Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

● Typical for this model

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:56:19.681Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 122
Recalls: 6
Investigations: 0
Top problem: Steering

Complaints per year

2016: 122 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1994	3
1995	3
1996	2
1997	64
1998	73
1999	81
2000	132
2001	300
2002	351
2003	449
2004	368
2005	269
2006	177
2007	204
2008	191
2009	61
2010	21
2011	104
2012	53
2013	51
2014	40
2015	177
2016	122
2017	54
2018	53
2019	74
2020	105
2021	89
2022	96
2023	47
2024	142
2025	29
2026	12

Known problem areas

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

Steering

40% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and idler and attachment.

CRASH

Power train

15% · 18 reports

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I purchased a heavy large steel cabinet which was loaded onto my pickup truck. When I arrived at home, I was going to lift the cabinet off of my truck with a john deere loader. I parked my truck on my lawn.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-29

While driving my truck in 6TH gear at 65 MPH, I approached a hill and I changed the gear selector to the manual position and to my surprise it went into 4TH gear, racing the rpms up to 3500 and tried to slow the truck down quicker than I wanted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-10-07

Electrical system

15% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

Electrical connections not sealed at horn assembly leads to corrosion and horn to stop functioning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-14

This is not a safety issue but I am experiencing a problem with my audio system in the 2016 Silverado 2500 high country truck. The audio seems to go in and out of stereo sound and also ssems to be changing its equalization periodically.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-11-08

Service brakes

12% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Fuel/propulsion system

7% · 8 reports

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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.

Check if this car was fixed →
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.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Steering: 49 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 18 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 26V611000 · Air bags
Recall 16V069000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 16V651000 · Air bags, seat belts
Recall 17V437000 · Air bags, seat belts
Recall 18V578000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
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 2500 reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?: The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?: 6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.