10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,118 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 steering problems

steering problem

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2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Dec 282023

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving, the power steering (electronic) failed. Driver Info Center gave no waring until the system failed. After failure the DEC gave a warning to "Service Poser steering".

- Vine Grove, KY, USA

problem #20

Sep 012023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The right side started clicking out of no where when I turn the steering wheel

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #19

Jul 312023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Electronic power steering stops working randomly which makes it nearly impossible to safely drive the vehicle. The strength needed to turn the vehicle is so great that the steering wheel elevation lock fails and the wheel slams to the lowest limit of travel. Problem started around 50,000 miles and was only a warning that went away as soon as I got in the truck again. However reappeared today and the steering went out this time. The GM dealer in Mexia Texas didn't know what was wrong, I am taking it to a dealer in Corsicana tomorrow. This is a known problem that GM has had in the past however my vehicle has no active recall to make my truck safe free of charge. This puts myself and other drivers at risk because there would be no way to rapidly maneuver the vehicle to avoid a colision.

- Mexia, TX, USA

problem #18

Sep 152022

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The truck has developed a shake that can be felt in the floor boards, seat, and steering wheel at highway speeds. It-??s has spent several months at dealerships without being fixed. I have replaced tires, wheels, shocks, upper control arms, and the transfer case without success.

- Harlingen, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 282021

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I own a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.7 Liter with 20K miles and I owned the truck for almost 2 years. All of a sudden my vehicle started receiving multiple warning messages. While driving I stopped, and when traffic stopped in front of me the engine died all the lights were on warning messages on the dashboard started showing up. Electronic Stability Control, Antilock Braking System, ECM, reduced Engine Power, etc., and the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn, I took my foot off the brakes and pressed it again to start. It started but the check engine light was still on, this happened FOUR times already and THREE times while parked when I tried to start, after a few tries giving few minutes intervals, it will start with all the lights on and warning messages on the dashboard start showing up. Electronic Stability Control, Antilock Braking System, ECM, reduced Engine Power, etc., and the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn.

- Aventura, FL, USA

problem #16

Jan 162023

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Normal driving conditions vehicle decelerated and warning lights and notification appeared. Warning were -??Service ECS-?? and -??Steering Assist is reduced Drive with care-??. Shut off vehicle for 30 minutes and warnings were no longer present and vehicle drove normally. Happened again 24 hours later. Received email notifications from GMC to arrive within one day. This was a know recall of the previous model year.

- Two Harbors, MN, USA

problem #15

Nov 102022

Sierra 1500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Drivers side upper control arm failure. Threw truck into oncoming traffic. Dealership has inspected multiple times stating everything was good to go. Been complaining about a loud clunk to dealership for months

- Remer, MN, USA

problem #14

Jul 232022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
I started my truck like normal and my service power steering light drive with care message came on and then Service ESC and the traction control light. My power steering was completely gone. I researched and found that 2020-21 GMC SUVs were recalled due to the same issue. My GMC truck is doing the same thing. I barely made it home from the store not having power steering is extremely dangerous, I still have no power steering. I just purchased this truck from CarMax last month.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 082022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The truck stated to have the check engine light on, by the time that happened the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn, I had been asking to GMC superior of Siloam springs to check the truck because, got scared while I couldn't make stop the truck while on traffic, but they don't had open appointments for that day or the other following days, so a week after they got one and I missed because my work, I set another one at GMC on Springdale but they want me to charge me whenever the truck has an extended warranty, so I told them to leave it like that so finally got another appointment at Siloam springs location but while driving down there the same thing happened all the light on warning messages on the dash board start showing up and the brakes were hard to step on it and the steering wheel hard to turn, I got told them what was happening, about and how exactly happened. That day after 30 minutes I got a call saying that it was fixed I still asked if they were sure he said yes, the next day I almost crashed with a neighbor at my work place because I couldn't stop the truck, so today I took back the truck and the guy at the desk told me that they may just erase the codes and don't really checked what was wrong, I'm just filling this report because even if I got full coverage on that truck, I'm not gonna be responsible if I'm involved in an accident.

- Springdale, AR, USA

problem #12

Feb 082022

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Steering locked up after normal use at lunch. After sitting, traction control light then on and wheel would not turn after work. Did a computer reboot and steering released. Results still pending, she is not home yet.

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

problem #11

Apr 302021

Sierra 1500

  • 10,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

It was fine and we drove to our neighbor, parked about 15 mins. When we started the truck to turn back, the steering was super heavy, with 2 messages pop up on the dashboard: Services ESC, and service power steering drive with care. Tried several times to re-start the truck, it's keep the same. In our neiborhood, parrot tulip view, pflugerville, tx 78660. Raining all night, not sure if it's related to the weather.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #10

Mar 162021

Sierra 1500

  • 20,500 miles
My truck Tuesday March 16th had me update software as soon as I got to work, after it was done I got out of my truck and it would not lock with push button or fob. When I got into my truck to go home 10hrs later it made a bunch of clicking noises and after a minute it showed update complete on screen then started. The very next day I drove back to work which is 22 miles. When I took my truck to lunch three blocks away I had ESC service light and service parking brake accompanied by check engine light. I called local dealership to get it looked at and they said Friday was as early as I could get it in. I left work early at 1:30 and tried to drive it and it was squalene like a bad power steering pump and shaking as I drove. I went ahead and took it the dealer.

- Burbank, OK, USA

problem #9

Feb 252021

Sierra 1500

  • 8,800 miles
When stationary and preparing to start vehicle intermittently see "service steering column lock" message appears and disappear once vehicle is started. This was previously supposed to be addressed with service bulletin 20-na-21 however being told by service department that vehicle has all current updates applied a year ago, including the one that should of addressed the issue. Told that the vehicle history shows records of past "loss of communication to dic" but as they can't immediately reproduce no action was taken.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #8

Feb 162021

Sierra 1500

  • 10,733 miles
The steering will completely lock up, this is the 2nd occurrence. It was at the dealer 1143 miles ago and codes were cleared, problem reoccurred. I was able to start the vehicle, put in drive/reverse neutral etc without issues, however the steering was completely locked up and would not allow steering/control of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked in driveway, cold outside both times. I have video evidence. The first occurrence 12/26/2020 at 9591 miles, 2nd occurrence 2/16/2021 at 10733 miles (1142 miles later)

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #7

Dec 142020

Sierra 1500

  • 2,339 miles
On December 14, 2020 my Sierra with 2339 miles displayed, at startup, the power steering was out, to drive with care. Also displayed service ESC and traction control failures. I drove with much difficulty, without power steering, ten miles to the nearest GMC dealership, lafontaine in highland, mi. I picked up the vehicle on December 29, 2020 with an additional 60 miles. The service personnel said they were unable to duplicate the problem, therefore no repairs were made. Lafontaine had contacted General Motors tech center who offered no solutions other than checking the battery and wiring harness connections. The problem has not reappeared in the fifteen days since I picked up my vehicle.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #6

Sep 212020

Sierra 1500

  • 5,000 miles
Everything was fine for about 6 months after having purchased vehicle as new. Then I got warning lights asking me to both service the parking break and service ESC with a warning that driving would be compromised just over 60mph. I notified dealer who says they fixed the glitch but it happened again. The last time, most recently, I tried to start the truck the next day and all the warning lights came on. This was followed by a complete shut down. No engine, no lights - not even lock/unlock with key fob. It had to be towed. This is a 2020 vehicle and seems like it will strand me some place at the very least. Awful, expensive, and perhaps deadly dynamics here. GMC, get your act together. You owe us immediately. Provide the fix immediately or give me money back with no contest.

- Sierra Madre, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 292020

Sierra 1500

  • 3,000 miles
Parked truck for one hour, engine off. Came back and upon startup, received multiple errors that power steering and ESC required dealer attention. Brake pedal would depress to floor. GMC Sierra 1500 elevation trim

- Bartlesville, OK, USA

problem #4

Aug 112020

Sierra 1500

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was at a stand still in a hospital parking lot, when the steering wheel ceased. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to local dealer phillips Buick GMC located at 2160 us-441 #27, fruitland park, fl 34731, (352) 728-1212, however the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 1,000. The VIN was not available.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #3

Jun 102020

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
2020 GMC Sierra steering issues. Loss of communication between modules. Results in locked steering or no power steering assist. Happens randomly at vehicle start up. Been to the dealer four times so far. The first two was informed there's nothing wrong with it. Repairs attempted, update software, engine harness repair, and steering module replacement.

- Mims, FL, USA

problem #2

May 212020

Sierra 1500

  • miles
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving at 25 mph, the system brake failure warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. Once the warning light illuminated, the contact experienced complete brake and steering failure. The contact was able to steer the vehicle into a curb to slow down the vehicle and avoid a possible collision with another vehicle. The contact stated that he had suffered pain to his left shoulder blade and left knee; however, he did not seek medical attention due to covid-19. After experiencing the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to desert sun motors, Inc. (2600 N white sands blvd, alamogordo, nm 88310) where they cleared the system's computer and informed the contact that they found no defects with the vehicle. Upon return of the vehicle, he experienced another brake failure as the check engine light illuminated while driving at 55 mph. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to run a red light and drive up an incline in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The vehicle was then towed shamaley Buick GMC (955 crockett St, el paso, tx 79922) where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a field inspector was sent to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that know brake failure codes were detected. The contact stated after the third failure the vehicle was towed to shamaley GMC where it was awaiting diagnosis. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Almogordo, NM, USA

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