NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 8 recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500.
Powertrain complaints dominate what owners report for the 2020 Silverado 3500, with the transmission drawing the most attention by a wide margin. Owners frequently describe sudden transmission failure at highway speeds, loss of propulsion, gear slippage, and complete inability to engage gears, typically with no warning beforehand. A recurring detail involves the truck locking up or losing drive while towing heavy loads, sometimes accompanied by the drive indicator flashing on the instrument cluster during downshifts. Several owners report the truck becoming inoperable and requiring a tow after the event. Tires and service brakes each account for a smaller but equal share of complaints, though the narratives in those categories are less concentrated around a single symptom. The transmission pattern, particularly the abrupt loss of drive at speed, is the clearest thread running through this complaint set.
38
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
By System
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has 8 recalls, the most serious being a transmission control valve that can cause the rear wheels to lock up without warning, sharply raising the risk of a crash.
Two of these transmission recalls are linked: one covers the original defect in diesel-equipped trucks, and a separate filing addresses vehicles where a prior repair attempt did not fully resolve the problem. On the hood side, the latch striker wires can fracture and allow the hood to fly open while driving, and a follow-up recall captures trucks that received defective parts during collision repair rather than the original service campaign. The front seatbelt pretensioners present a fire risk on vehicles with carpet floor covering, as hot gas venting during deployment can ignite the carpet. The curtain airbag inflators have a component that can break loose during deployment, reducing the airbag's ability to protect occupants in a crash. The front-row center seatbelt bracket may not be properly secured to the seat frame, leaving that position without reliable restraint in a crash. On trucks equipped with a power-unlatching tailgate, water intrusion can short the release switch and cause the tailgate to open on its own, dropping cargo onto the road.
At a glance
What can fail
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
The transmission control valve may not have been repaired correctly under a previous recall, causing it to fail and lock up the rear wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle and update the transmission control software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control valve may fail, causing the rear wheels to lock up unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install updated transmission control module software and repair or replace defective control valves as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can get inside the tailgate's electronic release switch and cause it to short circuit, making the tailgate unlatch on its own while parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assembly at no cost to fix the electrical short and prevent unintended unlatching.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt brackets in the front-row center seating position may not be properly secured to the seat frame, reducing their ability to restrain occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket attachments on both sides and reassemble them correctly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The diffuser on the roof-rail air bag inflator may not be properly crimped and could separate during air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Hood-latch striker wires on replacement hoods may not be properly heat-treated, causing them to crack or break.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the hood assembly at no cost. For counter-sale hoods, dealers will contact owners with replacement instructions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wires in the hood latch may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause them to crack or break.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the entire hood assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When front seat belt pretensioners deploy, hot gas vents through an opening in the bracket and may ignite the carpet floor covering.
What the fix does
Dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket to prevent hot gas from reaching the carpet.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.