Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Sierra 2500HD years.
76 owner complaints, most about power train. 9 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD has 76 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2020 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Sierra 2500HD years only. How we score it
Is 2020 a good year for the Sierra 2500HD?
Across the 18 Sierra 2500HD model years we track, complaint volume runs from 32 (2023) to 471 (2008). With 76 complaints, the 2020 Sierra 2500HD sits about the same as the model's median of 76.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2020 Sierra 2500HD
latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Campaign 20V142000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The hood-latch striker wires may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Campaign 21V578000General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with a 17" spare tire (RPO ZHQ or ZXT) and either the 20" accessory road tire (RPO REM) or the 18" accessory road tire (RPO Q2V). Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" tires can prevent the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) from engaging.
seat belts
Campaign 20V792000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Campaign 20V446000General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Show 5 more recalls
seat belts:pretensioner
Campaign 19V814000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2020 Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles equipped with carpet floor covering. When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
structure:body:hood
Campaign 20V324000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles previously recalled under 20V-142. Some of the vehicles in 20V-324 were not part of Recall 20V-142 but received defect parts during another service (typically during collision repair). The hood-latch striker wires on replacement hoods installed for Safety Recall 20V-142 may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch
Campaign 24V060000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently unlatching while the vehicle is in park.
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 24V797000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 26V083000General Motors, LLC is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, 3500, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under recall 24V797. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year, powertrain choice, and intended use. Positive feedback centers on the truck's capability, towing comfort, and the refined ride quality of the independent front suspension, particularly in newer models.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sierra 2500HD. See the full Sierra 2500HD owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Sierra 2500HD listings typically run $20,994–$45,465 across 2002 to 2024 model years.
Other Sierra 2500HD model years
Compare every Sierra 2500HD year side by side to see how 2020 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Sierra 2500HD against its rivals
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