2016 GMC Sierra 3500 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 12th out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict. It has 19 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries or deaths.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 Sierra 3500 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 19
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes6 (32%)
- Steering6 (32%)
- Engine5 (26%)
- Fuel System3 (16%)
- Electrical System2 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (11%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report excessive play in the steering wheel, sometimes 2 to 3 inches, causing wandering at highway speed.
- Front wheels shake or shimmy uncontrollably after hitting bumps, linked in some cases to a diagnosed failed steering box.
- Brake pedal travel increases over time, needing to be pushed nearly to the floor to stop, which dealers sometimes called normal.
- Some owners report brakes and steering both failing briefly after the serpentine belt detached while towing.
- One owner reported a Bosch CP4 fuel pump failing internally on the highway, causing complete loss of power.
- An electrical fault in the rear window defroster produced smoke, a loud pop, and a shattered rear window in one case.
2016 GMC Sierra 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 Sierra 3500 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 19 complaints and a complaint index of 45, giving it a Good verdict, ranking 12th out of 21 model years for this truck.
- What are the most common problems on the 2016 Sierra 3500?
- Brakes and steering are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 16,000 and 18,200 miles respectively.
- Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering airbags, fuel system, brakes, and seat belts, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- Should I avoid the 2016 Sierra 3500 compared to other years?
- No. Its complaint index of 45 is lower than years like 2015 (75), 2020 (95), and 2024 (100), which are rated Avoid, making 2016 a comparatively safer choice.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2016 Sierra 3500?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 27,500 miles, though engine problems tend to appear later, around 102,500 miles.