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, Nov 8, 2023
low RPM braking failure. Power assistance fails at low RPM (around 500 - 600) requiring me to apply full body weight to brake pedal to get vehicle to slow and stop. This is a well known and documented problem, but NHTSA won't extend a recall for this issue even when issuing recalls for same problem on other GM trucks, why?
Service brakes, Nov 1, 2023
Truck does not stop have to apply hard brakes and even then truck won’t come to a complete stop
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 21, 2023
The truck has had its major service to replace all fluids at 70,000 miles. One of the services was a notable vibration and shaking through the steering wheel and on the brakes. Higher the speed the more the vibration. When brakes are applied the vibration gets worse. The vehicles brakes and rotors were checked and good. The mechanic said that the brake pump was slightly loose and it was tightened. It did slightly ease the vibration, but less that a few days later it is back to the same vibrating. The brake power feels weak and when I need to brake I feel like the vehicle is not stopping. I have owner a 2014 Silverado before this and did not have this issue. I took it back to the dealer and they did an alignment which did not help.
Service brakes, Jul 13, 2023
My 2016 Chevy Silverado had intermittent hard braking. Especially at slower speeds the brake pedal would get very hard to press and needed a lot of effort to stop. I was especially concerned having newer drivers in my household that the truck was unsafe. I nearly hit others vehicles especially at stoplights and in parking lots. The vehicle was taken to the GM dealer who said it was under recall and completed the repairs. However even though the recall repairs were completed the vehicle still continued to have hard braking issues. It was not resolved until I had the brake vacuum booster pump replaced by a 3rd party as GM was unwilling to complete the repair under the recall
Service brakes, Jul 9, 2023
Backing up truck to put a boat in the water and no brakes had put push really hard to stop the truck from going in to the lake. When moving slowly there is hardly any brakes on the truck
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 6, 2023
Trailer brake system warning has been flashing non stop for 2 weeks. I do not use or tow anything with this vehicle. Usually it locks up the steering wheel while parking my truck and shuts down the engine. Yesterday I was going 55 on the highway and the warning came on and it shut down the truck tried to put the vehicle in park and rapidly applied the breaks then the truck electrical system came back too and the truck was rolling I pull off to the shoulder to shut the truck off and turn it back on. At the time I had both my sons in the vehicle 4 years old and 9 months. Again usually it always happens when parking my truck (under 5mph) it will lock the steering wheel and totally shut down the trucks engine. Huge safety concern.
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 17, 2023
Dash board instrument panel and radio loses all power, May even cause vehicle to shut off not able to steer, If the cruise control is set it shuts it off. It mostly happens when you apply the brake or if I operate my passenger window from driver door controls. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Has not been inspected by the manufacturer or any other representatives. No it gives no indication prior to the failure. I have been researching it on google and youtube, I have seen a lot of owners with the same problem but no one seem to have a solution. Thank you
Service brakes, May 6, 2023
Backing up slowly with/without a trailer and have to pump the brakes to stop or stand on the brakes or pumping the brakes and having to use the emergency brake to stop, rev up the engine, put in reverse and have to do the previous steps all over again. This only happens going slowly in reverse. I was told by a mechanic it could be the vacuum pump or TSB on the vacuum pump. No warning messages display. This is a safety risk to myself and others and could cause an accident.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal while making a right turn, the steering wheel independently turned to the left. The contact stated the stabili-trak warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact continued to experience the failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Apr 3, 2023
Barking system. it seams like when I’m in the city the brakes will not engage properly, at some point I’ve had to use the emergency brake to stop. on the freeway the brakes work good but when running at low rpm it’s like the brakes go to the floor and the truck is still moving. I went to get my brakes inspected and brake pads are still good, brake fluid was good. They told me to bring it in when the brakes fail again so they could see what was happening. Transmission was replace at 65000 miles because of a faulty torque converter
Service brakes, Mar 19, 2023
No brakes at low speed. Problem persists after recall. Needs a vacuum pump. Known problem with Chevrolet and they won’t replace it.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) was reprogrammed; however, the pump failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,553.
Service brakes, Feb 8, 2023
I was in a drive thru food chain going forward slowly. The brakes seemed hard and I had to really push hard to get the vehicle to stop. I went to a private mechanic who I trust totally. I had the front rotors and all pads replaced due to normal wear. We went on a trip with no braking issues. After returning home and backing down the driveway the brakes seemed hard again and was not stopping the vehicle properly. There were no warning lights on. This only seems to occur at very low speeds and is an alarming when it happens. I have been told by a dealership that there are no recalls on this vehicle. However looking on line I have seen videos and articles about faulty vacuum pumps and braking modules that needed reprogramming that effect braking as I have described. I don't want to take this to a dealership until I know for sure if there is a recall or not. Thanks
Service brakes, Feb 1, 2023
AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS BRAKES WONT WORK PROPERLY, BRAKING POWER DECREASES AND IS REALLY HARD TO STOP.
Service brakes, Jan 31, 2023
Was driving got up to stop sign the belt made a squaling noise and the brake pedal was hard brakes failed and i couldnt stop
Service brakes, Jan 27, 2023
My 2016 Chevy Silverado is experiencing the same low speed braking problem that occurs mostly at low speeds like driving in parking lots or stop and go traffic as defined in 19V-645 and N192268490. Driving at these speeds and braking feels like the brakes are completely failing and require excessive force on the brake pedal to stop. What do I do?
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 14, 2023
I was door dashing then a service alert came on the dash… I had pulled over to check what it meant about the trailer brake system. I have never towed or have a trailer to tow around! So continued to drive then my truck cut off then cut on while I was trying to make a turn. Then I pulled over again and luckily a mechanic said it’s wiring that’s defected in my truck and I need to get fix! I don’t have no money to get this fix , is there a way I can get some assistance with this?
Service brakes, Jan 10, 2023, crash
I had brakes fixed from recall But they were not properly fixed they gave out on me again barely going 5 miles an hour I hit the back of some one They still are not working properly.
Service brakes, Dec 12, 2022
ABS is activated at low speed. Hard pedal and stopping is almost impossible at speeds less than 5 MPH in forward or reverse drive.
Service brakes, Dec 4, 2022
At low speeds, the brake pedal requires much more effort but doesn't engage as quickly as normal driving, so the car still rolls forward even though the brake pedal is fully depressed. This is problematic when parking or at stop signs or stop lights. Plus, it is very dangerous.
Service brakes, Nov 8, 2022
When backing out of a parking spot or driving slow breaks almost do not work Will barely stop the the vehicle
Service brakes, Nov 2, 2022
1. The brake vacuum failed. 2. Mine and other drivers safety was put at risk because the vehicle was unable to come to a complete stop even when brake pedal was fully engaged. 3. The problem has been since fixed by a mechanic, before we knew of a previous recall on this particular issue. 4. There were no warnings displayed.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 2, 2022
Trailer break warning keeps going off. Service trailer break
Service brakes, Sep 24, 2022
On 09/22/2022, the power assist for the brakes suddenly and without warning failed during slow forward and reverse maneuvering in a parking lot, resulting in an increase in brake pedal pressure and travel to slow and stop the vehicle. Contact with a proximate vehicle was narrowly avoided. A service brakes message appeared in the central information panel between the tachometer and speedometer. Turning off the ignition and then turning the ignition switch back to start the vehicle extinguished the service brake message, and power assist for the brakes returned to nominal function. This occurrence is a safety of driving concern because of its sudden onset without warning and the need to immediately compensate with the application of significantly increased brake pedal pressure to slow and stop the vehicle. A corresponding increase in braking distance was not measured but was distinctly noticed.
Service brakes, Sep 12, 2022
At low speeds the brakes become hard and vehicle will not stop requiring increased stopping distance. It appears there is a recall for this, but my VIN does not seem to be included. Reference NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000.