GMC Sierra problems
433 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
- Electrical system: 50 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 6,400–80,000 mi
- Steering: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,500–20,500 mi
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — 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 GMC Sierra? 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
- engine — 155 owner reports · tends to show around 75,405 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 82 owner reports · tends to show around 67,004 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 50 owner reports · tends to show around 40,750 mi · ~$850 to fix
- steering — 37 owner reports · tends to show around 28,787 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 40,750 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: 7.0/10 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 GMC Sierra
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 GMC Sierra
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.
- ~10,300 misteering~$700
- ~15,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~44,000 mibrakes~$450
- ~75,450 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~76,000 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
Car was idling and parked. Warning code showed up on dashboard ESC, electronic stability control, reduced engine power. Vehicle then displayed transmission disruption, warning light displayed as well. I was able to drive it to the dealership but the performance of the vehicle…
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 GMC sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road and down an embankment before crashing to the ground. During the crash the vehicle sustained severe damage to the…
i was stopped at a red light and when the light turned green I accelerated and the vehicle shut off and then came back on. when the vehicle came on i had a service esc light and a system break failure warning telling me not to exceed 62mph. i made it back to my house driving…
I started to notice changes in performance around 75k miles. Seemed like performance was subpar compared to what was the norm. Seemed to lose some power. Minimal at first, more so just recently around 90k. Oil consumption was starting to accelerate at each oil change at 75k,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 GMC Sierra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 433 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 GMC Sierra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2020 GMC Sierra?
The 2020 GMC Sierra is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 50 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 6,400–80,000 mi; Steering: 37 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 3,500–20,500 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — 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 GMC Sierra?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 155 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,405 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 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 GMC Sierra a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 433 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 75,405 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 GMC Sierra?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 155 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,405 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 75,405 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 433 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, 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.