2016 Gmc SIERRA DENALI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 30 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Power Train: 9; Service Brakes: 8; Steering: 6; Engine: 3; Electrical System: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Wheels: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2017: 2; 2018: 6; 2019: 11; 2020: 8; 2021: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11093803 · 2018-05-14 (May 14, 2018)
LOOSES BRAKE ASSISTANCE IN PARKING LOT AND SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WITH VARIOUS CODES THE MOST COMMON IS MISFIRE ON STARTUP IT HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11093803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11114476 · 2018-07-30 (July 30, 2018)
TRUCK SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. I ALMOST DROVE THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR THE OTHER DAY SHIFTING TO DRIVE FROM REVERSE. TRUCK WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR DELAY IN SHIFTING. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW TIMES I'VE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES BEFORE I BACKED INTO SOMETHING. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN 3-4 TIMES FOR THE ISSUE AND GMC WON'T REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11023589 · 2017-09-15 (September 15, 2017)
THIS ISSUE STARTED A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE TRUCK TOOK IT TO TWO DEALERS THEY SAY ITS NORMAL. CALLED GMC & THEY HAVE NO RECALL. WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK & HAVE TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS & HAS A VERY NOTICABLE JERK. WILL ACTUALLY JERK THE HOLE TRUCK. PEOPLE WHO HAVE RODE WITH ME TELL ME I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11023589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165611 · 2019-01-03 (January 3, 2019)
THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE STEERING PLAY. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN ICY CONDITIONS AND CAN BE NOTICED DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON DRY OR ICY PAVEMENT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED SERVICE BULLETIN WORK AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND REWORK INVOLVED TIGHTENING THE STEERING BOX BACKLASH SCREW. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED AND STILL EXISTS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL LIST TO FIX THE ISSUE. IN ORDER TO FIX THE ISSUE, THE PITMAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11194964 · 2019-04-09 (April 9, 2019)
STEERING WHEEL SLOPPY 1-2 INCHES OF PLAY WHILE DRIVING
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11194964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10969732 · 2017-03-31 (March 31, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10969732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363769 · 2020-10-11 (October 11, 2020)
APPARENTLY, THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WITH WIRING HARNESS AND HARD SHIFTING WHICH THE MANUFACTURER HAS 18 SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON YET STILL WILL NOT RECALL AND FIX PROBLEMS. ALSO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND UNSAFE IT LOSES PRESSURE AND EVEN BRAKING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY AND SAY IT IS VARIOUS PARTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT IT IS NOT AS OF YET. GM KNOWS OF THESE ISSUES AND THE 1000S OF DOLLARS CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363769 at NHTSA ↗