2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 Sierra 1500 years
The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 40 and a 'Good' verdict relative to other Sierra 1500 years. NHTSA lists 377 complaints, 9 recalls, and Brakes as the top problem area at 31% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 377
- Recalls
- 9
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 15 / 14
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes118 (31%)
- Transmission & Powertrain92 (24%)
- Electrical System63 (17%)
- Engine47 (12%)
- Steering44 (12%)
- Other39 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (6%)
- Structure & Body16 (4%)
- Airbags14 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers14 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal failing to respond fully, in one case causing a low-speed reverse crash into a tree.
- Some owners describe brakes not working at all on two separate occasions in the same truck, leading to a collision.
- Multiple owners report the driver's side front air bag deploying without a crash while driving around 25 mph.
- Owners report smoke and sparks coming from the rear defrost/window area, in one case leading to a fire near the rear windshield.
- Electrical failures include the charging system warning, battery gauge dropping to zero, and the vehicle stalling at highway speed.
- One owner reports the rear sliding window glass exploding while using the defroster in cold weather.
2016 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
9 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 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.
- NHTSA 19V761000Oct 24, 2019Brakes652,967 vehicles
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
2016 compared with other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Sierra 1500 has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 10th worst of 16 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
- NHTSA data shows Brakes account for 31% of complaints (118), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 24% (92) and Electrical System at 17% (63).
- Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2016 Sierra 1500, including one do-not-drive recall covering the front upper control arms, plus recalls for roof-rail airbag inflators, brake control module software, and seat belt sensing module software.
- How does the 2016 Sierra 1500 compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 40, the 2016 model is better than 2014 (80), 2019 (67), and 2021 (73), but worse than years like 2012 (0), 2013 (7), and 2018 (20).
- At what mileage do 2016 Sierra 1500 problems typically occur?
- Across all reported problem areas, the median mileage at failure for the 2016 Sierra 1500 is 47,000 miles, with brake complaints centered around 45,000 miles.