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2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems

55 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 11,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
55
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
11,000
crashes
3
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Antilock
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems in other years

1996200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Brake failure 14ABS 11

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliperReported February 27, 2020 · 20,352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑866‑522‑9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.

Recall number 20V116000 · Recall details

What 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 7, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NC

Lifter failed due to AFM system. Cyl 8 misfire due to oil fouling. The onboard computer got confused and would not release the parking brake until repeated attemtps to release it. 5.3L V8 2020 model year 115250 miles. Isn't this the same problem as the 2021 and newer engines? 8spd transmission. AFM failure. $9k repair.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 45,000 miles · OR

The contact’s mother-in-law owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her brother-in-law was starting the vehicle, the brake, service engine, and engine warning lights illuminated and the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Action Number: EA25007 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING) and PE25001 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The owner was scheduled to meet with the dealer to discuss the issue. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there were no open recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · 80,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the vehicle previously experienced brake failure, sensor failure, and glow plug failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The BBB referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NV

The brakes suddenly activate and cause the vehicle to rapidly stop with no warning of any kind and without any braking action being taken by the driver. Then, the brakes do not release and the vehicle cannot be moved as the brakes remain on. Turning the engine off and then restarting it or shifting to other gears does not release the brakes. The vehicle remains immobile and cannot be driven. After a few hours have passed, like overnight, the brakes release and the vehicle can started and driven just as if nothing had happened. A message briefly appears on the vehicle information screen each time this inadvertent braking occurs. It reads, “Brake Failure System”. These brake lockdowns occurred when driving on streets and in the driveway. No accident resulted but could have easily occurred. This is dangerous for a driver and occupants of a vehicle with this safety flaw as well as for other people and vehicles in the vicinity. This has happened five times. The last two instances resulted in the vehicle being loaded onto a tow truck and taken to a dealer of the vehicle’s manufacture. Thus far the dealership has not found what may be causing this intermittent braking problem.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 107,787 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the check engine warning light and the brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that all the engine lifters and the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: EA25007 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer offered to partially cover the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 107,787.

Filed Nov 15, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · TX

First my torque converter went out, no warning lights only shaking wehn shifting, I got it replaced already it cost me $2400 Second Warning light service for Brakes, Traction and power steering come on and off. And sometimes truck doesn't brake well and steering wheel feels hard to drive, it has happened while on expressway with family. Third Engine oil low Add oil warning sign comes up alot and I have to add oil, engine has a rough idle now, also when I turn truck on smoke comes out while having a rough idle, recently it started knocking, I haven't moved the truck since than

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Brakes · CA

On Monday, [XXX], at about 1730 hours was traveling Southbound at 45mph on [XXX] approaching the [XXX] intersection. Vehicle alerted to the following codes on the dash; ESCAPE, Traction Control, Check Engine Light, Brake System Failure, "Do not exceed 62 MPH". I took foot off accelerator and looked up and noticed the traffic light turning red. I applied pressure to the brake and noticed there was no brake pressure at all, and the vehicle continued to roll forward towards the intersection. I put the truck in low gear to slow and continued to pump the brake rapidly. As the truck gradually slowed I turned truck off until it came to a stop. When I restarted the truck the brake hydraulic pressure returned and only the check engine light remained on. I took the truck to Reliable GMC in the Roseville Automall the next morning. The service department claimed the AGM Battery was bad and caused the front brake caliper sensor to throw a low voltage code causing a cascade event of codes throughout the system. The loss of my brakes nearly caused me to enter an intersection unwillingly and could have led to a serious accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 93,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35-40 MPH and hauling a trailer in stop-and-go traffic, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, and the vehicle started losing power. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The parking brake was engaging and disengaging independently. After turning off the vehicle and waiting for approximately 15-20 minutes, the vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove to the nearest independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, it was determined that the repair had not resolved the failure. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle's cylinder #4 failure. The mechanic was in the process of determining whether the lifter or camshaft had failed. The mechanic determined that the engine might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 65,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was started, the check engine, brake system, and another unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the messages brake system failure, steering wheel failure, low oil, and two other unknown messages were displayed. The contact also stated that the rear-view camera remained displayed while shifted into drive, and the instrument panel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Was driving down the freeway around 65 miles an hour attempted to pass a truck when the steering started wobbling the ABS that EMS and the breaking system came on with the check engine light almost had no control and barely avoided having an accident the only way it went back to normal was slowing down.

Questions about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes

Does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 55 complaints about the brakes of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 11% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 11,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 20V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the GMC Sierra 1500 have bad brakes?

The GMC Sierra 1500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2015 (229 complaints), 2014 (144 complaints) and 2000 (131 complaints).

Other 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Engine 260Transmission 99Electrical 81Steering 38Driver assistance 27Fuel system 27Suspension 18Visibility 15Body 13Acceleration 12Airbags 6Lights 3Seat belts 2Tires 2Locks 1Wheels 1

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