Home · 2020 GMC Sierra Denali · Complaints

What 9 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 GMC Sierra Denali

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (9)Engine (5)Brakes (2)Driver assistance (1)Electrical system (1)Engine & cooling (1)

Newest first · 9 complaints

Jun 16, 2026Engine

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted about the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,500.

NHTSA ODI 11744588

Nov 18, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was later informed that the engine had seized due to engine bearing failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a new engine. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and linked the recall to the failure. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and the recall, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ODI 11700178

Nov 9, 2023Driver assistance

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the Adaptive Cruise Control feature became inoperable. The contact stated that when the vehicle got too close to another vehicle, the Adaptive Cruise Control feature failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,700. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11554317

Apr 26, 2023Electrical system

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH at night, the vehicle stalled and the “Shift to Neutral and Restart Vehicle” message was displayed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and was unable to visibly see the roadway. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence, and then to the local dealer the next day, where the vehicle was diagnosed with needing the starter to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11519126

Nov 23, 2021Engine

The contact's father owns a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali 3500. The contact stated that while his father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a cylinder #1 misfire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to Wackerli Auto Center (1363 N Holmes Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83401) on numerous occasions and diagnosed with a faulty sensor. The dealer replaced the sensor; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11441449

Apr 7, 2021Brakes

BRAKES SQUEAK. STARTED ABOUT 3000 MILES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11406920

Dec 16, 2020Engine

KNOCKING COMING FROM ENGINE - NOTICEABLE UNNECESSARY NOISE IN WHICH DEALER CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11383781

Oct 29, 2020BrakesEngine

TWO ISSUES BROKEN VALVE SPRING CAUSED ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN, SECOND SERVICE BRAKE, BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT, SERVICE ESC, SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE MESSAGES CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11367036

Oct 8, 2020Engine

I NOTICED SEVERAL SPOTS OF OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY, I THEN INSPECTED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE (L5P) AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM SEVERAL BOLTS AND LINES. MY VEHICLE, A 2020 2500HD DENALI DIESEL, HAS ONLY 2,200 MILES ON IT FROM NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11363419

Working with the data? Download all 9 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 GMC Sierra Denali verdict →