2016 Chevrolet Express Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the Express at the same age

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Express with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Express at the same age. The most reported problem area is the body & structure (3 complaints, typically around 2,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year.

15complaints
6recalls
0crashes
2fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2016 Chevrolet Express problems

  • Body & structure~2,000 miles
    320%
  • Electrical system~36,000 miles
    320%
  • Engine & cooling~88,000 miles
    320%
  • Brakes
    320%
  • Other / not specified~40,000 miles
    213%
  • Seat belts~0 miles
    17%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~1,000 miles
    17%
  • Suspension
    17%
  • Wheels & tires
    17%
  • Driver assistance
    17%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~88,000 miles
    17%

Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Express complaints by model year

’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’25’2615292368844556592123121814101512132214815211181713
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Express. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Express years: 2025, 2012, 2015. Years to avoid: 2013, 2020, 2000, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →

2016 Chevrolet Express recalls (6)

Visibility › Glass, side/rear

NHTSA recall 19V-387 · May 23, 2019 · 1,159 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tempered glass windows with laminated glass windows, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 18V-655 · Sep 21, 2018 · 30,448 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a single, manual, rear climate control module (CCM). If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the electrical insulation from a wiring connector within the CCM to remove the fire risk, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018.

Visibility › Power window devices and controls

NHTSA recall 18V-295 · May 3, 2018 · 207,483 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with power windows. Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side window switch, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2018.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 18V-267 · Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018.

Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices

NHTSA recall 16V-700 · Sep 29, 2016 · 40 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Express manufactured September 25, 2015, to August 22, 2016, and 2016 GMC Savana cargo and cutaway vans manufactured January 28, 2016, to May 18, 2016.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will instal a right-hand flat rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016.

Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

NHTSA recall 16V-184 · Apr 1, 2016 · 321 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana incomplete vehicles equipped with a 159 inch wheel base manufactured August 2, 2013, to January 30, 2016. The affected vehicles were shipped to final stage manufacturers without a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install the hardware and software necessary to equip the vehicles with a TPMS, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2016.

What 2016 Chevrolet Express owners say

Body & structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that water was leaking from the driver's side visor connection. Water also leaked onto the contact and the floor. The instrument panel was also leaking. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to sawyer Chevrolet (351 w bridge st, catskill, ny 12414, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that a new wi-fi antenna gasket needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired, but failed again days later. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Body · 36,000 miles · Aug 2017

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked on an incline and the sliding door was opened, there was no locking mechanism to prohibit the sliding door from closing independently. The contact stated that on several occasions the door closed independently while an employee was making deliveries with the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed by the general motors fleet coordinator that the vehicle was operating as intended. The approximate failure mileage was 300.

Body · 0 miles · Jun 2016

Electrical system

Problem: power window wouldn't work, rear defroster would not work, vehicle would not start, vehicle would crank but not start. Car had to be towed. The relays were defective and were replaced. Upon taking the relays apart , I found that they were rusted inside and the rust was flaking off. I contacted Chevrolet and I was told the vehicle was out of warranty and it would not cover rusted parts.the representative also said that he had other complaints about the relays failing.there are ten of these relays in this vehicle and four have failed due to rust. There is no way to test the remaining units for rust until they fail. This is a real electrical safety issue.

21,000 miles · Jan 2020

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated that water was leaking from the driver's side visor connection. Water also leaked onto the contact and the floor. The instrument panel was also leaking. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to sawyer Chevrolet (351 w bridge st, catskill, ny 12414, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that a new wi-fi antenna gasket needed to be installed. The vehicle was repaired, but failed again days later. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 36,000.

36,000 miles · Aug 2017

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the "Service Engine" warning light flashed on and off. The contact stated that after arriving to the residence and shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Progressive Snapshot device had caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired, and the Snapshot device was removed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

88,000 miles · Dec 2024

LT245/75R16 The fist tire failure was rear driver's side which caused a code service stable trac- this caused the vehicle to lose power and engine to die. I made home at 20mph in yraffic.I spent $500 for diagnostic check and new tire. The tire is misshapen and alerts sensor that caused engine to lose power and ultimately die. With new tire the problem was solved. But then the rear passenger tire while on the freeway acted up and caused the van to shake and rattle violently. Drove home at lower speed . I replace that tire with the spare which is a different brand and the van ran fine. Checked the bad tire and it is higher on one side than the other. Checked front tires and there are flat spots and irregularities on both tires

Jul 2023

2016 Chevrolet Express engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cylCVTFWD24 / 26 / 25
6.0L 8-cyl6-speed automaticRWD11 / 16 / 13

EPA ratings. Class: Van.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Express a good car?

Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Express rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Express at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Express?

The body & structure — 3 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the electrical system (3) and engine & cooling (3).

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Express have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Express, the most recent from May 23, 2019 (glass, side/rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Express?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2020, 2000, 1999 and 2002. See the full Chevrolet Express years comparison.

At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Express problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 21,000 miles; 89% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.