2016 Chevrolet Express Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Chevrolet Express has a complaint index of 58 and ranks 9th worst out of 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 15 complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 fire reports, with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 58/100
- #9 of 20 Express years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 13
- 11 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Chevy Express problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes3 (20%)
- Electrical System3 (20%)
- Engine3 (20%)
- Structure & Body3 (20%)
- Other2 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
- Fuel System1 (7%)
- Seat Belts1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the brakes applying on their own while driving, in one case locking up at 35 mph after a dealer brake job.
- Sliding or side doors reportedly close on their own while the van is parked on an incline, even with no one touching them.
- Owners describe a fuel leak paired with an abnormal fuel odor and the engine stalling at 55 mph.
- Some report the vehicle bouncing noticeably on uneven pavement or bridge expansion joints, especially at highway speed.
- Owners note the service theft deterrent warning light coming on, sometimes traced to the ignition key.
- Water intrusion around the driver's side visor was reported, leaking onto the instrument panel and floor.
2016 Chevrolet Express recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V387000May 23, 2019Visibility & Wipers1,159 vehicles
Visibility:glass, side/rear
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: Tempered glass increases the risk of injury in the event of a side impact or rollover crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tempered glass windows with laminated glass windows, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192218960.
- NHTSA 18V655000Sep 21, 2018Electrical System30,448 vehicles
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a single, manual, rear climate control module (CCM). If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.
Risk: If the CCM overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire in the vehicle's headliner.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the electrical insulation from a wiring connector within the CCM to remove the fire risk, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 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 18299.
- NHTSA 18V295000May 3, 2018Visibility & Wipers207,483 vehicles
Visibility:power window devices and controls
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with power windows. Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.
Risk: High electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side window switch, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 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 18155.
2016 Chevrolet Express fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 11 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 13 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Express years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Express reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Express a complaint index of 58 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among 20 model years of the Express. It is not among the worst years, but it trails several better-scoring years like 2011 and 2015.
- What problems does the 2016 Chevrolet Express have?
- NHTSA complaints point to brakes, electrical system, engine, and structure/body issues as the top problem areas, each accounting for 20% of complaints. Two of the fifteen complaints involved fires related to brakes.
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Express, covering rear-quarter window glass, a climate control module wiring issue, power window switch corrosion, a fire extinguisher replacement, a rearview mirror, and a TPMS/hardware installation. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Chevrolet Express should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2020, and 2021 rank worse than 2016, all carrying Avoid verdicts. The 2016 model sits in the middle with a Caution rating.
- What is the best year for the Chevrolet Express?
- Among the years with data, 2011 and 2015 score as Best, with complaint indexes of 21 and 16, well below the 2016 model's 58.