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: steering
111 reports, newest first. Show all
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, Feb 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ALSO FELT ABNORMAL. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE STEERING, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,500. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Feb 18, 2017, crash
SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING INCLUDING FRONT END SHAKE AND BRAKING PROBLEM.VEHICLE ONLY HAS 6000 MILES AND BOTH COUNTRY CLUB MOTORS AND CHEVROLET CORP.HAVE DENIED AND FAULT OF THERE'S.I AM A AUTO TECH OF 26 YEARS AND ASE CERTIFIED IN STEERING AND SUSPENSION BELIEVE THAT DEFECTIVE FRONT SUSPENSION PARTS ARE VERY MUCH TO BLAME BUT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM ALL ENDS.I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS A COVER UP AND REALLY NEEDS ATTENTION
Steering, Feb 17, 2017
I HAVE A 2016 SILVERADO Z71 4X4 HAS A LIFT KIT LIFT KIT WAS INSTALLED AT 5200 MILES TRUCK NOW HAS 6000MILES STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AT FULL TURNS U CAN FEEL THE STEERING WHEEL POP AND CLUNK THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE 3500 MILES ONE TIME I FULL TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT IT ON THE STEERING WHEEL NEVER PAYED ATTENTION AND SINCE THEN I FELT THE CLUNK POP WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION AND NOW WITH THE LIFT ON I CAN FEEL IT POP MORE AND IT'S GETTING ANNOYING MY FRIEND ALSO WITH A 2015 SILVERADO 4X4 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 10K MILES WHEN TURNING 90DEGRESS HE GETS THE CLUNK AND FEELS IT SKIPS A GEAR FROM THE GEARS INSIDE THE RACK PINION NOW I'M SCARED THAT OR WORRIED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT. HAPPEN TO MY STEERING AND GOD FORBID I MIGHT LOSS CONTROL OF THE TRUCK
Steering, Feb 3, 2017
STEERING STIFF IN COLD AND NEVER GETS BETTER AFTER VEHICLE WARMS UP. ANYTIME BELOW 5 DEGREES F. I HAVE HAD IT IN AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE WHOLE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM WITH NO HELP TO THE ISSUE. I HAVE READ OTHER FORUMS WHERE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. AT SLOW SPEEDS REQUIRES TWO HANDS TO TURN VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS IF IN A PANIC SITUATION. DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. I LIVE IN MN AND HAVE HAD OTHER GM PICKUPS (1999,2010,2013) WITH NO SUCH ISSUES IN THE COLD WEATHER. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Dec 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER CONTROL ARMS FRACTURED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
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
Steering, Aug 29, 2016
ELECTRIC STEERING FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A LONG TRIP, WHEN NEW. THE STEERING, WHEN OUT, WAS VERY HARD TO STEER BUT DID NOT LOCK UP OR CAUSE ANY SUDDEN TRUCK MOVEMENTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE ELECTRIC STEERING ON THE NEW TRUCK. NO MORE ISSUES AFTERWARDS.
Steering, Aug 12, 2016
I WAS LEAVING MY HOME MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AS I WAS COMING UP TO THE 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT THERE WAS A BEEP AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO TURN. A MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY ADVISING TO GET POWER STEERING SERVICED.I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS TWO MILES AWAY. WAS ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING PUMP WENT BAD. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200 MILES AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT SINCE APRIL 29, 2016. CHEVROLET NOTIFIED. VEHICLE IS AT STEVENSON CHEVROLET, SWANSBORO, NC 28584. IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY I PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Jun 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.
Steering, Feb 24, 2016
I PURCHASED A 2016 SILVERADO 1500 4WD LTZ CREW ON FEBRUARY 08, 2016. ON FEBRUARY 20, 2016 WITH JUST 312 NEW MILES DRIVEN ON THE NEW VEHICLE, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR GOING WEST ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY MIDDLE LANE IN NASSAU COUNTY NEW YORK. WITH NO POWER STEERING ON A SIX THOUSAND POUND TRUCK, I HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PARKWAY AND EXIT THE PARKWAY WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY CALL FOR ROAD SIDE SERVICED AND THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOCATED IN VALLEY STREAM, NY STATED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2016 THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC RACK OPINION FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS DEFECTED WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED DURING THE ASSEMBLY BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE 2016 SILVERADO 1500 TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 2/08/2016, AND I HAVE CONCERNS THAT OTHER MECHANICAL PARTS IN THE VEHICLE MAY BE DEFECTED AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.