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
798 reports, newest first.
Engine, Jul 29, 2025
65,300 miles on my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado with the 5.3 liter engine. Engine lifter and camshaft failure due to the AFM/DFM system. Now my truck is being worked on as we speak by a performance shop who says these seem to be a normal occurrence. Some with more miles and some with less millage. After doing some research online, this is a very common problem. And on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook there is a lot of people having same issues. My question is why isn't this being looked into. I've asked other mechanics, speed shops, and including a Chevrolet Dealer mechanic and he said yes that AFM/DFM is a major problem. But no recall from GM. Please help. This is not a cheap repair, and It's definitely unfair to many others that will have these same issues.
Service brakes, Jul 28, 2025
For the last month or so, occasionally when I am going anywhere around 30-60 and I press the brakes, the vehicle will lose power for a few seconds and Stabilitrak is activated. It has locked up the brakes twice in the last 2 weeks when I was parking and could have caused an accident and if it happens when I am driving, I worry that it will cause an accident. I did some research and saw that there is a recall on my year and model. The symptoms it describes are exactly what my truck is doing but when I put in my VIN, it does not show the recall on my truck.
Power train, Jul 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.
Power train, Jul 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle had experienced hesitation to accelerate and reduced speeds. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Service brakes, Jul 15, 2025, crash
There is a recall (N182202780) for certain models of gm apparently, but my truck does not fall under the recall though it is the same exact problem with the brake vacuum. When pumping my brake pedal, my brakes become almost non responsive, causing me to back into my secondary vehicle.
Steering, Jul 12, 2025
I own a 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 with around 61,000 miles on it. I work from home at the moment so I do not put a lot of miles on the vehicle. I drove the vehicle last on July 5 2025 and it sat in our driveway until July 10 2025. I got into the truck and the dash read “service power steering drive with care” and the power steering would not work and it was very difficult to turn the wheel. I tried starting the truck again and the message still displayed and the loss of power steering became intermittent. The power steering would work briefly and then the steering would lock up become stiff again. I let the truck sit over night and came out the next day in the afternoon to see what it was doing. I started the truck and the message did not display I tried to drive it up and down the road to see if it would come back. I drove for about 5 minutes and parked it back in my driveway and the issue came right back. I’m afraid to drive it completely on any main roads for the fact it might come back while I’m driving and cause me to crash or worse.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 11, 2025
This vehicle has been driven only on highway and local paved suburban roads. Fully maintained per Manufacturer recommendations. This vehicle has never been used to tow. Transmission suddenly failed during driving creating an unsafe condition on a 55mph busy road.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 2, 2025
At low speeds and turning right or left the steering wheel locks up if wheel is turned quickly and engine quits momentarily, power is lost to instruments and radio, etc. or in one case the vehicle has shut off completely. I saw that there was a recall for this on earlier models but not for my VIN (2016 Silverado 1500)
Power train, Seat belts, Jul 1, 2025
Problem 1: passenger side seatbelt does not retract. Problem 2: the transmission failed due to a bad torque converter. This is apparently a well known problem that General Motors has been ignoring. The cost to repair is approximately $6,500.00 which, for a senior citizen is really going to hurt my cost of living.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 26, 2025
Transmission issues already had one replaced 5/9/24 having issues again going to be 3rd transmission also having issues now with electrical system going out while driving and dinging noise,when entering or exiting vehicle here rebooting system whining. Going to contact car coverage to have vehicle inspected again for the problems.
Service brakes, Jun 15, 2025
We had a auto shop do work and left are breaks lose And they do not tighten bolts both break calibers were lose and according to the lawyer we spoke with they do not have a business licenses Triad Transmission & Auto Repair 244 NC-22, Ramseur, NC 27316 Junior akins and John kearns
Seat belts, Jun 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle and attempting to fasten the driver's side seat belt, the seat belt floor anchor detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt floor anchor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 260,000.
Steering, May 23, 2025
Power steering suddenly quit at highway speed. Found a loose negative battery Pole. Tighten it. Then two weeks later it did the same thing at highway speed. No steering at all. Very dangerous at 70 mph on curved roads. Took it to chev dealer truck repair shop. Said the negative cable was bad and an electric motor in the steering housing had an electric short. Able to fix it at $2729!
Steering, Electrical system, May 22, 2025
I have a 2016 Silverado 1500 I bought new. It only has 33000 miles on it. Last week I was backing my boat into the shop and the steering wheel jerked back and forth on its own pretty violently and a stabilitrac warning popped up and the radio screen kinda went dead for a second. Then last night I was pulling in a parking space at a restaurant and it did it again. This time it jerked and went dead enough to cut the truck completely off. I had to put it in park and crank the truck again. It actually reset the radios time and date.
Engine and engine cooling, May 16, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal tapping sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2025
Air conditioning stopped cooling, research found AC condenser cracked allowing Freon to leak out.
Engine, May 14, 2025
Engine camshaft is out only 105k on vehicle. $6k to fix for it to just happen again which these trucks are known for this which is a huge manufacturer flaw. Driving down the hwy and check engine turned on quickly and whole truck shaking had to pull over going 60mph small shoulder on hwy. Taken to 2 mechanics both told me have to pull heads replace camshaft lifters. For this to be a known issue with these motors they put out and cost people thousands and risking safety is unreal
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2025
Unknown
Service brakes, May 12, 2025
Vacuum pump intermittent failure. Not always but during periods of traffic the brakes get stiff and I have a service brake assist notification come on. Then it goes away and all braking is functional and fine
Service brakes, May 9, 2025
ABS system and trailer brakes lights on dashboard come on and until the truck is off and sits for awhile the abs will start working again. Have had several shops look at it and have heard several different things. Started with the cheaper side of things and still no luck for a solution.
Engine, May 9, 2025
It is commonly known the Chevy 5.3 and 6.2 engines have lifter problems. Not sure why there has not been some sort of recall done already.
Power train, Engine, May 5, 2025
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Crew Cab Transmission (6 speed automatic) 97,000 miles - At 70 mph in traffic, the transmission decided to stop working with no warning, stranded on highway 800 miles from home at 7:15 pm on Saturday, June 28, 2024. - Got it to a Chevy dealership, they had to replace the transmission. - 4 days and $7,100 later I had transportation again. - Do not have the blown transmission, dealership kept it. Engine (5.3L V8 EcoTec3) 103,000 miles - At 35 mph in traffic, the engine lost all power and had a very loud clunking sound. Had to have it towed. December 7, 2024 - Had to have it rebuilt, 3 lifters were broken along with other things. - 3 weeks and $5,600 later I had transportation again. - I have the box of parts that had to be replaced.
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2025
Unknown, my transmission gave up on me but there was no warning light and I almost got in a car accident due to the transmission 8l90
Power train, Apr 30, 2025
Transmission completely destroyed. Transmission known to have various problems had in shop twice and still not right! Total cost so far is 4800 dollars
Power train, Apr 26, 2025
The transmission failed prematurely (just over 95,000 miles). Before i had it rebuilt, It was lurching forward as I was coming to a stop. It also had trouble switching gears (very rough) and a loss of power. I understand this transmission is part of a class action lawsuit. I wanted to make sure my experience was documented with the other cases. General Motors needs to correct this problem and reimburse owners for work already completed. I will dig up my transmission repair documentation and include it with this record. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)