VehicleVerdict

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,041 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Silverado 1500 year — the 2016 model ranks #6 of 33 Silverado 1500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 24 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 266 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

1,041

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

1

Investigations

62

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

24

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Silverado 1500 years?

See all Silverado 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes26626%
Transmission19018%
Electrical System13613%
Steering10810%
Other808%
Engine727%
Suspension293%
Fuel System273%
Tires & Wheels252%
Visibility & Wipers212%
Body & Structure212%
Airbags162%
Lighting162%
Seat Belts121%
Speed Control111%
Driver Assistance71%
Seats40%

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V504000AirbagsJuly 1, 2021 · 410,019 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

21V245000Seat BeltsApril 8, 2021 · 2,568 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

20V736000AirbagsNovember 25, 2020 · 9,279 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

18V578000BrakesAugust 30, 2018 · 42,280 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

18V291000Seat BeltsMay 3, 2018 · 23,004 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V256000SuspensionApril 28, 2016 · 3,738 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

16V069000BrakesFebruary 5, 2016 · 430,771 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS (ESTIMATE <10MPH, USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN PARKING), WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES STIFF, DOES NOT DEPRESS AS USUAL, DO NOT APPLY FORCE PROPERLY, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES MOVING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES IN BOTH DRIVE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 9, 2019 · crash

I EASED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARKING SPACE, RELEASED THE GAS PEDAL, AND IT SURGED/JUMPED FORWARD. MY VEHICLE PUSHED THE OTHER VEHICLE IN OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE ABOUT A FOOT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 3, 2018 · crash

Remote started my vehicle in the morning, made it about a mile down the road, and the center console started fire. Looks to be the wiring/wireless charger on top of the console. Zero warning lamps or warning labels. Safely made it to the side of the road after getting out of traffic, but inhaled…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 31, 2022 · fire

SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING INCLUDING FRONT END SHAKE AND BRAKING PROBLEM.VEHICLE ONLY HAS 6000 MILES AND BOTH COUNTRY CLUB MOTORS AND CHEVROLET CORP.HAVE DENIED AND FAULT OF THERE'S.I AM A AUTO TECH OF 26 YEARS AND ASE CERTIFIED IN STEERING AND SUSPENSION BELIEVE THAT DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 14, 2016 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE CONTACT'S RENTAL PROPERTY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 22, 2017 · fire

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,041 complaints put the 2016 model at #6 of 33 Silverado 1500 years. It is one of the Silverado 1500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Silverado 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (266 complaints), transmission (190 complaints), electrical system (136 complaints).

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2019, 2015, 2008, 2007, 2016, 2021, 2020, 2022, 2011, 2009, 2023, 2010, 2013, 2024, 2012. The cleanest record among Silverado 1500 years belongs to 1995.

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.