Most common 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Share of the 343 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 1500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 1500 years: 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019. Compare all years →
2016 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (8)
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain › Inflator
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Show 2 more recalls
Seat belts › Pretensioner
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Suspension › Front › Control arm
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500:
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet…
What 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 owners say
Brakes all 106 →
While parking in San Francisco after driving for about 100 miles, the brakes felt they had lost all power, the pedal was pressed down to the floor and caused the braking distance to increase drastically. There was a fence post to the left of my truck. So I was going to go forward a little then back up and straighten out to pull forward and finish parking. Going slow 3-5MPH I pressed the brake and the truck kept going forward, I felt a shake from the brake pedal and then no pressure, straight to the floor, then the brake pedal didn't return up. i kept pressing/pumping the brake pedal but still felt like there was no power at all. When you released the brake pedal the pedal would not return to the top like normal. …
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the instrument panel went blank with white smoke coming from the vehicle. While approaching a stop light, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard; the contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact poured water over the engine as the heat melted a switch that connected from one battery to the other. The contact managed to restart the vehicle and resumed normal driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The contact stated that the failure mileage was at or around 157,000. The cause of the failure was the second battery's positive cable became shorted out.
Transmission & drivetrain all 84 →
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission started shifting improperly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission fluid control sensor. The contact was informed that due to the transmission fluid sensor failure, the torque converter control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several different independent mechanics and the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact provided the DTC codes: P0711 and P0700. The contact researched and discovered a previous repair coverage with a similar failure description. The coverage program code was N192291660. …
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to drive (D), the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle also lunged forward while depressing the brake pedal with the transmission downshifting. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was reoccurring. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was recently illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Electrical system all 54 →
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that her husband remote started the vehicle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the defrosters automatically activated. The vehicle warmed up for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. The contact stated that while leaving the driveway, her husband stopped the vehicle to assist with moving a lawn mower. Upon returning to the vehicle and looking through the glass her husband observed that there was smoke coming from the rear glass. The contact stated that her husband unlocked the rear doors and released the folding rear seat and saw that the defroster unit was on fire and smoking. The contact stated that her husband turned the vehicle off and the flames were self-extinguished; however, approximately 45-seconds later the driver's side rear panel window shattered. …
while driving a hissing sound was heard from rear window, smoke appeared and rear window shattered. Dealer states that there was a short in the electrical system consistent with recall # N192220470 and that my vehicle does have RPO A48. My vehicle was not included in this recall due to geographical location of vehicle (Pennsylvania). This is a known potential fire risk and glass shattered into the vehicle. It should be noted that the outside temp was 60 degrees and my husband did NOT turn on defroster or open the rear window. After the smoke clear and window shattered he noticed that the defroster light was on and he shut it off manually. Had there been rear seat passengers they would have had glass on them and subjected to smoke and possible fire. God forbid a child in a rear facing child safety seat was back there, they would have been at serious risk of harm. …
2016 GMC Sierra 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl hybrid | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 a good car?
Based on 343 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Sierra 1500 rates avoid: 3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 1500 at the same age. It is one of the Sierra 1500 years we suggest avoiding. 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 GMC Sierra 1500?
The brakes — 106 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power assist › vacuum. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (84) and electrical system (54).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
There are 8 recalls for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, the most recent from September 24, 2026 (inflator). 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 GMC Sierra 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019. See the full GMC Sierra 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 47,000 miles; 56% 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.