2016 GMC Sierra 1500
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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 |
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 83 |
| 1998 | 59 |
| 1999 | 158 |
| 2000 | 181 |
| 2001 | 140 |
| 2002 | 166 |
| 2003 | 180 |
| 2004 | 212 |
| 2005 | 177 |
| 2006 | 144 |
| 2007 | 261 |
| 2008 | 379 |
| 2009 | 234 |
| 2010 | 167 |
| 2011 | 283 |
| 2012 | 106 |
| 2013 | 115 |
| 2014 | 736 |
| 2015 | 711 |
| 2016 | 337 |
| 2017 | 350 |
| 2018 | 293 |
| 2019 | 601 |
| 2020 | 435 |
| 2021 | 511 |
| 2022 | 528 |
| 2023 | 408 |
| 2024 | 312 |
| 2025 | 90 |
| 2026 | 58 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
29% of complaints: service brakes — 99 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
IN MARCH OF 2018, I BOUGHT MY 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500 Z71 4X4 USED WITH 36,000 MILES ON IT FROM CRAIN KIA OF CONWAY, AR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180912
WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE RAISED AND YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD BE PUSHING THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE LOWERED THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE STEP ON THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN RAISED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170227
24% of complaints: power train — 82 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
VEHICLE SHAKES & VIBRATES AT SPEED I & OTHER OWNERS ARE REPORTING THAT CONDITION LEADS TO HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, AND NAUSEA. THIS TRUCK IS A REPLACEMENT FOR A 2014 THAT EXHIBITED SAME ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160308
15% of complaints: electrical system — 51 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that her husband remote started the vehicle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the defrosters automatically activated.
NHTSA ODI report, 20251124
I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 GMC SIERRA 4X4 FROM BOB KING AUTO IN WILMINGTON NC WITH 0 MILE'S ON IT VERY EXPENSIVE TRUCK. YOU CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT TO DRIVE THE HEADLIGHT'S THE HEADLIGHT'S HAVE NO DISTANCE TO THEM MAYBE 25 FT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160707
11% of complaints: steering — 37 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: engine — 37 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 16V256000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V651000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V437000 — check if this car was fixed
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
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.
Campaign 19V645000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V761000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 21V504000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 20V736000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 GMC Sierra 1500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (99 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (82 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (51 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 20V736000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V256000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V651000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V437000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V645000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V761000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V504000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.