2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 798 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 19 Silverado 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 43 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 17 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorSep 24, 2026
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262569920. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 24, 2026.
Campaign 26V611000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorJul 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V504000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontApr 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.
A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtain, inflatorNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V736000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesAug 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V578000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V291000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V437000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control armDo not drive until repairedApr 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.
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V256000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, pedals and linkagesFeb 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V069000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
265 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Sep 16, 2018
THE BRAKES DON'T HOLD AT TIMES. HAS HAPPENED WHILE BACKING UP AND DURING REGULAR DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED DURING CITY STREETS OR DURING STOP AND GO DRIVING. FEELS LIKE MY BRAKES NEVER ENGAGE BUT THE PEDAL IS PRESSED FULLY.
Power train, Service brakes, Sep 8, 2018
BRAKE VACUUM PUMP ISSUES DEALERS AWARE OF ISSUE & HAVE AN UPDATED VACUUM PUMP AVAILABLE. TRANSMISSION ISSUES WERE IT DOWN SHIFTS HARD AT TIMES & HAS A BAD SHATTERING WHEN UPSHISTING AT LOW SPEEDS TOOK IT 2 TIMES BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED SAID WAS JUST A SOFTWARE UPDATE. NEVER TOOK CARE OF ISSUE.
Service brakes, Jul 25, 2018
TS BULLETIN NO.: PIT5361B BRAKES LOSE VACUUM AT LOW SPEED (EG. STOP/START TRAFFIC, FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH LANES). IT'S AS IF THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF WHILE BRAKING. CHEVROLET CHARGED $645 TO REPLACE VACUUM PUMP.
Service brakes, Jul 9, 2018
WAS GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL IN KENTUCKY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BRAKE PEDAL GOT REALLY HARD TO PUSH AND THE TRUCK DIDN'T WANT TO STOP. ALSO HAPPENED AT A LOW RPM GOING DOWN THE APPROACH OF A DRIVEWAY. I AM ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. ALSO AT RED LIGHTS IF I PUMP THE BRAKES THEY BECOME REALLY HARD TO PUSH.
Service brakes, Jun 26, 2018
THE BRAKES FAIL(PERIODICALLY) AT LOW RPM DUE TO VACUUM BOOSTER PUMP FAILURE. TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN MOVING SLOWLY AT IDLE - ROLLING DOWN A DRIVEWAY ETC.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 13, 2018, crash
VEHICLE WAS STATINONARY, AND WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY. I HAVE DAMAGE TO REAREND, DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT END. AFTER THE ACCIDENT I RECIEVED AN EMAIL THAT THERE WAS A CRITICAL ISSUE WITH AIRBAGS, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED GM ABOUT ISSUE WAS TRANSFERRED TO ESIS/CENTRAL CLAIMS FOR GM, THEY SENT OUT AND INSPECTOR TO PULL CRASH DATA, I WAS GIVEN COPY OF CRASH DATA, AND CRASH DATA STATED AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THEY DID NOT, IT ALSO SHOWED A CODE B0052-00 WHICH IS AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CODE. AFTER WEEKS OF BACK AND FORTH MY CLAIM WAS DENIED FOR PRODUCT DEFECT ON 06/12/18,
Service brakes, May 21, 2018
I AM HAVING BRAKE ASSIST FAILURE AT ALL SPEEDS. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP WITHOUT APPLYING FULL FORCE. THE ABS 'CLICKING' CAN BE HEARD AND FELT WHILE TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES. THIS SYSTEM FAILED GOING DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS WITH A CAMPER BEHIND US AND CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. THE 'SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST' LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED.
Service brakes, Jan 23, 2018
I'M HAVING BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PETAL IS SUPER HARD TO PUSH DOWN AND IT ALMOST ISN'T ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TRUCK STOP ROLLING AT SLOW SPEEDS. TRUCK HAS RIGHT AT 43,XXX MILES ON IT AND IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Aug 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE OPERATING ON AN INCLINE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. KENNY ROSS CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (LOCATED AT 11250 US-30, NORTH HUNTINGTON, PA) WAS CONTACTED AND UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,025.
Service brakes, Jul 21, 2017
AT 4200 MILES THE FRONT RIGHT DISC BRAKE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT LEFT SHOWED NORMAL WEAR AND THAT IT STILL HAVE MORE THAN 50% LEFT ON THE PAD. THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER WAS NOT RETRACTING AND CAUSED THE BRAKE TO RUN COMPRESSED FOR A LONG TIME HENCE CAUSING UNREPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR. THE DEALER SERVICE DID NOT INFORM ME OF THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER, ONLY THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ROTOR AND BRAKES, NEVER MENTIONED THAT THE LEFT SIDE WAS NORMAL. IS THERE A RECALL FOR BRAKE CALIPERS ON THIS VEHICLE??
Service brakes, Jun 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKE FUNCTIONALITY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILLTOP CHEVROLET WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,367.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 21, 2017
UPON ACCELERATING AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT, POWER FAILS, STEERING LOCKS FOLLOWING GRINDING CLANKING SOUND IN STEERING COLUMN. ALSO OCCURS SAME SYMPTOMS IN ATTEMPT TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO PARK POSITION. MORE FREQUENT DOING THIS PROCEDURE. KEY MOVES BY ITSELF TO ORIGINALLY INPUT POSITION IN PROCESS OF LOCKING STEERING. THIS DEFECT OCCURRED EIGHT TIMES WITHIN FIVE DAYS, REQUIRING TOWING, AND BEING STRANDED. VEHICLE DELIVERED BY TOW SERVICE TO NEAREST CHEVY DEALER ON FIRST FEW FAILURES, VEHICLE RETURNED TO ORIGINAL DEALER 230 MILES AWAY NEAR OWNERS HOME AT COST OF OWNER. ORIGINAL DEALER BELIEVES DEFECT IS POTENTIALLY LIGNITION LOCKING SYSTEM, ATTEMPTING TO VERIFY AT THIS PERIOD. THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE OF LOOSING POWER AND SYSTEMS LOCKING UP JEOPARDIZE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS LIVES.AGAIN OCCURRENCES WERE AT VERY LOW SPEED OR IN MOTION OF PARKING.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Mar 19, 2017
WHILE IN MOTION IN CITY AT INTERSECTION, STOPPED FOR LIGHT, PROCEEDED FORWARD BUT STEERING LOCKED, BRAKES, AND IGNITION SWITCH INACTIVE, A GRINDING CLICKING NOISE HEARD JUST AS BEGAN ACCELERATING BEFORE SAFETY FAILURE. TRUCK TOWED TO A DEALER, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE, RELEASED TRUCK, PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN THREE DAYS CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE TOWED AGAIN. MECHANIC UNSURE, NO ERRORS CODES, HOWEVER SOUNDED SIMILAR TO EARLY RECALL BY GM FOR IGNITION SWITCH TORQUE PROBLEMS, BUT NOISE COULD BE PER MECHANIC SOMETHING IN RACK AND PINION OR ROTARY VENE PUMP. DEALER NOT COMMITTING AND SUGGEST TO DRIVE. SAFETY FOR LIVES IS CONCERN IN THIS MATTER WITH LACK OF ELECTRICAL, STEERING, BRAKES, AND IGNITION CONTROL BY DRIVER.
Steering, Wheels, Service brakes, Dec 7, 2016, crash
WENT TO MAKE LEFT TURN ON WET ROAD AN IT DIDN'T TURN IT SLIDE AN KEPT GOING STRAIGHT .IT JUST DOESN'T STOP IT SLIDES YES VEHICLE WAS MOVING THE ROAD WAS WET MADE THIS SAME TURN FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS IN MANY CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCKS AN THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED DIFFERENT TIME EVERYONE ALL TRAFFIC STOPS AT ONCE I TRIED TO STOP AN I SLIDE IN TO A VEHICLE SO HARD IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT BEFORE STOPPING THERE ARE 4 OF THESE TRUCKS BOUGHT AT THE SAME TIME SAME TRUCK SAME TIRE ON ALL 4 VEHICLES AND THERE ALL DRIVING AN ACTING THE SAME WAY. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 19, 2016
MY TRUCK CAME WITH AN OPTIONAL $770.00 TRAILERING PACKAGE INCLUDING AUTO LOCKING 3.42 RATIO REAR END, 5.3 LITRE V-8. THE SALES PITCH IS I CAN NOW TOW 9800 POUNDS. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE NO TRAILER BRAKES! SO HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STOP WHEN I'M TOWING 9800 LBS? I CONTACTED GM AND THEY GAVE ME A CLAIM # 8-2253662923 AND TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HEAR FROM THEM WITHIN 48 HOURS, 4 DAYS LATER I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT A SUPERVISOR NEEDED TO TALK TO ME, SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER ND SOMEONE WILL GET BACK TO ME, THAT WAS 2 WEEKS AGO. I THINK THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION, THIS WILL KILL PEOPLE! ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.