YearToAvoid

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 has a complaint index of 80, ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict with 51 complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 crashes reported to NHTSA.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#5 of 21 Silverado 3500 years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
51
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2017
rated Best

Top 2016 Chevy Silverado 3500 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering15 (29%)
  2. Brakes11 (22%)
  3. Fuel System11 (22%)
  4. Electrical System8 (16%)
  5. Engine8 (16%)
  6. Structure & Body6 (12%)
  7. Other4 (8%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
  9. Airbags2 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Steering feels loose or sloppy at highway speeds, with owners describing wander similar to strong wind gusts.
  • Brakes require heavy or repeated pedal pressure to stop the truck effectively.
  • Fuel gauge readings fluctuate between full and empty, sometimes tied to a failing transfer pump with smoke or a fuel odor.
  • Electrical faults include a shorted power bus bar and a loose starter wire that caused the radio to malfunction and doors to lock unexpectedly.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during crash impacts, including a rear collision and two separate accidents where other vehicles' airbags deployed but this truck's did not.
  • A missing grille cover let debris build up on the radiator coils, which owners linked to the transmission running hot.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 complaints: complaints filed per month3Sep 2016May 2017Jan 2018Oct 2018Nov 2019Oct 2021Jul 2023Mar 2025
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2016 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2016 (3).

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 →

2016 compared with other Silverado 3500 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Best5103—
2015Caution70527—
2016Avoid80516—
2017Best0136—
2018Best10196—

All Chevrolet Silverado 3500 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 Silverado 3500 a complaint index of 80, the 5th worst of 21 model years, with 51 complaints and 6 recalls, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Silverado 3500 years.
What is the top problem area for the 2016 Silverado 3500?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 15 of 51 complaints (29%), with a median failure mileage of 33,422 miles.
Does the 2016 Silverado 3500 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Silverado 3500, covering airbags, fuel system, brakes, and seat belts, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
Were there any crashes or injuries reported?
NHTSA complaint data for the 2016 Silverado 3500 includes 3 crashes and 2 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.
Which Silverado 3500 years are better than 2016?
Model years 2014, 2017, and 2018 all earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 5, 0, and 10, far lower than 2016's index of 80.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.