Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle safely home. The vehicle had not been repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. The VIN was not available.
Chevy Duramax trucks, 2011-2016 use a CP4 fuel pump that will eventually fail. The engine shuts off and there is a loss of steering and brakes. This is a major safety issue. I called Chevy GM 1800 222 1020 and was told, " we are aware of the problem, have no remedy, no recall has been issued yet, call back in a month". My daughter has a 2015 that failed when she was hauling expensive horses, the dealer put the same type defective pump back in the truck. Every diesel repair shop, dealer, and GM is aware of this defect. There is a class action law suit C/O JND Seattle WA. [phone] that may reimburse owners that have had a failure, assuming they are still alive. GM needs to recall, and replace these CP4 pumps with a CP3 or whatever they did to correct the issue in 2017 and later engines, prior to failure. Let ne know if I can provide any more information or assistance.
Steering wheel has become very sloppy and there is a large "gap" when turning left or right. Truck wanders left/right and hard to keep straight. It used to be very precise. Now a moderate dip will cause a left/right shudder in the steering wheel and no control of steering until it settles out. Had it aligned and dealer said all components were good. Out of warranty, dealer said the tab on problem would help for a period of time at $800, or a new steering box would be a longer but not permanent fix, at $2000 or so. Stated very common with this truck along with needing frequent realignments, all related to new electric steering system.
Loose steering causes difficulty maintaining lane and constant steering input to attempt to go straight. Steering wheel can be off the the left or right while going straight. Safety to passengers and other drivers on the road at risk due to inability to maintain intended course of travel. Two different Chevrolet dealers have had vehicle in for service, both completing an alignment and stating issue was corrected. Nut on steering box was also tightened per previous TSB. Issue persists. No warning lamps nor messages.
- Electronic power steering assist malfunctioning. Available for inspection - Vehicle jerks steering to the left or right at highway speeds, causing near miss accidents. - Dealer performed alignment and did not know how to fix. They were able to replicate the issue. - No other inspection - "Service Power Steering Drive With Care" message intermittently displays and almost immediately goes away. No check engine light or other warning lights.
Upon driving on a long distance trip the steering wheel became excessively loose and developed significant play. The wheel had to stay at approximately a 20 degree angle to maintain the vehicle in a straight path. When we arrived in the first town the local dealer performed a repair but was vague in the details.
Over a week of time the steering when driving straight became unstable. when driving straight the vehicle will wander within lane or leave lane and you have to input 6" to 12" of wheel steering back and forth to stay on intended path.
Steering is loose/has play. Vehicle shakes with driving. Steering gear box is leaking. Issue puts myself and others at risk due to the sudden pulling to either side while driving. Vehicle will be inspected in the next week.
Steering gear box. Truck only has 18k as it is our recreation vehicle. Steering has extreme play as much as 3". I've read where this is and issue with Chevy Silverado 2500 2016. Truck is becoming dangerous to drive.
I was driving south on us hwy 43 at 63 MPH and my power steering went out resulting in my truck leaving the road and crashing into the trees on the northbound right of way I know that the previous year trucks have a recall on the electronic steering system but there are no recalls on my truck as of yet on the power assisted steering I was lucky please help keep anyone else from getting hurt from this faulty system
Steering complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 37% of the model year's 123 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.