2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · MI · fire

We were traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour while towing our Coachmen Apex travel trailer with our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT equipped with the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine. During travel, we heard a loud popping sound originating from beneath the hood. There were no warning/engine lights or smell. Immediately afterward, we observed substantial smoke billowing from the front of the vehicle.We pulled off the highway as quickly as possible. Smoke began entering the passenger compartment through the ventilation system, and we observed flames beneath the hood. Recognizing the immediate danger, we evacuated the vehicle and removed our dog. We attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher; however, our efforts were unsuccessful. The fire spread rapidly, and within minutes, the truck became fully engulfed in flames. The speed and severity of the fire left us with very little time to escape. We are fortunate that we were able to get ourselves and our dog out of the vehicle. This was a frightening and traumatic experience that placed our lives at serious risk while traveling on a major interstate highway. The incident also raises serious concerns about the safety of this vehicle and the potential danger posed to its occupants, other motorists, and anyone traveling nearby. We purchased and meticulously maintained this vehicle with the reasonable expectation that it would provide safe, reliable transportation. Instead, our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT experienced a catastrophic fire while traveling at highway speeds and towing our travel trailer, resulting in the complete destruction of the vehicle. Although we were able to escape, this incident could have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. The rapid progression of the fire, combined with smoke entering the passenger compartment, raises significant concerns about vehicle safety and the time available for occupants to escape.

Filed Apr 27, 2026 · Engine · 131,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle lost automotive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was bluish-gray smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. After releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the sound became louder. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and metal shavings were found in the engine oil. Additionally, there was a misfire in several cylinders, the camshaft not operating properly, and the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2026 · Brakes · WI

Brakes applied on their own while driving. Before being able to stop the rotors both front and rear were very hot and the smell of burning brake pads was evident. Let the truck shit after getting off the side of the road for a bit. Brakes seemed to release started driving and the brakes applied themselves again. We slowly stop and go drove home a few miles on the side of the road with the flashers on.

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Electrical · SD · fire

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the rear of the vehicle caught fire. The fire was initially extinguished by a maintenance worker, and the fire department later applied water to the area to prevent the fire from reigniting. The fire department was unable to determine the cause of the fire, and a fire report was not provided. The contact was unaware whether a police report was filed. The vehicle was not destroyed or towed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear wiring harness had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact that the rear bumper and tailgate were damaged as a result of the failure and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jun 5, 2025 · Electrical, Seat belts · 100,000 miles · PA · fire

The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, he observed smoke emanating from the area of the vehicle between the cab and the bed, prompting him and the other occupants to quickly evacuate. Within moments, the vehicle caught fire and was engulfed in flames. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the fire. The contact was informed that fire investigators on scene determined that the fire had appeared to originate in the electrical system associated with the seat belt located behind the rear passenger side seat. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was likely to be deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V814000 (Seat Belts); the VIN was included, but the vehicle had already been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed May 11, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · MS

Transmission is changing out very hard in each gear. On tonight while I was driving, I lost speed on the interstate and when I push the accelerator, It was like back wheels were locked up. I left it at the next exit gas station and came back and towed it home. Lucky I was able to put hazard lights on and get off the side of the road but it was very slow speed. Yes I have had it look at certified dealer under Cheverolet. It was no warning light. I was going 65 and in a split second the rpm went up high and I was doing like 25. Once I finally made it to the gas station and got out the truck smell like a burning smell

Filed Jan 16, 2025 · Electrical · WI · fire

While changing a blown fuse for the instrument cluster, my truck unexpectedly caught fire, endangering my safety and causing significant damage to the vehicle. The fire started behind the passengers side fuse box within the wiring harness (GM# 84717166). The dealership determined that the failure was due to wire harness chafing on the thread side of a tie bar bolt. Due to General Motors not responding to their request for repair information via the TAC, they concluded that the bolt needed to be shorten in order to reduce the chafing. There were no warning signs or indications that this was going to or could occur. The burnt harness is available for inspection but the vehicle has been traded in due to no longer trusting how it was manufactured.

Filed Nov 14, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

On September 21, 2024 my Chevy 1500 series truck in the year was 2020. It was made caught on fire white driving it. We were returning from a trip pulling a trailer from Kentucky to Mansfield Ohio when we were on the highway. The transmission light/panel came across and said transmission need to engine idle. I drove it about 3 miles and pulled off on an exit at a gas station and did what it said after proximately 10 minutes. The message went off and cleared. we resume going home on our trip and we are 14 miles on the highway then we got off on our exit there’s no lights or no problems with the vehicle. I dropped off the first passenger and Lexington, Ohio, and then the second passenger lived about a half mile away , this time kept unloading their equipment. From Lexington to my home in Mansfield, Ohio the other passenger I was talking about the light transmission was weird and might’ve been just a sensor. As we pulled onto Home road all the panel lights started flashing and then a message came across and said engine is shutting down. I put in park off the engine, we exit the vehicle and smoke was coming out from underneath the truck. I reached into the center council to grab the cell phones and had faster call 911 and when I reached back into the truck were coming out from underneath the hood. I notified General Motors on September 23 and have been battling them to get an inspection done. after several months, they have finally agreed with insurance company on terms to investigate what caused the fire. That inspection is to Take Pl., December 4, 2024. I have recently just seen the recall article on GMC that came out on November 13. My truck is listed in the article as far as your make and model. This was a transmission problem that GM is trying to ignore and should be held accountable. Have video of when it caught on fire and how quickly it burned up.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · OH · fire

The truck caught on fire while I was returning from a trip out of state and then it appears it came from underneath either the transmission the engine or electrical. While returning home a message came on the panel on the highway, saying transmission, hot idle run I pulled off and did this and after about 15 minutes, the message light went off and I pursued Coming home nothing was wrong with the truck. After I dropped off to the passengers, I was on the way home and turned on home road and the message came on that says truck powering down all the lights came on the dashboard. I put the truck in park and shut the engine off had a manly open the doors and got out and smoke was rolling from underneath the truck. I grabbed the cell phones and told my passenger to call 911. I went back into the center of the cab to grab something out of the center council and flames came from underneath the hood up the glass of the windshield right in the middle of the truck. Backed away I called 911 again. Troy fire department responded in about six minutes. The truck was engulfed and gone. Ohio state patrol give me a claim number of [XXX] the instant [XXX]. There has been no problem with the truck or vehicle during the time I owned it. It was regularly service. It had 109667 miles on it. The truck was a 2020 Silverado from Bill Harris Ashland. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Electrical · GA · fire

Our 2020 Chevy 1500 Trail Boss was waiting for an ordered instrument cluster at service department. The surveillance camera, film the vehicle catch on fire after being parked for 2 days. The smoke started from the inside, and the vehicle engulfed in flames until the fire department came. After the fire was extinguished very little was left of the vehicle. Basically a frame and engine was the only thing left. The vehicle had a little over 70k miles.

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Electrical · WA · fire

A/C blower motor over heated and caught the electrical wires on fire under the dash. I had just left my house for work about 1 mile from home and the dash started smoking then a fire started under the passenger side glovebox parked the car in the middle of the street and I was able to exit the vehicle and put the fire out with a half bottle of water I had in the car. I then called 911 and I believe it was EAST Pierce fire department. They shortly arrived and confirmed it was an electrical fire and that there was no more heat coming from it. The fire department then gave me A ride home. The vehicle has been towed to Sunset Chevrolet in Sumner Washington where the Vehicle was purchased New in 2020.

Filed Oct 18, 2021 · Fuel system · MI

High Pressure fuel pump failed external fuel leaking onto exhaust of truck. Lucky the truck didn't catch on fire. Would have if I kept driving. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? High Pressure fuel pump (external leak) under GM warranty they have the parts. Flannery Chevrolet Bad Axe MI How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Gas leaking on Hot catalytic converter and cross over pipe. Skid plate was full of fuel. A fire under the truck would have made it very difficult to get out of the vehicle once stopped. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Towed vehicle to dealership and they diagnosed High Pressure fuel pump leaking. they replaced the pump and appears to he resolved now. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not that I know of. GM warranty covered repairs. Vehicle only has 13, 720 miles on it. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Driving down the road started to notice a really bad fuel smell and after stopped you could hear the fuel hissing as it dripped on exhaust pipe. Vehicle sat for 10 mins and had puddle of gas under the front of the transmission. Start the engine again and it continued to drip. I Called towing to come get it.