2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
792
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 2000: 613 complaints 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2002 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 358 complaints 2006 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2009: 444 complaints 2010: 363 complaints 2010 2011: 563 complaints 2012: 216 complaints 2013: 301 complaints 2014: 1,434 complaints 2015: 1,105 complaints 2016: 792 complaints 2016 792 2017: 712 complaints 2018: 518 complaints 2019: 1,077 complaints 2020: 730 complaints 2021: 827 complaints 2022: 630 complaints 2022 2023: 381 complaints 2024: 303 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 98 complaints 2026
1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1996 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 2000: 613 complaints 2000 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2002 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2004 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 358 complaints 2006 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2008 2009: 444 complaints 2010: 363 complaints 2010 2011: 563 complaints 2012: 216 complaints 2012 2013: 301 complaints 2014: 1,434 complaints 2014 2015: 1,105 complaints 2016: 792 complaints 2016 792 2017: 712 complaints 2018: 518 complaints 2018 2019: 1,077 complaints 2020: 730 complaints 2020 2021: 827 complaints 2022: 630 complaints 2022 2023: 381 complaints 2024: 303 complaints 2024 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 98 complaints 2026
1994: 10 complaints 1994 1995: 3 complaints 1996: 7 complaints 1996 1997: 555 complaints 1998: 361 complaints 1998 1999: 587 complaints 2000: 613 complaints 2000 2001: 468 complaints 2002: 509 complaints 2002 2003: 805 complaints 2004: 797 complaints 2004 2005: 525 complaints 2006: 358 complaints 2006 2007: 849 complaints 2008: 914 complaints 2008 2009: 444 complaints 2010: 363 complaints 2010 2011: 563 complaints 2012: 216 complaints 2012 2013: 301 complaints 2014: 1,434 complaints 2014 2015: 1,105 complaints 2016: 792 complaints 2016 792 2017: 712 complaints 2018: 518 complaints 2018 2019: 1,077 complaints 2020: 730 complaints 2020 2021: 827 complaints 2022: 630 complaints 2022 2023: 381 complaints 2024: 303 complaints 2024 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 98 complaints 2026

2016: 792 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199410
19953
19967
1997555
1998361
1999587
2000613
2001468
2002509
2003805
2004797
2005525
2006358
2007849
2008914
2009444
2010363
2011563
2012216
2013301
20141,434
20151,105
2016792
2017712
2018518
20191,077
2020730
2021827
2022630
2023381
2024303
202597
202698

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

34% · 267 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle suffered a failure cascade of the brake booster vacuum pump system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-13

Also filed under Electrical system

I was pulling up behind a vehicle that was entering the highway when I noticed that the driver had to yield to oncoming traffic and did not continue driving.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-07-15

Power train

24% · 191 reports

Most commonly citing transfer case (4-wheel drive) and torque converter.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

"While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion/acceleration due to internal failure of the 6L80 6-speed automatic transmission.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-03

Electrical system

15% · 120 reports

Most commonly citing software and speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. A neighbor alerted the contact that the vehicle was on fire. Upon inspection, the contact noticed flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-22

Also filed under Engine

Approximately one week ago I was driving at a safe speed on a two-lane highway. Suddenly, my steering wheel and truck jerked to the right. For 8-10 seconds a warning message was displayed "Power Steering ...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-25

Also filed under Steering

Steering

14% · 110 reports

Most commonly citing steering control module and rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

For the past 2 years ive been having issues of losing power steering. Lots of parts and modules have been replaced out of pocket. Still not fixed. When it goes out it can be out for days to weeks and is extremely hard to steer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-12

Engine

9% · 71 reports
FIRE

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 792 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-03-14Service brakes, hydraulic16V069000 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...

    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.

  3. R
    2016-05-18Suspension16V256000 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.

    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.

  4. R
    2016-10-13Air bags, seat belts16V651000 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...

    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.

  5. R
    2017-08-04Air bags, seat belts17V437000 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...

    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.

  6. R
    2018-06-19Seat belts18V291000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles.

    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.

  7. R
    2018-10-03Service brakes, hydraulic18V578000 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.

    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.

  8. I
    2018-11-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-04-10 Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
  9. R
    2019-10-08Service brakes, hydraulic19V645000 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.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.

  10. R
    2019-12-11Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic19V761000 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.

    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.

  11. R
    2021-05-05Seat belts21V245000 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: 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.

  12. R
    2022-05-05Air bags21V504000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks.

    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.

  13. R
    Date not on fileAir bags20V736000 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.

    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.

  14. R
    Date not on fileAir bags26V611000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 267 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 191 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 120 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 20V736000 · Air bags
  • Recall 26V611000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V069000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 16V256000 · Suspension
  • Recall 16V651000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 17V437000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 18V291000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 18V578000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V645000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V761000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 21V245000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V504000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.