NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 GMC Sierra 2500 Safety Record
The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 9 recalls and 72 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 has not been subjected to NHTSA's full crash-test regimen, meaning no overall safety rating, frontal crash rating, side crash rating, or rollover risk percentage can be assessed. Without these critical data points, no definitive conclusion regarding crashworthiness is possible. The vehicle record does, however, document a substantial recall history with 9 separate campaigns. These address issues ranging from powertrain software irregularities and tailgate latch malfunctions to seat belt and tire concerns. Additionally, the Sierra 2500 has accumulated 72 unverified owner complaints.
The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 was not crash-tested by NHTSA and carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band across 9 recall campaigns, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 9 |
| Owner complaints | 72 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500?
The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 has not been rated for crashworthiness by NHTSA. Buyers seeking crash-test data for this model year will not find it; NHTSA has published results for the 2019, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Sierra 2500, but these do not apply to the 2020 model. The 2020 Sierra 2500 falls into the Heavy recall and complaint burden band, reflecting 9 recall campaigns and 72 unverified NHTSA complaints. The recall record indicates regulatory attention to the powertrain, with two separate software campaigns for automatic transmission control modules. A powered tailgate latch recall affects a broad multi-year production window, including this model year. A specific recall targets 2020 and 2021 Sierra 2500 trucks with 17-inch spare tires; owners should confirm this by VIN. Powertrain issues lead the complaint categories, with 22 reported allegations. The record also contains 3 alleged fire incidents, which, despite being unverified, warrant scrutiny.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 have any recalls?
The 9 recall campaigns for this model year touch four distinct safety areas: automatic transmission control module software (addressed in two separate campaigns), powered tailgate latch mechanisms, an undersized 17-inch emergency spare tire, and front seat belt hardware. NHTSA has not issued a park-outside or do-not-drive advisory visible in the data provided, but owners should verify current open-recall status by VIN at nhtsa.gov, as advisory language can be updated.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE26V083000
Risk: Rear wheel lock up increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and update the transmission control software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 6, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252516560. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on Febr
Reported 2026-02-12
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V797000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-80
Reported 2024-10-24
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH24V060000
Risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232426400.
Reported 2024-02-01
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE21V578000
Risk: An ABS system that cannot control the rear wheels independently increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide the appropriate spare tire and apply a new spare tire information label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212329780.
Reported 2021-07-29
SEAT BELTS20V792000
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Reported 2020-12-17
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR20V446000
Risk: If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
Reported 2020-07-30
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD20V324000
Risk: If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. For hoods sold over the counter, dealers will contact customers with instructions for hood replacement. The recall began July 7, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202306490.
Reported 2020-06-04
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH20V142000
Risk: If a striker wire fractures, the hood may open unexpectedly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood assembly, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192284960.
Reported 2020-03-12
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER19V814000
Risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will close off the opening in the pretensioner bracket, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192270600.
Reported 2019-11-14
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500?
Seventy-two unverified owner allegations have been filed with NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently reported components are the power train at 22 reports, unknown or other issues at 16, electrical system at 12, service brakes at 12, engine at 10, and steering at 6. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects, and include 1 reported crash, 3 reported fires, and 1 reported injury.
72 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500?
Purchasers of a used 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 should verify recall clearance for the specific vehicle by checking its 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov. This model year has been subject to 9 recall campaigns. Dealers perform recall repairs without charge to the owner.
- The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so no Safety Index or star ratings exist for this specific model year; the absence of a rating is a data gap, not a safety verdict.
- Two separate NHTSA recall campaigns target the automatic transmission control module software on this model year, indicating the system drew regulatory attention more than once.
- A spare tire recall is specific to 2020 and 2021 Sierra 2500 trucks equipped with a 17-inch spare tire; owners should confirm by VIN whether this campaign has been completed on their vehicle.
- Seventy-two unverified NHTSA complaints include 3 alleged fire incidents and 1 alleged crash, with power train, electrical system, and service brakes among the most frequently cited components.
FAQ2020 GMC Sierra 2500 safety questions
Was the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 9 recalls and 72 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 9 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 72 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Sierra 2500 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the GMC Sierra 2500 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.