2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
27,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 36.8% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 31.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 21.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor | 1 |
Service Brakes: 6; Steering: 6; Engine: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10948966 · 2017-02-01 (February 1, 2017)
-ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED. (NOT MOVING) THIS PRESSURE ISSUE WILL FINALLY STOP AND THE WHEEL WILL CENTER ON IT'S OWN. -STEERING HAS SLOP, FEELS LOOSE, DEAD CENTER -WHILE AT SPEED APPLYING THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TORN FROM MY HAND 3 TIMES. THE POWER STEERING CAUSES TRUCK TO CHANGE DIRECTIONS WHEN BRAKING. 99% OF THE TIME THE TRUCK TURNS RIGHT. THE HYROBOOST SYSTEM IS TURNI…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11113566 · 2018-07-25 (July 25, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE PASSING A BOAT RAMP HAULING A BOAT TRAILER, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEGACY BUICK GMC (293 E HOWZE BEACH RD, SLIDELL, LA 70461, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11113566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532754 · 2023-07-17 (July 17, 2023)
I own a 2016 GMC 3500 Diesel that had a serious mechanical breakdown while traveling on the freeway. The truck lost all motive power and needed to coast across 4 freeway lanes. Once towed to a local GMC Dealer, they diagnosed the problem as the Bosch CP4 fuel pump internally came apart while driving. I have to have this vehicle working so I got it repaired at a cost of $16,145. This is a known issue and losing all power while at highway speeds could have caused a serious incident. Please address this issue before someone dies.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11549427 · 2023-10-11 (October 11, 2023)
This is a 2016 GMC 3500 Denali truck with 70,000 miles on it. The Bosch fuel pump threw metal shavings into the fuel system. This is a known issue with GMC trucks with a Bosch CP4 fuel pump for 2011-2016. The engine suddenly quits running leaving the driver without power steering or power brakes. It happened to me when pulling a 14,000-pound 5th-wheel RV. Fortunately, I was on an interstate outside of Grand Junction CO and the road was flat. If I had been in the mountains going downhill and the engine quit I'd likely caused an accident pe…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11549427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299215 · 2020-01-14 (January 14, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH WOBBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A MESSAGE STATING THAT IN APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (BURTENESS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC OF WHITEWATER LOCATED AT 1389 W MAIN ST, WHITEWATER, WI 53190 PHONE NUMBER [phone removed]) TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS NOT I…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11603966 · 2024-07-23 (July 23, 2024)
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft, lower bearings, head gasket seals, and the long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11603966 at NHTSA ↗