NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 has 9 recalls, the most serious being a transmission control valve that can cause the rear wheels to lock up without warning, raising the risk of a crash.
Two separate recall filings cover this transmission issue, including one where a prior repair attempt did not fully resolve the problem. A related hood latch concern also spans multiple filings: the latch striker wire can fracture and allow the hood to fly open while driving. When front seatbelt pretensioners deploy in a crash, hot gas can vent through the pretensioner bracket and ignite the carpet in vehicles with carpet floor covering, potentially causing a fire inside the cabin.
On the safety equipment side, the roof-rail curtain airbag inflator has a diffuser component that can separate during deployment, reducing the airbag's ability to protect occupants. The front-row center seatbelt bracket may not be secured to the seat frame, meaning the belt may not hold an occupant in a crash. On vehicles equipped with a 17-inch spare tire paired with larger accessory road tires, the mismatched sizes can prevent the anti-lock brakes from controlling the rear wheels independently. Finally, on trucks with power-unlatching tailgates, 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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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 17-inch spare tire installed on these vehicles may not work properly with the 20-inch or 18-inch road tires, which can prevent the anti-lock braking system from functioning.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the correct spare tire and attach an updated spare tire information label at no cost.
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.