NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 Safety Record
The 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 8 recalls and 45 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 carries no star ratings from the federal program, as NHTSA has not crash-tested this specific model year. This absence of crash-test data precludes the calculation of a Safety Index. Instead, an assessment of its recall and complaint record places it in the Heavy burden band. This classification signifies a meaningful administrative and safety-system footprint for the 2020 Sierra 3500. The record details 8 recall campaigns addressing critical components such as the powertrain, tailgate latch, seat belts, and side curtain airbags. Furthermore, 45 owner complaints have been registered, including reports of crashes and injuries. It is important to note that the Heavy burden band reflects the volume and nature of these issues, but it is not a substitute for comprehensive crash-test data. The lack of federal crash-test results should not be interpreted as either a reassurance or a warning regarding the vehicle's structural crash performance.
The 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 was not crash-tested by NHTSA and carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, with 8 recall campaigns on record, 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 | 8 |
| Owner complaints | 45 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500?
A designation of Heavy in NHTSA's recall and complaint burden band marks the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500, with 8 recall campaigns and 45 owner complaints filed against it. This places it among vehicles requiring substantial administrative oversight. The recall record demonstrates broad safety concerns, including two separate campaigns for automatic transmission control module software, one for the powered tailgate latch specific to 2500 and 3500 trucks, one for seat belts, and another for side curtain airbag inflators. Owner complaints focus heavily on the powertrain, which accounts for 18 of the 45 reported issues. The electrical system and service brakes also contribute significantly to the complaint volume. The most recent complaint filing in mid-2025 indicates an active record. There are no crash-test ratings available for this model year. The Heavy burden band is an administrative classification, not a reflection of crash performance.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
The 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 is covered by 8 recall campaigns. Components addressed include the automatic transmission control module software, the powered tailgate latch, seat belts, and side curtain air bag inflators. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the campaign summaries provided, but owners should verify current remedy and parking guidance for each open campaign through the NHTSA VIN lookup, as instructions can be updated after a recall is issued.
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
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 3500?
Owners have filed 45 unverified complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. These are unconfirmed consumer allegations, not established facts. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the powertrain, reported in 18 complaints, followed by the electrical system at 9, service brakes at 7, and the engine and fuel or propulsion system each cited in 5 complaints. The complaint record also includes 4 alleged crashes and 4 alleged injuries.
45 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500?
A noteworthy 8 recall campaigns have been issued for this model year, a significant number. Prospective owners should understand that these recalls may still be open and unrepaired on individual trucks. It is therefore critical that any used buyer check the specific VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov prior to purchase to identify which of these campaigns remain outstanding.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500, meaning no federal star ratings exist for this model year and no Safety Index score can be cited.
- Two separate recall campaigns specifically target the automatic transmission control module software on this model year, and owners should confirm remedy status for both through the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- The powered tailgate latch recall is specific to 2500 and 3500 trucks, making it directly applicable to this vehicle rather than a carryover from a lighter-duty sibling campaign.
- Powertrain complaints account for 18 of the 45 unverified owner allegations filed with NHTSA, and the complaint record remained active as recently as the most recent report logged in the dataset.
FAQ2020 GMC Sierra 3500 safety questions
Was the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 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 8 recalls and 45 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 8 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 45 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500. 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 3500 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the GMC Sierra 3500 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.