2016 GMC Sierra 3500
Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
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.
Only 19 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 10 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1999 | 19 |
| 2000 | 26 |
| 2001 | 36 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 24 |
| 2005 | 24 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 19 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
6 of 19 total reports mention: steering.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE PASSING A BOAT RAMP HAULING A BOAT TRAILER, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180725
-ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170201
6 of 19 total reports mention: service brakes.
Show complaint excerpts
When braking, the service trailer brake system message and service stabilitrac message appear on the dash and brake pedal gets soft to hard repeatedly and truck pulls from side to side violently as if one side of the trucks brakes are working and...
NHTSA ODI report, 20240620
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE PASSING A BOAT RAMP HAULING A BOAT TRAILER, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180725
-ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170201
5 of 19 total reports mention: engine.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE PASSING A BOAT RAMP HAULING A BOAT TRAILER, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180725
3 of 19 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.
Show complaint excerpts
Bosch CP4 fuel pump failure that shut down vehicle while driving, luckily did not cause an accident. Would not restart. Damaged entire fuel system including injectors and now have $17,000 in damage that needs repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240201
This is a 2016 GMC 3500 Denali truck with 70,000 miles on it. The Bosch fuel pump threw metal shavings into the fuel system. This is a known issue with GMC trucks with a Bosch CP4 fuel pump for 2011-2016.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231011
2 of 19 total reports mention: power train.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 16V069000 — 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
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.
Campaign 18V578000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks.
Remedy: GM has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear-tank fuel-pump module, inspect the front tank and, if necessary, replace the front tank, free of charge. The recall began July 30, 2019. GM's number for this recall is N182204190.
Campaign 19V088000 — 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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 GMC Sierra 3500 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (5 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 16V069000 (service brakes, hydraulic) 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 18V578000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V088000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V504000 (air bags) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
6 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.