2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 17%of 42 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 17% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,750 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 inside the drum. This same condition was found on 3 of the 4 brake shoes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11552780, filed 2023-10“During operation of the vehicle at approximately 45mph and sudden stopping/ breaking is required, truck fails to do so. It is a partial loss of brake pressure and a loud whale cry type sound that appears to be coming from under the hood. I have had it happen twice just recently; I have taken to dealer, and they cannot replicate the issue. I have caught the sound the second time on video. To summarize truck loses partial breaking power, pedal does not bottom out, but it feels like there is not as much pressure being applied to the breaks when needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11636906, filed 2025-01“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 Chevrolet service they said they have no idea what could have caused this. Then a couple weeks later I get an open recall with no remedy. What am I suppose to do?”
NHTSA complaint #11629809, filed 2024-12“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 frequently over the past 3 months. Imagine driving down a hill with a 15K pound rv pushing you and there are NO brakes on the 5th wheel. It is extremely scary and dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #11609553, filed 2024-08“I purchased a certified pre-owned 2020 Chevy Silverado 3500HD (6.6 Gas) November 2021. Within the next few weeks, I noticed brake squeaking that kept getting worse and the truck braking system would not stop like the 2500 I had traded in when I purchased the 3500HD. I had to adjust the trailer brake gain control up to as high as 9 or 9.5, should not have to adjust that high. I had trouble stopping at intersections and quick /emergency braking situations while pulling our trailer. This tells me the truck braking system is not working properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11521535, filed 2023-05Related service bulletins
- 11017173Mar 21, 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This 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.
- 11013242Jan 17, 2025This informational bulletin advises the technician to check for faults that may be caused by the trailer otherwise found by a possible faulty trailer connector.
- 11012938Jan 9, 2025This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about customers that may request the factory Integrated Trailer Brake Controller Regular…
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This 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.
- 11011018Oct 22, 2024This informational bulletin provides an optional repair using a different set of brakes that may correct the customers concern of Early Brake Wear in Harsh Environments.
- 11009463Sep 25, 2024This service bulletin provides repair information to correct customer concerns of Rear Wheel Lock Up, ABS Event, Loud Bang and a Flashing “D” on Driver Information Center (DIC)…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 25% |
| 2024 | 12 | 24% |
| 2022 | 4 | 14% |
| 2021 | 5 | 12% |
| 2020 | 7 | 17% |
| 2019 | 3 | 14% |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% |
| 2016 | 10 | 20% |
| 2015 | 10 | 19% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 4% |
| 2011 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 10% |
| 2006 | 17 | 33% |
| 2005 | 17 | 37% |
| 2004 | 21 | 51% |
| 2003 | 24 | 57% |
| 2002 | 23 | 46% |
| 2001 | 37 | 51% |
| 2000 | 38 | 48% |
| 1999 | 22 | 47% |
| 1998 | 24 | 36% |
| 1997 | 26 | 43% |
Other parts of the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
16 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology