2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
67/100
#6 most-complained of 16 Silverado 3500 years
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a 'Caution' rating. NHTSA lists 51 complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 crashes, with Steering as the top problem area (29% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering15 (29%)
- Brakes11 (22%)
- Fuel System11 (22%)
- Electrical System8 (16%)
- Engine8 (16%)
- Structure & Body6 (12%)
- Other4 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report brakes requiring pumping or heavy pedal pressure to stop the truck effectively.
- Steering feels loose or sloppy at highway speed, causing wander similar to strong wind gusts, sometimes needing correction shortly after delivery.
- A hydraulic recirculating ball steering gear was replaced after leaking at the shaft seals on a new truck.
- Fuel transfer pumps have failed or caused the fuel gauge to fluctuate between full and empty, sometimes with a burning smell or smoke.
- Airbags failed to deploy during rear or frontal impacts in some reported crashes.
- A power bus bar and starter wiring issue caused the radio to malfunction and the doors to lock, trapping the driver inside.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls
6 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 19V088000Feb 7, 2019Fuel System18,574 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
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. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Risk: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
- 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.
2016 compared with other Silverado 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 model a Complaint Index of 67, ranking it 6th worst among 16 model years, with a 'Caution' verdict relative to other Silverado 3500 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Silverado 3500?
- Steering issues make up 29% of complaints, followed by brakes and fuel system problems, each at 22%. Electrical system and engine complaints each account for 16%.
- Are there recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering airbags, fuel system, brakes, and seat belts, including a brake pedal pivot nut campaign and a roof-rail airbag inflator recall.
- How does the 2016 Silverado 3500 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 67, the 2016 model ranks worse than years like 2014 (Best, index 13) and 2017 (Best, index 0), but better than 2024, which has the highest index at 100.
- At what mileage do 2016 Silverado 3500 problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 24,485 miles, though brakes and transmission issues were reported at a median of 13,000 miles.