2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Common Problems
Ranked from 235 federal NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
24 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Knocking and Seizure
90complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine produces a knocking sound and may seize, leading to loss of power and engine failure.
- 2
Transmission Failure and Loss of Power
57complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails, leading to loss of power and difficulty in shifting gears, posing a safety risk.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 24V797000, 26V083000
- 3
Engine Misfire and Knocking
28complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences misfires, knocking, and reduced performance, often accompanied by check engine light illumination.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Valve Train Failure
16complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine experiences valve train failures, including failed lifters and bent pushrods, leading to engine misfires and reduced performance.
- 5
Transmission Shifting Issues
13complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission frequently skips gears, misses shifts, and experiences hard shifts, causing the vehicle to vibrate and lose power.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 24V797000, 26V083000
- 6
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
12complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially during stop-start conditions.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 7
Water Intrusion and Sealing Defects
11complaintsHigh severityOtherWater leaks into the cabin through various components, leading to water damage and potential safety hazards.
- 8
Engine Lifter Issues
8complaintsHigh severityEngineLifters fail, causing engine misfires, knocking, and reduced power.
- 9
Engine Loss of Power and Check Engine Light
8complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine loses power and the check engine light illuminates, indicating potential engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine Failure During Highway Driving
7complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails suddenly during highway driving, leading to loss of power and potential loss of control.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine Stall and Misfire
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls or misfires, often accompanied by a loud noise or warning lights, requiring immediate attention.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Ticking and Knocking at Idle
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a ticking and knocking sound at idle, indicating potential internal engine issues.
- 13
Transmission Shudder and Erratic Shifting
4complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission shudders and shifts erratically, leading to hard downshifts and vibrations.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 24V797000, 26V083000
- 14
Transmission Slipping and Jerking
4complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission slips and jerks, leading to delayed shifting and reduced propulsion.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 24V797000, 26V083000
- 15
Power Steering Failure
3complaintsHigh severitySteeringThe power steering system fails unexpectedly, making it extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel, often without warning lights or codes.
$200–$1,500est. power-steering / eps repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 16
Electrical Harness Failure
2complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe wiring harness in the engine area fails, potentially causing a fire hazard.
Related recall: 19V888000
- 17
Electrical System Wiring Harness Issues
2complaintsMedium severityElectricalThe electrical system wiring harness is too close to the engine, causing it to burn and leading to power loss and other electrical issues.
$300–$1,500est. wiring harness repair · 2–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V888000
- 18
Engine Failure Leading to Complete Shutdown
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails completely, causing the vehicle to lose all power and become unresponsive.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Engine Seizure Due to Lack of Oil Pressure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine seizes due to a lack of oil pressure, rendering the vehicle undriveable.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 20
Intermittent Power Loss at Highway Speeds
2complaintsMedium severityFuel systemThe vehicle loses power intermittently at highway speeds, accompanied by a tapping sound from the front passenger side.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V837000
- 21
Steering Module Failure
2complaintsHigh severitySteeringMultiple instances of steering wheel seizing and loss of power steering.
- 22
Suspension Control Arm Failure
2complaintsMedium severitySuspensionControl arms and ball joints failing, causing sudden loss of vehicle control and potential rollover.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Timing Chain Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe timing chain fails, resulting in engine misfires and potential engine damage.
$900–$2,500est. timing chain/phaser service · 5–12 hrs laborGet local quotes - 24
Transmission Control Malfunction
2complaintsMedium severityTransmissionThe transmission exhibits abnormal shifting behavior and drivability issues.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 24V797000, 26V083000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.