The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2020 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado is better than average by owner complaints: 301 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 54, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 15 to 27 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 892 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 77K miles on the car (255 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 17K–94K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 4K–84K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–63K miles
Recalls 16
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock up.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- latches/locks/linkages 2024
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.
Show all 16 recalls
- tires 2021
The 17" spare tire provided with the vehicle is not compatible for use with the accessory wheels, which can cause the anti-lock brake system (ABS) to not function properly under certain conditions.
- tires 2021
Operating the spare tire with other 20" or 18" tires can prevent the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) from engaging.
- tires 2021
The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- seat belts 2020
The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
- tires 2020
The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
One of the driveshaft joints may not have been properly welded, causing the driveshaft to separate while the vehicle is moving.
- airbags 2020
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.
- body structure 2020
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).
- latches/locks/linkages 2020
The hood-latch striker wires may not have been heat-treated properly, possibly causing them to fracture.
- brakes 2020
The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
- electrical 2019
The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection between the B+ cable and alternator.
- fuel system, gasoline 2019
The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
- seat belts 2019
When the front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas may vent through an opening in the pretensioner bracket, possibly igniting the carpet.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1993 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Concern of a vibration or drone around 40 MPH
- This Preliminary information communicates that engineering hasdevelopeda repair for a chirp…
- SES lamp with any of the following DTCP06DA
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
- ClosedLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
- ClosedAir bag malfunction2021–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–5300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Inoperable infotainment system / backup camera / radio / onstar. Upon starting vehicle, screen stays black and none of the aforementioned systems will operate.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 11351153
More owner reports
Backup camera is completely washed out at night and during the day is fuzzy and out of Focus. Dealer says this is normal. Its a safety its a safety hazard to me.
NHTSA complaint 11365199
ABS light came on during breaking to avoid an accident and did not break the vehicle at all. Now there is a alert on the Driver Information Center(DIC) stating a break system failure.
NHTSA complaint 11469093
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2020 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (24%), electrical (20%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado have?
16 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado get?
15 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,500 and 77,200 miles. The middle report was at 28,000 miles, from 255 complaints.
Does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $5300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works