This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Chevrolet 3500 brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet 3500 have filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 3500 | 6 |
| 2020 3500 (this page) | 6 |
| 2022 3500 | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 6 brakes complaints filed for the 2020 Chevrolet 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I haul vehicles for a living. My rear wheels locked up and my truck came to a complete stop while I was on the highway. Luckily I was able to pull over and no one was behind me. It has happened a total of 3 times. There is no fix for my recall yet. I’m terrified to drive, but this is how I make my living. What happens when it rains and my wheels lock up again. My life is on the line. I went to…
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 that the brake pad abradable material had delaminated from the brake shoe and was floating loose…
We tow a 2024 Grand Design Solitude 310GK with our 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500 diesel truck. We are getting frequent but intermittent loss of our trailer brakes during towing. As you can imagine this is a serious safety issue. We will be towing and receive a message on the display "Trailer Brakes Disconnected" then typically followed by "Service Trailer Brakes". This has been happening more…
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed down to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact made a left turn to avoid a ditch. The contact stated that the vehicle then rolled to a stop. The contact shifted to low gear, turned the hazard lights on, and was able to…
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 wear sensor indicated that the front brake pads were at 73 percent while the rear brakes were at 52…
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 Chevrolet 3500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2020 Chevrolet 3500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 13,750 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Chevrolet/3500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.