2020 GMC Sierra 1500: reliability, problems and cost to own
Think twiceWell below average
It scores 18 out of 100 for reliability compared with other half-ton pickups. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $23,882 to own, including $8,917 in repairs.
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Where repair money is likely to go
Engine & cooling$4,738
Transmission & drivetrain$2,947
Electrical system$320
Steering$293
Driver-assist & stability$194
Brakes$184
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Recalls
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module › SoftwareFeb 13, 2026 · campaign 26V083000
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 lock up.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module › SoftwareOct 24, 2024 · campaign 24V797000
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 cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 vehicles equipped with certain accessory road tires and a 17" spare tire. The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
TiresFeb 25, 2021 · campaign 21V115000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cu
Seat BeltsDec 17, 2020 · campaign 20V792000
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 frame in the front-row center seating position.
TiresNov 5, 2020 · campaign 20V684000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 and 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 trucks. One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
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 crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › CaliperFeb 27, 2020 · campaign 20V116000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
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 in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Yes. It scores 18 out of 100, among the least reliable half-ton pickups of 2015–2024. The 2015, 2016 and 2017 Sierra 1500 scored much better.
Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
It scores 18 out of 100 against other half-ton pickups from 2015 to 2024, which is well below average. Based on 484 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $8,917 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
How much does a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 cost to own?
About $23,882 over 5 years: $5,251 in lost value, $8,917 in repairs and $9,714 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $29,641 today.
What are the best years of the GMC Sierra 1500?
Of the years we rate, the 2016 scores best (80/100) and the 2024 worst (4/100).
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have?