YearToAvoid

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 44 steering complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 12% of that year's 377 total complaints, with 5 injuries reported and no crashes or fires. There are no related recalls listed, and median mileage at failure was 51,950 miles.

Steering complaints
44
12% of 377
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
51,950 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Power steering intermittently cuts out for a few seconds and then returns, often preceded by a "service power steering" warning message.
  • Some owners report the power steering fails completely and locks up while driving, requiring the vehicle to be towed.
  • Steering wheel or cabin vibration and shudder appears at highway speeds above 40 mph, worsening as speed increases.
  • Owners describe excessive steering play or wander, making the truck feel unstable or hard to keep straight at highway speed.
  • A clicking noise during steering wheel turns was traced by one dealer to a failed steering rack.
  • Warning lights for stabilitrak and power steering appear together with dropped gauges and the transmission slipping out of gear.

When 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 steering complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 21, 2016, latest Jul 30, 2025.

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2016Jan 2019Jan 2020Aug 2020May 2021Feb 2023Jun 2024May 2025
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2016 to Jul 2025; peak Aug 2016 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Sierra 1500 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20103 (1%)
  2. 201111 (3%)
  3. 201210 (7%)
  4. 20135 (3%)
  5. 2014162 (19%)
  6. 201588 (11%)
  7. 201644 (12%)
  8. 201728 (7%)
  9. 201833 (10%)
  10. 201949 (7%)
  11. 202037 (8%)
  12. 202133 (6%)
  13. 202213 (2%)
  14. 202312 (3%)
  15. 20247 (2%)
  16. 20253 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA lists 44 steering complaints for the 2016 Sierra 1500, which is 12% of the 377 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for steering problems on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for steering on the 2016 Sierra 1500.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2016 Sierra 1500?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints is 51,950 miles.
Did steering problems cause crashes or injuries on the 2016 Sierra 1500?
NHTSA data shows 5 injuries and 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to steering complaints for this model year.
Is the 2016 Sierra 1500 worse for steering complaints than other years?
The 2016 model's 44 steering complaints (12% share) are lower than the 2014 model's 162 complaints (19% share) and the 2015 model's 88 complaints (11% share), but higher in share than several later years like 2022 and 2024.

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.