2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG
Across its 27 EPA-rated versions, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 returns 14–23 mpg city, 16–33 highway and 15–27 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 3.0-liter turbo 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 27 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 5.3-liter 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive and is rated 15 mpg combined. That is 6 mpg better than the best gasoline 2019 version (21 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 2WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 27 | Diesel · 383 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 23 | 29 | 25 | Diesel · 405 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 2.7 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | Regular · 421 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 2.7 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Regular · 422 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 2.7 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Regular · 442 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 2.7 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Regular · 442 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | Regular · 448 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular · 460 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 19 | Regular · 477 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular · 486 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular · 494 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular · 524 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Premium · 516 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 525 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular · 532 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Regular · 523 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | Premium · 515 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 545 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular · 561 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 · 563 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular · 556 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | Regular · 593 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 2WD | 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular · 582 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado Cab Chassis 4WD | 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 16 | 15 | Regular · 594 g CO₂/mi |
| Silverado 4WD TrailBoss | 6.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Premium · 575 g CO₂/mi |
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 costs about $3,110 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (21 mpg combined), or roughly 21 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (15 mpg combined) comes to about $4,360 a year, $1,240 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 specs
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 buyers could choose between 5 engines, according to EPA records: 5.3 L 8-cyl, 4.3 L 6-cyl, 2.7 L 4-cyl turbo, 6.2 L 8-cyl and 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo. It came with an automatic transmission, in four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a standard pickup truck.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd; Automatic 10-spd; Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 13 |
| 4.3 L | 6 | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 5 |
| 2.7 L turbo | 4 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 6.2 L | 8 | Automatic 10-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 3 |
| 3.0 L turbo | 6 | Automatic 10-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; 4-Wheel Drive | 2 |
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
Owners have filed 747 complaints about the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Engine is the most-reported area (23% of component mentions), followed by power train (21%) and electrical system (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 106 complaints a year: fewer than the 2019 (136 a year) and the 2021 (140 a year).
That ranks 5th of 17 Chevy Silverado 1500 model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 747, 13 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 7 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 250 | 23% |
| Power train | 235 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 115 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 102 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 76 | 7% |
| Steering | 74 | 7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 26 | 2% |
| Structure | 26 | 2% |
| Suspension | 20 | 2% |
| Wheels | 14 | 1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 13 | 1% |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 1% |
| Air bags | 11 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 11 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 9 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 6 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 5 | <1% |
| Tires | 4 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 2 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 2 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 2 | <1% |
| Trailer hitches | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
Had a misfire in cylinder 4 so I took it to the dealership to diagnose. It held compression and switched the plugs and still had the same misfire. …
1. Transmission Issue: Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced ongoing transmission problems. The transmission exhibits noticeable shifting issues, including delayed response, harsh/rough gear engagement, and erratic shifting behavior while driving. 2. …
While driving I lost the power steering on the vehicle. I took my truck to a chevy dealership and scheduled an appointment for the following day. …
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 recalls
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500.
The most recent, campaign 26V083000 from February 2026, concerns power train.
Power train accounts for 3 of the 12 campaigns, more than any other area.
20V446000 · July 30, 2020 · Air bags
Problem: General Motors, LLC. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
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.
20V116000 · February 27, 2020 · Hydraulic service brakes
Problem: 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge.
19V837000 · November 21, 2019 · Gasoline fuel system
Problem: The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Silverado 1500 years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V083000 | February 12, 2026 | Power train | 2020–2022 |
| 24V797000 | October 24, 2024 | Power train | 2020–2022 |
| 21V985000 | December 16, 2021 | Tires | 2019–2021 |
| 21V115000 | February 25, 2021 | Tires | 2019–2020 |
| 20V792000 | December 17, 2020 | Seat belts | 2019–2021 |
| 20V684000 | November 5, 2020 | Tires | 2020–2021 |
| 20V650000 | October 22, 2020 | Power train | 2019–2020 |
| 19V888000 | December 12, 2019 | Electrical system | 2019–2020 |
| 19V814000 | November 14, 2019 | Seat belts | 2019–2020 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 6 versions of the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
Its PU/CC 2WD and PU/CC 4WD versions scored 4 stars overall.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PU/RC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Chevy Silverado 1500s can be compared fairly. Among other 2020 models in the EPA's standard pickup trucks class, the 2020 Ram 1500 (26 mpg) and 2020 Ford F-150 (24 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 20 | 714 | 71 | 7 |
| 2018 | 20 | 521 | 57 | 7 |
| 2019 | 21 | 1,096 | 136 | 10 |
| 2020 | 27 | 747 | 106 | 12 |
| 2021 | 27 | 848 | 140 | 8 |
| 2022 | 26 | 650 | 128 | 6 |
| 2023 | 26 | 389 | 96 | 3 |
Every Chevy Silverado 1500 model year compared →
Similar 2020 models
FAQ
Is the 2020 Silverado 1500 a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 has 106 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (5th most of 17 model years), 12 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 27 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2020 Silverado 1500 problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are engine (250), power train (235) and electrical system (115). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2020 Silverado 1500 have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Silverado 1500 get?
The EPA rates the versions at 15–27 mpg combined (14–23 city, 16–33 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Silverado 1500 per year?
About $3,110 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $4,360 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).