2020 Chevrolet Silverado problems
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado has 692 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. No active recalls — the patterns come from the complaint record.
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado has 692 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 202 complaints, typically surfacing around 59,850 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Silverado | 835 | 0 |
| 2018 Silverado | 508 | 0 |
| 2019 Silverado | 1,044 | 0 |
| 2020 Silverado (this page) | 692 | 0 |
| 2021 Silverado | 774 | 0 |
| 2022 Silverado | 577 | 0 |
| 2023 Silverado | 353 | 0 |
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.
- 6 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system
- Brakes: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 2,640–64,000 mi
- Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2020 Chevrolet Silverado? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 202 owner reports · tends to show around 59,850 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 161 owner reports · tends to show around 72,585 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 71 owner reports · tends to show around 32,015 mi · ~$700 to fix
- electrical — 69 owner reports · tends to show around 39,339 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 39,339 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2020 Chevrolet Silverado
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2020 Chevrolet Silverado
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~10,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~13,500 misteering~$700
- ~14,562 mibrakes~$450
- ~60,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~77,154 miengine~$3,100
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The rear wheels lock and most of the time its hard shifting/ or it feels like it struggling to shift to the next gear
This truck is 2 months old and only has 2300 miles on it. On sunday 12/27, the truck would not start. All dash panel and light indicator warnings came on including 4 wheel drive assist failure, brake system failure, tps failure, check engine, battery error, etc. After jump…
Bad shuttering, slow acceleration, clunking noise, check engine light flashing all started while driving home. Took it to a transmission shop and they said it was the TC and transmission. I then called the dealership to see if there was a recall, and looked up any recalls. Since…
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the service brakes were inoperable. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard and the vehicle did not stop or slow down. The contact stated that several warning lights…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 692 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 6 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Brakes: 52 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 2,640–64,000 mi; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Chevrolet Silverado?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 202 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,850 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 692 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 59,850 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 202 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 59,850 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 59,850 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Silverado has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 692 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.