2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Service Brakes Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 14, 2026 · 102 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 2,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “service esc” (22% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Service ESC: mentioned in 22 of 102 complaints (22%)
  • Trailer brake: mentioned in 14 of 102 complaints (14%)
  • Traction control: mentioned in 11 of 102 complaints (11%)
  • Started truck: mentioned in 6 of 102 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?

Based on 35 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles28 · 80%
10k–25k miles6 · 17%
25k–50k miles1 · 3%
50k–75k miles0 · 0%
75k–100k miles0 · 0%
100k–150k miles0 · 0%
150k+ miles0 · 0%

How serious are the reports?

Of 102 complaints, 2 mention a crash.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 service brakes complaints by model year

Peak: 2015, with 351 complaints
1996: 119961997: 51998: 101999: 12619992000: 1622001: 1332002: 18420022003: 2732004: 2292005: 8220052006: 1182007: 362008: 1320082009: 112010: 52011: 1320112012: 72013: 52014: 26920142015: 3513512016: 2562017: 17520172018: 852019: 1752020: 10220202021: 402022: 542023: 1720232024: 92025: 52026: 82026

n = 2,959 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2026 Silverado 150087%37,857
2025 Silverado 150055%—
2024 Silverado 150093%—
2023 Silverado 1500174%12,000
2022 Silverado 1500548%1,750
2021 Silverado 1500405%62,755
2020 Silverado 150010214%2,000
2019 Silverado 150017516%5,212
2018 Silverado 15008516%43,078
2017 Silverado 150017525%40,000
2016 Silverado 150025632%50,000
2015 Silverado 150035132%56,000
2014 Silverado 150026919%70,000
2013 Silverado 150052%76,500
2012 Silverado 150073%87,000
2011 Silverado 1500132%74,000
2010 Silverado 150051%70,600
2009 Silverado 1500112%67,500
2008 Silverado 1500131%95,000
2007 Silverado 1500364%75,000
2006 Silverado 150011833%89,411
2005 Silverado 15008216%84,500
2004 Silverado 150022929%87,678
2003 Silverado 150027334%101,000
2002 Silverado 150018436%115,500
2001 Silverado 150013328%116,500
2000 Silverado 150016226%125,000
1999 Silverado 150012621%137,236
1998 Silverado 1500103%157,000
1997 Silverado 150051%120,000
1996 Silverado 1500114%98,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2020, with 29 complaints
2019: 1201912020: 292020292021: 7202172022: 122022122023: 9202392024: 132024132025: 182025182026: 13202613

n = 102 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliperFeb 27, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V116000 · 20,352 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.

Risk: Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

1) The vehicle experienced a rear axle/rear-wheel lock-up after the recall-related repair was performed and the same diagnostic codes associated with the initial repair reportedly returned. 2)The rear axle/rear wheels locked while the vehicle was being driven on the highway, creating a significant…

Received Sep 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11766697

While driving my 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the braking system suddenly malfunctioned without any prior warning. When I released the accelerator, the vehicle began slowing as though the brakes were being applied even though I was not pressing the brake pedal. When I attempted to brake normally…

Received Sep 8, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762914

Complete brake system, master cylinder, pads, rotors. Only 75000+- miles. Morning start and the brakes are locked up. Had to get towed and the entire system needed to be replaced. So after several days and almost $5,000 I started driving home. After about 5 miles something fell off the front brakes…

Received Sep 3, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11762018

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s have service brakes problems?

No. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints about service brakes for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (14% of the 742 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 service brakes?

Yes: 1 safety recall list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do service brakes problems start?

The median reported mileage is 2,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about service brakes problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The most frequent phrase is “service esc”, in 22 of 102 complaints, followed by “trailer brake” (14).

Other 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

See all 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems or service brakes problems across all Silverado 1500 years.