Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph, the four-wheel drive service light illuminated on the instrument panel. As he proceeded driving down the highway, both the service stabilitrak and the no power steering, drive with caution messages appeared on the instrument panel. The contact started losing control of the steering wheel as the vehicle began to sway. The decreased engine power, drive with caution message was also displayed on the instrument panel as the contact cautiously drove the vehicle into a parking lot and restarted the vehicle without further incidence. The next day, the contact drove the vehicle to a dealer where an electrical reboot was performed and the vehicle was returned to the contact. After the vehicle was returned, the contact was driving 50 mph when the failure recurred. The contact continued driving to his destination. …
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle, after which the steering wheel jerked to center independently. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V586000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 61,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a sharp turn, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shut off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the ECM was losing power and that further testing was needed to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the power steering assist became inoperable. While driving at slow speeds, the power steering assist was intermittently inoperable. The power steering warning light was illuminated was intermittently inoperable. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 90,200.
The electrical system keeps throwing a code for short to ground as well as low voltage codes. The voltage gauge on the dash shows either over charging or under charging. The in dash radio and screen shut off and turns back on by itself while driving down the road. Occasionally while backing up or pulling forward the truck completely stalls. The transmission was subject to the shudder issue, we took it to King Cadillac in Lake City, SC for the transmission flush. After the flush we have not felt the shudder, but instead Occasionally when pulling off from a dead stop, or while crossing the very busy highway my house is on the truck looses momentum almost as if the transmission is failing to engage at all, and all of the sudden about 15 seconds later it engages and accelerates at a rapid rate. …
I have a 2016 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and experiencing a very scary problem that has suddenly developed with this vehicle. As I am parking or in a slow turn, the vehicle completely looses all power [engine, electronics, brakes, etc..] and the steering wheel jerks out of my hands and then a second or 2 later it comes back on and then repeated 2 more times as I was attempting to park. I had this happen while turning into a parking spot at the store. Then the next day it did it a again as I was turning into a different parking lot. I loose complete control of the vehicle. I have been lucky not to hit another vehicle, more specifically a person. I decided to park the vehicle at home and not drive it until I get GMC service to diagnose. I have an appointment at a dealership to diagnose the problem on 08-15-204 at "Chevrolet Buck GMC of Puyallup Inc.". …
While driving and making a turn at slower speeds, such as parking lots or intersections, the entire dash cluster including the radio screen will go black. The steering will completely lock up and jerk back to the opposite direction. At the same time the Park assist, stability control keeps flashing on and off. Sometimes the truck will shut off and then tell you to roll down the driver window and roll it back up. It is random and you never know when it is going to do it. The only fix I have found is to stop in the middle of the road and restart the truck. You can not drive off the road to do this because you cannot control the steering. I almost drove into oncoming traffic when it did this during a turn at an intersection. I have taken it to the dealership and they say then cannot duplicate it therefore don't know what the fix is. I have read multiple complaints on this on line. …
When making turns left and right at low speeds power to the truck shuts off, the steering wheel jerks left or right and warning lights and beeps are activated. The vehicle will continue through momentum, but as you try to turn the steering wheel, the wheel will jerk violently rendering the turn dangerous. This also happens when backing up and turning. The vehicle has to placed in park, ignition shut off and turned back on to continue through the turn and drive. This issue is sporadic and unpredictable. I've avoided near accidents on 5 occasions. The same symptoms occurred during the 2015 GMC Power Steering recall. I've contacted a dealership but was told it could not be fixed without my VIN number being included in the recall.
While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous - especially if it were to happen while driving. It's very upsetting that GM has not included the 2016 model year in the recall for this exact issue, even though many owners are clearly experiencing the same symptoms as the 2014 and 2015 trucks that were recalled. This needs to be addressed for safety and fairness.
While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous - especially if it were to happen while driving. It's very upsetting that GM has not included the 2016 model year in the recall for this exact issue, even though many owners are clearly experiencing the same symptoms as the 2014 and 2015 trucks that were recalled. This needs to be addressed for safety and fairness.
Steering complaints in other Sierra 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the steering of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 11% of the model year's 343 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, though it has 8 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 GMC Sierra 1500 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 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.