VehicleVerdict

2016 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 2500 years: 75 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 57, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (14), fuel system (12), and brakes (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

75

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Sierra 2500 years?

See all Sierra 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1419%
Fuel System1216%
Brakes1013%
Electrical System1013%
Engine912%
Other68%
Tires & Wheels45%
Airbags34%
Lighting23%
Seat Belts23%
Driver Assistance11%
Transmission11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

5 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.

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.

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.

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.

STEERING BOX ADJUSTMENT SCREW BACKED OUT CAUSING EXCESSIVE SLOP IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS WITH GM'S SOLUTION IS TO ADD LOCKTITE AND TORQUE NUT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AND IT COULD BACKOUT AGAIN. SHOULD HAVE A MECHANICAL LOCK TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SUTTLE MOTORS (12525 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602, [PHONE]) AND A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 16, 2019

MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND I HAD THE ABS LIGHT STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT AS WELL AS MORE THAT CAME ON. THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER AFTER THEY SAID IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE AND WAS. IT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS HAPPEND 4 TIMES ALREADY AND BEEN AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 27, 2016

2016 GMC Sierra 2500 — common questions

Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 2500: 75 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Sierra 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (14 complaints), fuel system (12 complaints), brakes (10 complaints).

Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2024, 2020, 2015, 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 2500 years belongs to 1994.

How safe is the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 earned an overall rating of 4 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.