2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering complaints dominate, making up 37% of the 123 complaints, with 5 recalls filed including two for brakes and two for airbags.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Silverado 2500 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 123
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering46 (37%)
- Electrical System22 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (15%)
- Brakes14 (11%)
- Fuel System13 (11%)
- Engine9 (7%)
- Other9 (7%)
- Structure & Body5 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Seat Belts4 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can become loose, allowing several inches of play before the wheels respond, creating a dangerous driving condition.
- Power steering assist has reportedly cut out while driving at highway speed, leading to loss of control and a crash.
- Brake pedal has reportedly gone to the floor with no stopping power, resulting in a collision.
- Rear defroster wiring has reportedly overheated, produced smoke, and caused a rear window section to fail with fire.
- Rear heater element has reportedly caught fire and shattered the rear passenger window.
- Low and high beam headlights are described as dim and narrow, making it hard to see at night or in wet conditions.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 recalls
5 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 18V578000Aug 30, 2018Brakes42,280 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
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. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
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. 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 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
- NHTSA 17V437000Jul 10, 2017Seat Belts40,683 vehicles
Seat belts:pretensioner
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 Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
2016 compared with other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016 model has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 11th worst of 21 model years, which earns a Caution verdict relative to other Silverado 2500 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Silverado 2500?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 46 of 123 complaints (37%), including reports of loose steering and power steering loss.
- Does the 2016 Silverado 2500 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 model, covering airbags, brakes, and seat belt software, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- What years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data shows 2005, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2020, and 2024 rated Avoid, with 2024 having the highest Complaint Index at 100, while 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2017 rated Best.
- At what mileage do 2016 Silverado 2500 problems show up?
- Across all reported problem areas, the median mileage at failure for this year is 35,000 miles, with steering issues showing up at a median of 28,500 miles.