Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was started, the check engine, brake system, and another unknown warning light illuminated. Additionally, the messages brake system failure, steering wheel failure, low oil, and two other unknown messages were displayed. The contact also stated that the rear-view camera remained displayed while shifted into drive, and the instrument panel failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, the rearview camera image failed to display as needed, and the radio was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at speeds over 38 MPH, and the Lane Departure Warning System was activated the seat indicator did not vibrate or sound an alert as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the software was reset but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
The brakes suddenly activate and cause the vehicle to rapidly stop with no warning of any kind and without any braking action being taken by the driver. Then, the brakes do not release and the vehicle cannot be moved as the brakes remain on. Turning the engine off and then restarting it or shifting to other gears does not release the brakes. The vehicle remains immobile and cannot be driven. After a few hours have passed, like overnight, the brakes release and the vehicle can started and driven just as if nothing had happened. A message briefly appears on the vehicle information screen each time this inadvertent braking occurs. It reads, "Brake Failure System". These brake lockdowns occurred when driving on streets and in the driveway. No accident resulted but could have easily occurred. …
I have had no issues with my vehicle since I purchased it in July 2022 and keep up with the routine maintenance on it. About 2.5 weeks ago I was driving to work like I normally do and the truck started making a knocking noise and all these sensors lights came on the dash. The alerts were saying to service the parking brake, service ESC, and that steering assist is reduced and to drive with care. The vehicle also started shaking and would not accelerate properly or shift gears. We ended up taking it to the closest GMC dealership and they were in able to diagnose it just by simply hooking it up, they had to fully dismantle the engine in order to diagnose it. They came back and said cylinder number 4 is damaged as well as the lifters and cam shaft. …
Issue 1: Front left sensor(s), after a rain, car wash and now after an oil change, continuously vibrates the drivers seat and the red light warning stays lite indicating that an obstacle is located near the left front of the truck. This has happened on several occasions and after a time both indicator stop. Issue 2: When traveling on a freeway, twice now, the cruise control suddenly disengaged or decreased mileage, as if it had detected a vehicle in front of us. There was no vehicle within a quarter mile of us front or back, nor any vehicles on the side. No debris in the road either. Usually when the adaptive cruise is set and detects something in front the icons on the dash turn orange and starts to flash. That didn't happen, rather the cruise icon changed to blue in color and the truck slowed. This I would consider a safety risk. …
At 103,000 my 2020 AT4 5.3L V8 had a P0307 code thrown. Cylinder 7 misfire. Driving highway speeds, sudden loud pop and then the service engine light came on and automatic braking engaged, and the idle got extremely rough. Ended up being a bad lifter, bent rod, tore lobe off of the camshaft. Roughly 8,000 for the repair, new cam, new lifters, spark plugs and coil packs. Now only about 3,000 miles later, driving, sped up to pass on the interstate and another misfire, P0306 this time Cylinder 6. Same symptoms check engine light, automatic braking, rough idle. Seems to be another failed lifter and bent rod. Currently awaiting diagnostic for this second misfire issue. When speaking with the tow truck driver and the mechanic both mentioned a significant rise in cases like this. There is definitely something wrong with the design that the manufacturer needs to be help responsible for. …
Driving down highway at 60 mph and truck shut off. had to try to get it over to the shoulder to off the travel lane. Dealer found wire harness chaffed at front left shock tower ECM bracket. Several wires damaged, repaired and cleared codes. This could have been much worse had I been in heavy traffic and needed to cross additional lanes of traffic to park in a safe area. I had no power steering and limited space to park the truck. I called to police to have a car dispatched to park behind me so the truck could be loaded on a tow vehicle to bring it to the dealer. This could have been worse had my wife been driving.
Own a 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 with 13K miles and I owned the truck for 1 year. All of a sudden my vehicle started receiving multiple warning messages. Electronic Stability Control, Antilock Braking System, ECM, reduced Engine Power, etc. I see there was a recall for 2019 GMC Sierra's for the same issues. Why isn't 2020 GMC Sierra's not also part of that recall ? It is ridiculous that a brand new truck has these types of serious issues affecting so many vehicles. Why is GMC allowed to continue to sell later model trucks after the 2019 recall with the exact same ESC and Anti-lock Braking system problems ?
recently when starting truck brake message alert comes across on dash reading brake error, and not to drive above 45 miles per hour and brakes are NOT totally operational, meaning brake pedal has alot of play in it to bring truck to a stop. Have to turn off vehicle , sometimes repeatedly before it apparently resets computer system. This has now occurred four times in last five months. Events and dash warning message very similar to recall issued 3/3/20, but listed as "complete" on recall data base. Need to seriously and immediately looked into and corrected!
Collision Avoidance complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, 4% of the model year's 481 complaints. The component named most often is automatic emergency braking (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance recall for the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 12 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 collision avoidance problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to driver assistance problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.