2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD: common problems and reliability

The 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD has 45 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system. Owners most often flag transmission failures (10-speed automatic) — valve body and control module failures, parts on national backorder, affects newer models (2020+). frequency: recurrent.

Safety record for the 2020 model year

45
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
4
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

power train
18
electrical system
9
service brakes
7
engine
5
fuel/propulsion system
5

Recalls affecting the 2020 Sierra 3500HD

latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Campaign 20V142000

General 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 fr…

seat belts

Campaign 20V792000

General 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…

air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator

Campaign 20V446000

General 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 c…

seat belts:pretensioner

Campaign 19V814000

General 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. Whe…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. There is a strong, positive consensus regarding the long-term durability and capability of older generations, particularly the 2001-2007 models with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmiss

  • Transmission failures (10-speed automatic) — Valve body and control module failures, parts on national backorder, affects newer models (2020+). Frequency: recurrent.
  • Engine problems (newer models) — Issues with lifters, cam phasers, and crankshafts mentioned in the context of GM full-size trucks; diesel injector failure and smoking on high-mileage older Duramax engines. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Electrical system faults — Intermittent issues causing doors to lock/unlock, airbag/stabilitrak lights, instrument panel resets, and engine power loss (2013 model); specific problem with negative battery cable causing a short (2013 model); park assist/exhaust brake button backlight failure (2013 model). Frequency: recurrent.
  • Interior quality issues — Fake leather seat material peeling, tailgate liner popping, tailgate button failures on newer high-trim (e.g., Denali) models. Frequency: isolated.
  • Unknown engine "ticking" noise — Mentioned in a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) dating to 2018, present on a 2023 model, described as a persistent noise at idle that the dealer acknowledged but did not fix. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Sierra 3500HD.

Typical used price

Used Sierra 3500HD listings typically run $36,576–$50,193 across 2008 to 2024 model years.

Other Sierra 3500HD model years

2024 Sierra 3500HD2017 Sierra 3500HD2015 Sierra 3500HD2011 Sierra 3500HD2007 Sierra 3500HD
Full GMC Sierra 3500HD owner reportCompare against another car