VehicleVerdict

2016 Chevrolet Silverado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Silverado years?

Silverado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted2,104 complaints1980: 2 complaints1982: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 3 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 18 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 37 complaints1991: 18 complaints1992: 51 complaints1993: 77 complaints1994: 235 complaints1995: 331 complaints1996: 230 complaints1997: 365 complaints1998: 335 complaints1999: 2,104 complaints2000: 1,614 complaints2001: 1,048 complaints2002: 853 complaints2003: 852 complaints2004: 723 complaints2005: 361 complaints2006: 223 complaints2007: 253 complaints2008: 221 complaints2009: 103 complaints2010: 91 complaints2011: 99 complaints2012: 91 complaints2013: 87 complaints2014: 195 complaints2015: 111 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 156 complaints
Silverado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silverado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Silverado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags225%
Electrical System225%
Transmission225%
Other113%
Steering113%

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?

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

16V084000Electrical SystemFebruary 11, 2016 · 139 units

Defect

Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, 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 15808.

15V830000AirbagsDecember 10, 2015 · 90 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick up trucks manufactured October 13, 2015, to October 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the mounting stud used to secure the air bag sensing and diagnostic Module (SDM) may be incorrectly positioned, and as a result, the SDM housing could fracture.

Consequence

If the SDM housing fractures, water may get into SDM causing it to malfunction and hinder the proper deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash, thereby increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015. 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 15794.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD Crew. The contact stated while driving approximately at 55 mph when the vehicles in front of the contact began to stop abruptly which resulted in the contact crashing the vehicle into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 27, 2021 · crash

“ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF NEEDED INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION. DEALER SAYS THERE IS A TSB THAT THE ENTIRE TRUCK HAS TO BE RE-FLASHED INCLUDING ALL MODULES IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DURING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 20, 2016

“I PURCHASED A 2016 SILVERADO 1500 4WD LTZ CREW ON FEBRUARY 08, 2016. ON FEBRUARY 20, 2016 WITH JUST 312 NEW MILES DRIVEN ON THE NEW VEHICLE, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR GOING WEST ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY MIDDLE LANE IN NASSAU COUNTY NEW YORK.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 20, 2016

“HAS THE CHEVY SHAKES BETWEEN 38 AND 70 MILE PER HOUR .5.3 V8 MOTOR AND 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION 342 REAR AXEL LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL . BEEN SELLING GM'S FOR 55 YEARS AND IF THIS WAS A DEMENSTRATOR WE WOULD NEVER NEVER SELL ANOTHER TRUCK.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 10, 2016

2016 Chevrolet Silverado — common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Silverado years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silverado years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 1997, 2005, 1998, 1995, 2007, 1994, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2014. The cleanest record among Silverado years belongs to 1987.

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.