2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
55/100
#10 most-complained of 21 Silverado 1500 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area with 280 complaints (35% share) and a median failure mileage of 50,000.
- Complaints
- 799
- Recalls
- 13
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 43 / 10
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes280 (35%)
- Transmission & Powertrain193 (24%)
- Electrical System132 (17%)
- Steering111 (14%)
- Engine83 (10%)
- Other83 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires44 (6%)
- Fuel System27 (3%)
- Structure & Body25 (3%)
- Airbags20 (3%)
What owners report
- Brake pedal becomes extremely hard to push or fails to slow the truck, including on wet roads at low speed.
- Roof-rail airbags fail to deploy in rear-end and frontal collisions.
- Steering wheel fails to respond, in one case causing a crash into a light pole after the steering column was replaced.
- Electrical fires have started with the vehicle parked, in one case reported by a neighbor.
- Transmission surges or jumps forward unexpectedly when easing into a parking space.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V504000Jul 1, 2021Airbags410,019 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
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. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
- NHTSA 21V245000Apr 8, 2021Seat Belts2,568 vehicles
Seat belts:front
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 or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
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. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
- NHTSA 20V736000Nov 25, 2020Airbags9,279 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
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. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
Risk: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
2016 compared with other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Silverado 1500 gets a Caution verdict, ranking 10th worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 55.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Silverado 1500?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 280 complaints and 35% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 50,000.
- Does the 2016 Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2016 Silverado 1500, covering airbags, seat belts, and brakes, including one do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2016 Silverado 1500 compare to other years?
- The 2016 model has a complaint index of 55, better than 2014 (100) and 2015 (85), which are rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2012 and 2013, which earn a Best verdict.
- Were there any crashes or injuries linked to the 2016 Silverado 1500?
- NHTSA data shows 43 crashes, 10 fires, 17 injuries, and 1 death reported for the 2016 Silverado 1500.