Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2019 to Dec 2017
The most reported issue is service brakes problems (210 complaints). 41 complaints involved crashes. 9 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (11)
NHTSA Campaign: 18V578000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
NHTSA Campaign: 18V291000
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: If the pretensioner cable becomes fatigued or breaks, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pretensioner cable and seat side-shield, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18156.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V645000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V761000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V256000
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V651000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V069000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.
NHTSA Campaign: 17V437000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V504000
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V245000
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V736000
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 780)
Power Train →6 issues
Your transmission is slipping while you're driving, meaning the engine revs up but the vehicle doesn't accelerate smoothly or as expected. No warning light appeared on your dashboard to alert you to the problem. This issue started around 120,000 miles on your vehicle. A transmission fluid flush, filter replacement, or transmission rebuild may be needed to resolve the slipping.
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On road trip from mi to ny. No lights or warnings but transmission failed.we were able to get safely off highway into parking lot.Tried to have towed to chevy dealer but could not look at for days. Able to take to aamco & need to install new transmission in ohio!
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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado1500. The contact stated that while driving at 48 MPH and driving uphill, the transmission downshifted and started sputtering. The contact pulled into a parking lot and attempted to troubleshoot the failure, but the failure persisted.
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Entire Transmission failed and needs to be replaced.
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The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission valve body had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder.
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2016 Silverado z71 with 6L80 transmission started slipping gears and shudders when accelerating. Vehicle was looked at by a mechanic who drove it and confirmed that the transmission is the issue and said a rebuild is needed.
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Engine →4 issues
Your engine light came on and the truck stalled frequently, requiring a stop. The first time, two valve lifters failed at 41,786 miles and you paid out of pocket for replacement. The problem happened again at 46,000 miles due to faulty parts, but warranty covered that repair. It happened a third time at 59,000 miles with both side lifters failing, and your mechanic recommended a full engine replacement since the lifters keep failing. The repair is costing $15,300 and GM has not provided assistance. The fix will involve replacing the valve lifters or potentially the entire engine if damage has spread.
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I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving General Motors’ Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. In October 2024, my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT, at 96,000 miles, experienced a lifter collapse which caused sufficient wear to the camshaft that the engine needed to be replaced, which was performed.
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I am writing about my recent engine failure on my 2016 Chevy Silverado High Country. This is a 4x4 with the 6.2L motor. My engine has failed at only 66,790 miles due to the lifter issue that seems to be common with these motors.
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I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving General Motors’ Active Fuel Management (AFM) system that caused catastrophic engine failure in my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado (VIN: [XXX] ). At approximately 78,000 miles, my vehicle experienced piston and lifter failure requiring full engine replacement.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic →1 issue
Your brake pedal became soft and spongy, and wouldn't work properly while driving. No warning light appeared on your dashboard. Your truck had recently received a brake system software update from the dealer, but when you took it back, the dealer couldn't diagnose the problem and suggested doing another software update later. The fix will likely involve diagnosing the brake hydraulic system and possibly repeating or correcting the brake system software update.
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Air Bags,seat Belts,unknown Or Other →1 issue
While you were a front seat passenger wearing your seatbelt, your vehicle hit a deer. During the collision, your seatbelt failed to lock or tighten as it should have, and you were thrown forward and hit the windshield. It's unclear whether the seatbelt pretensioner or airbag system worked properly. This safety failure meant the seatbelt didn't restrain you during the crash, putting you at serious risk of injury. The fix would likely involve inspection and possible replacement of the seatbelt assembly, pretensioner system, and airbag components.
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Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,engine →1 issue
While driving at 65-70 mph on the interstate, your truck suddenly lost engine power and slowed down significantly, forcing you to pull over to the shoulder. The truck wouldn't start again after you stopped. This created a dangerous situation where other vehicles nearly hit you. The issue likely involves the engine fuel system, ignition system, or transmission control needing diagnosis.
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Steering,electrical System →1 issue
Your truck shuts off and restarts repeatedly when you turn left, with warning messages and flickering lights appearing and disappearing. Your radio screen and AC also cut out randomly. This happens at least once a week and could be dangerous if your engine dies while you're turning. The issue likely involves a faulty electrical connection or battery problem that needs diagnostic testing and repair to the electrical system.
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Visibility →1 issue
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the rear sliding glass defroster element overheated. The contact was unsure but thought that the defroster had activated independently.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic,power Train,engine →1 issue
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked unexpectedly, with the check engine warning light illuminated.
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Steering →1 issue
The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became stiff and then loosened. The steering started turning independently and was uncontrollable.
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Exterior Lighting →1 issue
The rear 3rd brake light above the back glass started leaking because the seal/gasket went bad. Water leaked into the cab and now the headliner has to be replace as well as that seal. I works for a glass company and this is a known problem for this year.
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
I have had so much issues as has thousands upon thousands of other people related to the arm on my truck nothing but issues regarding it
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Electrical System →1 issue
Was a light frost on mirror and back glass. Turned on rear defroster then all of a sudden back passengers side glass shattered.
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Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years: