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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: engine knocking or ticking

41 of the 755 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints
41
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
84,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 371 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine · 11,450 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to shake, vibrate, and lose speed. An abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from the engine, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where the contact, a master mechanic, examined the vehicle. The contact diagnosed that the fuel management system, lifter springs, camshaft lifters, engine push rods, and rocker arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure described in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,450.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NM

Vehicle: 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 LT (5.3L V8 Engine) Component: Engine (Piston Rings, Lifters, and Motor Assembly) / Powertrain Component Availability: Yes, the failed components/vehicle are available for inspection upon request. What Happened and Safety Risk: While operating the vehicle on Prince Street in Clovis, NM, the engine suddenly began knocking violently without any prior warning or symptoms. Immediately following the mechanical failure, dashboard warning lights illuminated (including the Check Engine light, ABS, and Traction Control) and the vehicle dropped into "Reduced Engine Power" mode. This caused an immediate and hazardous loss of acceleration on an active roadway, forcing an emergency maneuver to navigate out of traffic and pull over safely. This sudden powertrain failure poses an unreasonable and severe safety risk to the driver and surrounding traffic. Confirmation and Inspections: The mechanical failure has been confirmed and diagnosed by Hamilton Chevy in Portales, New Mexico, and Sanders Repair Services in Portales, New Mexico. The vehicle and components have not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms of any kind prior to the sudden failure.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · 94,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the engine started knocking, and the sound grew louder while making a turn. The Electronic Stability Control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where one diagnostic trouble code was displayed, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a second local dealer, who retrieved a code for fuel injector number eight and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a third dealership, Knapp Chevrolet, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Engine · NE

while driving pulling a trailer with my kid in the car engine began knocking and lost power. upon investigation it was a failed lifter causing bent pushrod

Filed Jun 20, 2026 · Engine · CA

I am filing this complaint regarding a major engine failure in my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with the 5.3L V8 engine. At approximately 56,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a failed valve lifter, resulting in loud engine ticking, a check engine light, loss of power, and unsafe driving conditions. The vehicle was no longer operating properly and required immediate repair. Although the vehicle had been regularly maintained and had relatively low mileage for such a significant engine issue, I was informed that the failed lifter damaged the camshaft and related engine components, requiring extensive repairs. The total cost of the repair was $6,180, which I paid out of pocket. My Silverado was just outside Chevrolet's 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty period by time, despite having only 56,000 miles. A major internal engine failure should not occur on a well-maintained vehicle with such low mileage. After researching this issue, I discovered that lifter failures involving the Active Fuel Management (AFM) and Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) systems in GM's 5.3L engines have been widely reported by other Chevrolet Silverado owners. This indicates a potential design or manufacturing defect rather than normal wear and tear. I am requesting that General Motors provide reimbursement or goodwill assistance for all or a substantial portion of the $6,180 repair cost. I believe customers should not be responsible for paying thousands of dollars to repair a known issue on a low-mileage vehicle. I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed and resolved promptly.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Engine · 107,800 miles · SD

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly made knocking sounds. The Check Engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle experienced rough idling and a decrease in motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined the lifters had collapsed and bent the push rod. The push rod was replaced, but the newly installed part instantly bent. The mechanic informed the contact that the cam needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,800.

Filed Jun 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

While driving my truck it started flashing all the service lights on the dash, and then started shaking bad and making a loud ratcheting noise from the transfer case/transmission and a loud knock/tick from the engine. I scanned for codes and it has all loss of communication codes for engine/transmission/transfer case/brakes/steering

Filed May 20, 2026 · Transmission · GA

I had been driving my truck for multiple days, after a knocking sound suddenly started from under the hood. It was evident at any speed that wasn't idle. There were no check engine lights displayed on the dash. The sound was annoying enough that I took it in. According to the dealer technician, the transmission pump "completely detached" and was "rolling around inside the transmission." They found metal fragments in the transmission fluid, and they declared the transmission a total loss. I have no idea how my truck was still driving, but if the transmission really had failed so catastrophically, I was driving a ticking time bomb. What if it decided to completely give out while driving my kids to school as soon as I made a left turn across traffic?

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Engine · NY

September 2020 received new vehicle ( purchased platinum extended warranty at time of sale that expires 9/22/2027)-December 2022 heard loud ticking & misfires & check engine light on took to dealer who found #2 cylinder intake lifter collapsed at that time was under warranty (9924 miles) and dealer replaced not only damaged lifter but all lifters and guides (I have this repair invoice from 12/2022) On March 31 2026 (19,000 miles)ticking came back took silverado to dealer to be checked 4/3/26 they kept truck and had to take top of engine apart where they found that the #2 cylinder lifter has collapsed again the technician went ahead & replaced lifter before getting authorization from warranty company, GM or us to do repair dealer told us that they can put old damaged lifter back in truck & we can take truck back if we want- we are waiting for the inspector that warranty company wants to send to inspect the truck they still have truck 2 1/2 weeks later the warranty company wanted to see all receipts & log for all 7 oil changes which i gave to dealer 4/13/26 was passed to warranty company who accepted all & they want to send an independent inspector to see truck on 4/20/26 we are waiting to hear if he came This is a serious safety issue as this engine 6.2 (L87) Z71 has been prone to lifter failures since 2019, we only found this out now when the same lifter collapsed a second time & that this engine has been known to shut engine down while driving & severely damaging it & even possibly causing an accident If we get no satisfaction from dealer or warranty company as a next step we will be asking for a GM regional representative to come inspect the truck see the repeat lifter failure, open a case with a corporate representative & look into the Lemon Law as this is a recurring issue-- it also affects the value & resale value of our Silverado

Filed Apr 4, 2026 · Engine · MA

Engine started knocking, brought it to dealer, scoped cylinder number two and confirmed piston ring failure. New engine needed.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Engine · SC

I was driving at approximately 75 to 80MPH on the highway when my engine shutoff and the vehicle died while driving it. I was able to coast to the side of the road but had to cross two lanes to the left to do so while weaving in traffic to get to the shoulder of the road. There was no warning of any kind that would have made me aware of an issue prior to this happening. I was unable to get the vehicle started again and had to have it towed to my local dealership Hendricks Chevrolet in Columbia, SC. That occured on Saturday March 14th 2026, that Monday, I have had all regular and scheduled maintenance done to my vehicle either on time or prior to the recommended time including oil changes and the like. I went to the dealership and they told me that the engine had seized up and that this was a very well documented and common issue with the 6.2L L87 V8 Engine dating back to 2019 but that GM had only issued recalls on the 2021 - 2024 years to correct the issue. I asked the Service manager at Hendricks Chevrolet to file for a Goodwill Coverage request on my behalf to cover the repairs of the engine and he refused and stated that I had to do so through GM customer service line. I have done so since and my case number with GM is 92108267. My vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting the go ahead from GM to replace the engine. I have an extended warranty on my vehicle that goes to 120,000 miles and the issue occured at 114,113 miles. This is a very well documented case where the engine connecting rod bearings fail due to oil starvation that leads to engine seizure.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · MN

The engine started making a lot of knocking sounds and it has no oil pressure now. The shop says the engine needs to be replaced.

Questions about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 knocking

Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

41 of 755 owner complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (5%) mention engine knocking or ticking. The model year with the most reports is 2021.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 371 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Check engine light 142Engine failure 75Loss of power 70Shudder 45Jerking 38Transmission failure 30Harsh shifting 29Brake failure 28Misfire 28Power steering loss 27Stalling 27Hesitation 23Won't shift 21ABS 18Backup camera 18Warning lights 16Won't start 15Ball joint 14Fire or smoke 14Slipping 14Fuel pump 12Overheating 12Water leak 11Adaptive cruise 8No deployment 6Fuel leak 5Oil consumption 5Whining noise 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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