2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 11%of 484 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 11% of the 484 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After having all sorts of warnings over time like service ESC, service parking brake, and more, I now see brake system failure: 62 MPH top speed flash across my dash. I am reading and hearing that this is a very dangerous problem. New truck. Brand new. Had it less than a year. Brake message always on start up.”
NHTSA complaint #11382957, filed 2020-12, 6,400 miles“My truck tuesday march 16th had me update software as soon as I got to work, after it was done I got out of my truck and it would not lock with push button or fob. When I got into my truck to go home 10hrs later it made a bunch of clicking noises and after a minute it showed update complete on screen then started. The very next day I drove back to work which is 22 miles. When I took my truck to lunch three blocks away I had ESC service light and service parking brake accompanied by check engine light. …”
NHTSA complaint #11403691, filed 2021-03, 20,500 miles“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 was limited by the reduced engine power. Transmission was hesitating and clunky during gear changes. My sierra has 5,000 miles on it and the transmission was already replaced at 2,000 miles. Gmc has a serious problem with this make and model. …”
NHTSA complaint #11385700, filed 2020-12, 5,000 miles“Everything was fine for about 6 months after having purchased vehicle as new. Then I got warning lights asking me to both service the parking break and service ESC with a warning that driving would be compromised just over 60mph. I notified dealer who says they fixed the glitch but it happened again. The last time, most recently, I tried to start the truck the next day and all the warning lights came on. This was followed by a complete shut down. No engine, no lights - not even lock/unlock with key fob. It had to be towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360829, filed 2020-09, 5,000 miles“I was going about 15 miles per hour when suddenly all these error codes started popping up, first ESC malfunction then trailer brake malfunction,stabilitrak, steering assist reduced, brake system fail, lighs just pop up I do feel like the truck looses some power feels more sluggish, I took it to dealership, they recalibrated the break system and stuff, it fixed the issue temporarily, but the lights keep coming back, sometimes I turn the truck on in the morning and lights are gone, then later on I get all the error codes again while driving it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11310853, filed 2020-02, 300 milesRelated recalls
- 20V116000Feb 27, 2020General 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…Covers: GMC Sierra 1500 2020, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2020
Related service bulletins
- 11024378Sep 6, 2025This service bulletin advises the technician of a possible loose ground that may be causing customer concerns of Loss of Steering Assist and/or Loss of Brake Assist and…
- 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…
- 11012932Jan 7, 2025This Preliminary information communicates an issue with premature brake pad life and engineering is working on release new pad lining material.
- 11011382Nov 15, 2024This Preliminary information communicates an issue with premature brake pad life and engineering is working on release new pad lining material.
- 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.
- 11011210Oct 30, 2024This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear calipers if found packed for of mud and debris.
- 11009113Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates an issue with premature brake pad life and engineering is working on release new pad lining material.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3% |
| 2025 | 7 | 6% |
| 2024 | 11 | 3% |
| 2023 | 17 | 3% |
| 2022 | 30 | 5% |
| 2021 | 25 | 4% |
| 2020 | 55 | 11% |
| 2019 | 114 | 17% |
| 2018 | 44 | 14% |
| 2017 | 108 | 30% |
| 2016 | 106 | 31% |
| 2015 | 229 | 32% |
| 2014 | 144 | 19% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 25 | 10% |
| 2006 | 67 | 46% |
| 2005 | 50 | 28% |
| 2004 | 67 | 32% |
| 2003 | 105 | 58% |
| 2002 | 127 | 77% |
| 2001 | 108 | 77% |
| 2000 | 131 | 72% |
| 1999 | 103 | 65% |
| 1998 | 18 | 31% |
| 1997 | 18 | 22% |
| 1996 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
245 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsSteering
38 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsForward collision avoidance
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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