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2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

793 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

47,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 476 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 256 of 793 complaints (32.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior27534.7%
Transmission and shifting17121.6%
Steering behavior11915.0%
Electrical and battery issues546.8%
Engine operation354.4%
Fuel system concerns151.9%

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.

Service Brakes
256
Power Train
189
Electrical System
118
Steering
108
Unknown Or Other
81
Engine
72
Suspension
29
Fuel/Propulsion System
26
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes256
Power Train189
Electrical System118
Steering108
Unknown Or Other81
Engine72
Suspension29
Fuel/Propulsion System26

Service Brakes: 256; Power Train: 189; Electrical System: 118; Steering: 108; Unknown Or Other: 81; Engine: 72; Suspension: 29; Fuel/Propulsion System: 26

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
122
25,000 to 49,999
134
50,000 to 74,999
116
75,000 to 99,999
59
100,000 to 149,999
36
150,000 and above
9
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000122
25,000 to 49,999134
50,000 to 74,999116
75,000 to 99,99959
100,000 to 149,99936
150,000 and above9

Under 25,000: 122; 25,000 to 49,999: 134; 50,000 to 74,999: 116; 75,000 to 99,999: 59; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 9

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (134). 317 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.

2016
34
2017
50
2018
90
2019
145
2020
105
2021
69
2022
65
2023
96
2024
47
2025
59
2026
33
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201634
201750
201890
2019145
2020105
202169
202265
202396
202447
202559
202633

2016: 34; 2017: 50; 2018: 90; 2019: 145; 2020: 105; 2021: 69; 2022: 65; 2023: 96; 2024: 47; 2025: 59; 2026: 33

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 275 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 171 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 119 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10863717 · 2016-05-07 (May 7, 2016)

A CONDITION EXISTS WHERE, AFTER THE DRIVER HAS USED THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, THEN HAS REMOVED THEIR FOOT FROM THE PEDAL, THEN PRESSES THE CRUISE "SET" BUTTON A BRIEF MOMENT LATER, AND THEN IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTS TO DECELERATE BY REPEATEDLY PRESSING MINUS "-" ON THE CRUISE CONTROL, THAT THE SPEED CONTROL BECOMES CONFUSED AND DISPLAYS MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SPEEDS, WHILE MAINTAINING THE ORIGINAL SPEED, EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER BELIEVES THEY ARE DECELERATING. THIS CAN BE REPRODUCED ON ANY 2016 SILVERADO MODEL BY FOLLOWING THESE STEPS: THROTTLE UP AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 45 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863717 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10864097 · 2016-05-10 (May 10, 2016)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 308.

Owner-reported narrative. 308 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864097 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10864487 · 2016-05-11 (May 11, 2016)

I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 LTZ Z71 AND IT VIBRATES AT IDLE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I HAD ALREADY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIX, BUT NO LUCK. GM TOLD ME THAT IS HOW THE TRUCK IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY ZERO HELP FROM GM TO HELP ME RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN AN OPTION TO TRADE IT IN FOR A NEW ONE AT MY OWN EXPENSES OR DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. FORD WOULD NOT TAKE MY TRUCK AS A TRADE IN NOR WILL GMC. THIS VEHICLE CAN POTENTIALLY BY DANGEROUS AND A LIABILITY AS THE TRANSMIS…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10864487 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10872424 · 2016-06-03 (June 3, 2016)

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER IT'S A 2016 SILVERADO 1500 IT HAS A VIBRATION THAT COMES FROM THE FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTS ABOUT 60 65 MILES AND IT UP TO ABOUT 70 72 73 SOMEWHEAROUND THAT AREA NUTRA BALANCE IS NOW THE SECOND TIME AROUND THEY TRIED ROAD FORCE BALANCING WORKED FOR ABOUT 30 MILES VIBRATION BACK.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10872424 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10874520 · 2016-06-16 (June 16, 2016)

THE SINGLE BULB FOR HIGH /LOW BEAM HID FACTORY HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM IT'S HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. I CANNOT USE AT NIGHT PAID TOO MUCH MONEY.

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10874520 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10885249 · 2016-07-16 (July 16, 2016)

I HAVE WHAT HAS BEEN DEEMED "THE CHEVY SHAKE". TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND BALANCED. BUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 70 MPH AND ABOVE THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE VIBRATION IN THE TRUCK. I JUST READ A REPORT DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM IN THE '14 & '15 MODELS BUT GM HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM YET IN '16.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10885249 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10887958 · 2016-07-23 (July 23, 2016)

TREAD SEPARATION ON BRIDGESTONE TIRES DURING NORMAL OPERATION, TRAVELLING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED. TIRES WERE FACTORY INSTALLED AND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT HAD APPROXIMATELY 9,500 MILES ON THEM. TIRE, FORTUNATELY, DID NOT DEFLATE BUT A LARGE SECTION OF THE TREAD SEPARATED AND RELEASED FROM THE TIRE. VEHICLE IS OWNED BY AVIS.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10887958 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10891957 · 2016-08-01 (August 1, 2016)

THE TRUCK WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE DRIVER HAD TO BRAKE FOR HEAVY TRAFFIC AHEAD. WITHOUT REASON BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO VEER OFF THE INTERSTATE AND ONTO THE FRONTAGE RD.THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH ANYTHING PRIOR TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO IMPACT AFTER DEPLOYMENT EITHER. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE WAS HURT BY THE AIRBAGS. I RENDERED AID TO THIS DRIVER AND COMPLETED A INCIDENT REPORT. COLORADO STATE PATROL CASE # 3C161461

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10891957 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

11 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

16V069000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Reported: 2016-02-05 (February 5, 2016)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V256000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm

Reported: 2016-04-28 (April 28, 2016)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V651000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2016-09-08 (September 8, 2016)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V437000 · Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive | Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2017-07-10 (July 10, 2017)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V291000 · Seat Belts:Front

Reported: 2018-05-03 (May 3, 2018)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V578000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages

Reported: 2018-08-30 (August 30, 2018)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum

Reported: 2019-09-06 (September 6, 2019)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V761000 · Service Brakes | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring | Electronic Stability Control (Esc)

Reported: 2019-10-24 (October 24, 2019)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V736000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator

Reported: 2020-11-25 (November 25, 2020)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V245000 · Seat Belts:Front

Reported: 2021-04-08 (April 8, 2021)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V504000 · Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain:Inflator

Reported: 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗