YearToAvoid

2016 Chevrolet SS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#2 most-complained of 4 SS years

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

The 2016 Chevrolet SS has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 2nd-worst out of 4 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering complaints dominate at 50% of reports, backed by 7 recalls including three separate steering gear recall actions.

Complaints
24
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
16.5
14 city / 21 hwy

Top 2016 Chevy SS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering12 (50%)
  2. Seat Belts6 (25%)
  3. Electrical System4 (17%)
  4. Lane Departure2 (8%)
  5. Other2 (8%)
  6. Engine1 (4%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (4%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Electric power steering intermittently fails or cuts out while driving, sometimes returning after the car is shut off and restarted.
  • Steering assist loss has occurred at low mileage as well as around 49,000 miles, matching a defect later covered by recall 17V-382.
  • Seat belt tensioner cable recall repairs were delayed for weeks, leaving some new vehicles stuck on dealer lots unable to be driven home.
  • Rear-view camera and radio display can go black while reversing, requiring radio replacement.
  • Blind spot sensor became intermittent starting around 36,500 miles and eventually stopped working entirely.
2016 Chevrolet SS complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2016May 2017Jul 2018Oct 2019Sep 2020Jul 2022
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2016 to Aug 2024; peak Oct 2019 (4).

2016 Chevrolet SS recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V638000Oct 15, 2020Seat Belts1,788 vehicles

    Seat belts:front

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS and Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 16V-518. The repair may not have been performed properly. The driver's seat belt tensioner cable 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: If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine whether the new seat trim was installed and replace the trim as necessary. Dealers will also inspect and replace the pretensioner cable assembly, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202312100

  2. NHTSA 20V254000May 7, 2020Steering2,281 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit vehicles (PPV) and SS vehicles. Corrosion of the connector between the electric power steering module and the torque sensor connector may cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

    Risk: A greater steering effort would be needed to control the vehicle if power steering is lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N192285350.

  3. NHTSA 19V801000Nov 7, 2019Steering476 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS vehicles that previously received an inspect-only remedy under recall 17V-382. Corrosion of the connector between the electric power steering module and the torque sensor connector may cause a loss of electric power steering assist.

    Risk: A greater steering effort would be needed to control the vehicle if power steering is lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192265980.

See all 7 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet SS →

2016 Chevrolet SS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
16.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,400
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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 SS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid10051917
2015Good3317717
2016Caution6724716.5
2017Best010216.5

All Chevrolet SS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet SS reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2016 SS a Complaint Index of 67 with a Caution verdict, ranking 2nd-worst among the 4 SS model years covered. Steering problems account for half of all complaints.
What is the main problem with the 2016 Chevrolet SS?
Steering is the top problem area, with 12 complaints (50% share) reporting loss of electric power steering assist, at a median mileage of 49,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet SS have a steering recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists three separate steering recalls (17V382000, 19V801000, 20V254000) covering corrosion of the electric power steering module connector that can cause loss of steering assist.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet SS have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet SS, covering steering, seat belts, and airbags, with none classified as do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2016 SS compare to other SS model years?
The 2016 SS (Complaint Index 67, Caution) ranks worse than the 2015 (33, Good) and 2017 (0, Best) model years, but better than the 2014 SS (100, Avoid).

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.