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 were illuminated. The contact stated that due to the service brakes being inoperable, he tried to avoid a crash. While…
2020 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems
severe 52 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
52
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 52 brakes complaints filed for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, 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
Owners have filed 52 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe brake failures ranging from complete loss of stopping power to partial engagement and intermittent operation. Several describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with no response, often at highway speeds. Dashboard warnings frequently accompany these events: "Brake System Failure," "Service Brake Assist," "Drive No Faster Than 62 MPH" (or 43 MPH), along with ABS, traction control, ESC, and parking brake warnings. Some owners report the truck limping along at severely reduced speeds when these warnings activate.
A separate pattern involves brake overheating and warping. One owner with minimal towing and light use reported all four rotors warped from overheating despite thick brake pads remaining. Others describe brake components locking up unexpectedly, rotors running hot to the touch after brief driving, and rapid pad wear—rear brakes wearing out by 25,000 miles and uneven pad wear where inner pads are shot while outer pads look new.
Caliper failures appear repeatedly: stuck calipers, seized front wheels, and calipers requiring replacement after locking. Several complaints reference a brake master cylinder failing and needing replacement, sometimes multiple times on the same vehicle. Brake control module and ABS system failures also feature prominently, with dealers citing needed recalibrations and module replacements.
Intermittent brake assist failures and noise—squealing and shaking—round out reported issues. Some owners describe the brake system working normally after restart, suggesting electrical or software involvement. Integrated trailer brake controller failures also occur, with the system shutting off trailer brakes entirely when it detects wiring issues.
Same Chevrolet Silverado brakes reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake system failure / loss of braking power
Brake pedal loses effectiveness or sinks to floor with no stopping response, often accompanied by dashboard warnings limiting vehicle speed to 43–62 MPH. Failures occur at various speeds including highway (55–70 MPH) and city driving. Some owners report loss of emergency/parking brake function simultaneously.
When: Varies from 738 miles to 101,593 miles; multiple failures reported on same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks to floor with no response; Extended braking distance or inability to stop; Dashboard warnings: 'Brake System Failure,' 'Service Brake Assist,' speed limit messages; ABS, traction control, ESC, and parking brake warning lights illuminated; Loss of emergency brake function; Brake pedal goes soft or loses pressure
Codes mentioned: U0101 (Lost Communication with TCM), U0100 (Lost Communication with ECM/PCM), U0146 (Lost Communication with Gateway A), P25A2 (Brake System Control Module Requested MIL Illumination), C0610 05, C0616 5A
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced brake master cylinders (sometimes multiple replacements on same vehicle), performed brake system control module recalibration, replaced calipers, and reflashed software; some customers report $2,000 repair costs; one owner cited master cylinder on backorder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall 20V116000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) exists but does not cover all affected vehicles; owners report VINs not included in recall; dealer-applied Customer Satisfaction Program repairs mentioned; some owners advised to contact NHTSA Hotline
Rotor warping and overheating
All four rotors warp prematurely despite light use and normal driving patterns. Owners report rotors becoming too hot to touch and brake pads remaining substantially intact, suggesting the warping is not due to brake abuse or overuse.
When: Early in vehicle life; one owner reports at unspecified mileage with minimal towing (2 trips per year, 70 miles roundtrip) and no heavy-load use
Symptoms owners cite: Intense shaking felt in seat, steering wheel, dash, and gear shifter when braking; Rotors too hot to touch; Brake pads still at 83% (front) and 89% (rear) life
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection confirmed all four rotors warped from overheating; one owner quoted $2,000 for repair and stated dealer will not proceed until VIN is added to recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Recall allegedly addresses lack of heat treatment of bolts used to attach front and rear calipers, affecting over 350,000 vehicles, but affected owner's VIN not included in recall as of complaint date
Brake caliper and wheel seizure
Calipers lock up or seize unexpectedly, causing wheels to be immobilized or severely restricted. Occurs with minimal mileage in some cases. Uneven wear patterns suggest electronic parking brake or caliper control issues.
When: 46,000 to 54,000 miles reported; one instance at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Front wheels seize while driving at highway speed; forced to pull over and restart vehicle; Front left caliper locked with brake fluid running from upper reservoir; Brake pads metal-to-metal on one wheel while sensor reads 54% life remaining; Rear inner brake pads completely worn while outer pads look new; Truck immobile after caliper seizure; Brakes still not 100% effective after caliper replacement and air purging
Repairs/costs cited: Caliper replacement required; one instance cost $1,000 and took a week to bleed air from system; rear brakes also reported as not fully releasing after repair
Brake master cylinder failure
Master cylinder leaks or fails, requiring replacement. Some vehicles experience recurrence of the failure immediately after repair or require multiple master cylinder replacements.
When: 37,000 to 101,593 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: 'Service Brake Assist' message displayed; Brakes fail to engage when pedal depressed; Extended braking distance
Repairs/costs cited: Brake master cylinder replacement performed; one vehicle required replacement twice, another required three replacements at different dealers; one replacement on backorder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; parts sent to dealer for repair; one vehicle not yet repaired at time of complaint
Brake system control module and ABS failures
Brake control module fails or requires recalibration. ABS system activates inappropriately or fails to function. Related to lost communication codes between powertrain control modules.
When: Various mileages including early in vehicle life (53,531 miles reported); 79,000 miles for ABS-related failure
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Brake pedal remains on floorboard; Extended braking distance; Loss of brake pressure during initial brake application; Service ESC warning; 'Service Brake Assist' message
Codes mentioned: U0101 (Lost Communication with TCM), U0100 (Lost Communication with ECM/PCM), U0146 (Lost Communication with Gateway A), P25A2 (Brake System Control Module Requested MIL Illumination), C0610 05, C0616 5A
Repairs/costs cited: Brake system control module replacement needed; modules reported as on backorder; ABS recalibration or update performed; codes cleared by dealers and independent shops
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Brake System Control Module recalls have occurred in past; dealers cite need for recalibration or module replacement
Intermittent brake assist loss / soft pedal
Brake assist temporarily fails or brake pedal becomes soft and unresponsive, sometimes resolving after vehicle restart. Occurs intermittently, making diagnosis difficult.
When: Various mileages; one instance at 2.5 miles after dealer service
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal soft or spongy; Loss of brake pressure; Brake pedal unresponsive or requires hard depression to stop; 'Service Brake Assist' or 'Brake System Failure' messages; Check engine light illuminated; Brakes work normally after vehicle restart
Codes mentioned: P25A2 (Brake System Control Module Requested MIL Illumination), U0101 (Lost Communication with TCM), U0100 (Lost Communication with ECM/PCM)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have attributed failures to software loading issues and performed recalibration; one dealer found no problem despite code indicating brake failure; Customer Satisfaction Program repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software 'glitch' cited by one dealer; Customer Satisfaction Program repair mentioned; one dealer unable to locate fault despite diagnostic code
Premature brake pad and rotor wear
Brake pads and rotors wear well before normal service intervals. Rear brakes wear excessively early. Noise and vibration accompany pad replacement.
When: 25,000 miles for rear brakes (expected life 60,000–80,000 miles); vibrations starting at 77,000 miles with original brakes
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes worn at 25,000 miles; Grooves observed in rear discs at 20,000 miles, completely worn by 25,000 miles; Loud squeaking noise after new pads/rotors installed, persisting after multiple replacement attempts; Vibrations when stopping at 77,000 miles; Rust spots on rotors
Repairs/costs cited: Rear rotors and pads replaced at 25,000 miles; front pads/rotors replaced and noise persisted; dealers declined warranty coverage citing normal wear variation and inability to determine pad metallics; owner suspects defective GM brake products
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated wear is normal and will not be covered under warranty; attributed noise to pad composition variation
Brakes locking or applying themselves
Brakes apply on their own without driver input or remain locked after driving, restricting truck movement. Occurs while parked or during driving.
When: Various mileages including 14,562 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Truck rolls forward despite brake engagement while parked; Brakes fail to respond to aggressive pedal depression; Truck sluggish, difficult to move as if parking brake engaged despite not being applied; Brakes apply themselves while driving; rotors very hot and burning smell evident; Brake system failure warning on dashboard; Electronic parking brake stuck in applied position
Repairs/costs cited: Towing required in some cases; one dealer unable to duplicate failure; another found no diagnosis after two days with no service codes present
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but no response in some cases; one failure could not be duplicated at dealer
Integrated trailer brake controller failure
Trailer brake controller shuts off all trailer brake output in response to a single trailer component failure (worn brake magnet) or wiring issue. Controller cuts power to trailer brakes even when truck brakes function normally, eliminating redundancy.
When: During towing at GCWR over 29,000 pounds; one instance while towing
Symptoms owners cite: 'Check trailer wiring' message displayed on DIC; All trailer brake output completely shut off by truck; Zero trailer brakes available at highway speed in traffic; Trailer brake controller disabled despite truck brakes functional
Repairs/costs cited: One trailer brake magnet wore down to coil; brake controller resolved by pulling breakaway pin and replacing worn magnet; owner notes modern integrated brake controller less safe than traditional controllers
Brake pedal vibration and noise
Brake pedal shakes and makes noise during slow stops or initial brake application. Occurs intermittently, not every stop.
When: Noticed on highway during road trip, then on city streets
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal makes noise when stopping slowly; Brake pedal shakes; driver can feel foot vibrating; Occurs about 4 times per stop cycle but not when coming to complete stop; Does not occur every time brakes are applied
Brake system electrical and communication faults
Loss of communication between brake control modules and other vehicle systems (ECM, TCM, Gateway). Occurs after dealer service or spontaneously, resulting in reduced braking capability.
When: At 2.5 miles after dealer service (fog light programming); variable mileages for other instances
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of brake assist immediately after leaving dealer; Extended stopping distance; Check engine light illuminated; Multiple communication loss codes present
Codes mentioned: P25A2 (Brake System Control Module Requested MIL Illumination), U0101 (Lost Communication with TCM), U0100 (Lost Communication with ECM/PCM), U0146 (Lost Communication with Gateway A)
Repairs/costs cited: GM dealer cleared codes; no repair completed; independent diagnosis found codes present
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no problems found and cleared codes
Synthesized from 52 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet silverado 1500. While the contact's wife was traveling through an intersection at an unknown rate of speed, the vehicle did not respond when the brake pedal was depressed. Also, the brake warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed not to drive the vehicle because the brakes were defective. The…
Drove to work no issues no lights after work I start the truck check engine light is on service ebrake light is on and the ebrake light is flashing truck will not move ebrake is stuck on and I did not set the brake when I parked
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 Chevrolet Silverado?
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 Silverado?
It's a meaningful issue. 52 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 2,640 and 64,000 miles, with the median around 14,562. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,640; a quarter make it past 64,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/Silverado.
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.