (200 N Leavitt Rd, Amherst, OH 44001), where

Mileage: 178,000

20250210ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:CRANK/CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while driving on [XXX] at 70-73 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact slammed on the brake pedal and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the tachometer had increased to over 3,000 RPM. The vehicle then red-lined. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valve body control needed to be replaced but was on backorder for a month. The vehicle was repaired, but the vehicle failed to recognize the part. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over safely. The vehicle was towed to another local dealer, Spitzer Chevrolet Amherst (200 N Leavitt Rd, Amherst, OH 44001), where

Mileage: 178,000

20250121FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Received a code P10D9. Infotainment center says 157 miles until 65 mph max speed. Dealer has no idea what’s wrong

20250119SERVICE BRAKES

During operation of the vehicle at approximately 45mph and sudden stopping/ breaking is required, truck fails to do so. It is a partial loss of brake pressure and a loud "whale cry" type sound that appears to be coming from under the hood. I have had it happen twice just recently; I have taken to dealer, and they cannot replicate the issue. I have caught the sound the second time on video. To summarize truck loses partial breaking power, pedal does not bottom out, but it feels like there is not as much pressure being applied to the breaks when needed. Once the sound stops all braking returns to normal.

20250116CrashPOWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at 62 MPH during snow weather and switching lanes; the accelerator pedal was depressed, and both the rear wheels had locked. The vehicle spun out of control and traveled into the center lane of a two-lane road and crashed into a snow embankment where it came to a stop. No Injuries were sustained. No warning light illuminated. Prior to the crash, the contact stated that the transmission was slipping and making abnormal noises where it was taken to a dealer for the transmission was inspected and replaced due to metal shaving intrusion. The vehicle was then taken to the same local dealer for the most recent failure where it was diagnosed with a transmission failure related to the open recall. The vehicle was towed back to the residence where it was infor

Mileage: 40,000

20250108LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that upon commencing to drive at various speeds, the tailgate would open without user intention, and remain open despite attempting to shut close via the interior controls. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V060000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20241229POWER TRAIN

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 $10,000.00

20241211POWER TRAIN

2nd time I’ve had to replace def heater and tank. Truck goes into limp mode and limits the speed leaving a person stranded.

Compare 2020CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 have?
The 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 47 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
Yes, the 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 is POWER TRAIN with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ENGINE.
Is the 2020 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.