The Used Car Index

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

NHTSA lists 342 complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 11 of them mention a crash and 13 mention a fire. 7 complaints mention an injury, with 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as GMC SIERRA 1500.

At a glance

Complaints
342
With crash
11
With fire
13
With injury (complaints)
7
Injuries
12
Deaths
0
Recalls
8
Do not drive recalls
1
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
3,640,162
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
1,215

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
SERVICE BRAKES10029.2%
POWER TRAIN8324.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5415.8%
ENGINE3811.1%
STEERING3811.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3510.2%
SUSPENSION154.4%
AIR BAGS123.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM92.6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER82.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY6
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM3
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICPOWER ASSIST2
AIR BAGSSIDE/WINDOW1
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
loss of control13539.5%0.85
mechanical failure8524.9%0.78
electrical electronic349.9%0.78
noise or comfort329.4%0.81
fire or overheating216.1%0.80
restraint or airbag154.4%0.89
fluid or fuel leak82.3%0.95
structural or corrosion61.8%0.80
visibility or lighting51.5%0.99
unclear10.3%1.00
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate23167.5%0.85
low7421.6%0.70
high339.6%0.72
critical20.6%0.79
none20.6%0.92

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 342 tagged complaints of 342 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

8 recalls.

26V611000

Date: 2026-09-24. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262569920. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 24, 2026.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V504000

Date: 2021-07-01. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 ma (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V736000

Date: 2020-11-25. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: If the end cap separates from the inflator, the compressed gas will escape and the end cap can be propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. (excerpt)

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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled un (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V761000

Date: 2019-10-24. Systems: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (E (excerpt)

Consequence: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. GM's number for this recall is N192261050. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V645000

Date: 2019-09-06. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V437000

Date: 2017-07-10. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 250 (excerpt)

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. (excerpt)

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. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC custom (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V651000

Date: 2016-09-08. Systems: AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS.

Defect: 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 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV (excerpt)

Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. (excerpt)

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. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC cust (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V256000

Date: 2016-04-28. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

PE18012

Opened: 2018-11-20. Closed: 2022-04-10.

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 S

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: 19V645000.

Manufacturer communications

1,215 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT318
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM266
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING188
POWER TRAIN159
ENGINE127
UNKNOWN OR OTHER88
STRUCTURE72
SUSPENSION43

11037555

Date: 2026-09-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.

11037550

Date: 2026-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering

11037253

Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11035308

Date: 2026-07-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

11035340

Date: 2026-07-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

11032777

Date: 2026-05-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

11030974

Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

11030091

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

11030092

Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

11028700

Date: 2026-02-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights causing IPC warning messages and MIL along with several low speed lan DTCs.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SIERRA 1500342

Same model, other years

All model years | All GMC models

Other GMC models, 2016

Sources

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