Good truck, but check the engine and transmission
The 2020 Silverado is close to the model average. Watch for engine failures linked to the 5.3L V8's lifters and for transmission shudder. Both show up more after 50,000 miles.
Updated November 2026 · based on 751 owner complaints and 12 recalls
181 close to the Silverado 1500 average
12 free to fix at a dealer
Every Silverado 1500 year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2020 Silverado 1500
Top problems and what they cost
Lifter failure on the 5.3L V8
Lifters in the cylinder deactivation system can collapse, causing ticking, misfires and in some cases engine failure.
Fix: Lifter replacement $2,500 to $4,500; engine $7,000 or more.
Engine
Transmission shudder and slipping
Shimmy around 60 mph and slipping gears.
Fix: Fluid flush $250 to $400; torque converter $1,500 to $2,500.
Transmission
Dead battery
Some owners report dead batteries with no cause.
Fix: Battery $200 to $300.
Electrical
Recalls
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss.
An intermittent electrical connection between the B+ battery cable and the alternator could cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of inju...
Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to par...
If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Show all 12 recalls
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
An ABS system that does not function properly can increase the risk of a crash.
If the driveshaft separates, there may be a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of crash.
Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- Confirm all recalls show as repaired, including the fuel pump (19V837) and seat belt recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2020 Silverado 1500 has 12 recalls on record, listed below.
- Listen for ticking at idle and check for misfires.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 93 complaints about lifter failure and engine ticking on the 2020 Silverado 1500, one of the worst years for it.
- Feel for shudder around 60 mph.A shudder feels like driving over rumble strips. It usually points to a worn torque converter or transmission, which can be expensive to fix.Owners filed 42 complaints about transmission shudder and harsh shifting on the 2020 Silverado 1500.
Questions
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Good truck, but check the engine and transmission. The 2020 Silverado is close to the model average. Watch for engine failures linked to the 5.3L V8's lifters and for transmission shudder. Both show up more after 50,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
12 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
Lifter failure on the 5.3L V8; Transmission shudder and slipping; Dead battery.
Crash rating shown for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.