2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems
What owners have reported about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.
From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a good year?
It's one of the worst years for the Silverado 1500. Owners have filed 797 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 19 Silverado 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the brakes, transmission and electrical system.
797 complaints 12 recalls, 1 do not drive 6th worst of 19 Silverado 1500 years
Top 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems
Brake problems
266 complaints (33%) name the brakes, most often the vacuum.
Transmission problems
194 complaints (24%) name the transmission, most often the transfer case (4-WHEEL DRIVE) and torque converter.
Electrical problems
119 complaints (15%) name the electrical system, most often the software and speedometer / odometer.
Steering problems
110 complaints (14%) name the steering, most often the rack and pinion and steering control module.
Which parts fail most
Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.
Mileage when it failed
Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (464 of 797). The amber line is the middle value, about 48,000 miles.
When problems were reported
Complaints by the year the problem happened.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls
Inflator
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. 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge.
Recall 26V611000 · Sep 2026Inflator
The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available.
Recall 21V504000 · Jul 2021Front
The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate. A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge.
Recall 21V245000 · Apr 2021Inflator
The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator. 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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall.
Recall 20V736000 · Nov 2020Wheel speed sensor / tone ring
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 (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system. 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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge.
Recall 19V761000 · Oct 2019Vacuum
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time. 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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge.
Recall 19V645000 · Sep 2019Pedals and linkages
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative. If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
Recall 18V578000 · Aug 2018Front
The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate. If the pretensioner cable becomes fatigued or breaks, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pretensioner cable and seat side-shield, free of charge.
Recall 18V291000 · May 2018Pretensioner, Sensor / control module-inactive
While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 17V437000 · Jul 2017Frontal, Pretensioner
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 16V651000 · Sep 2016Control arm
Do not driveThe front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing. Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Recall 16V256000 · Apr 2016Pedals and linkages
On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative. If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge.
Recall 16V069000 · Feb 2016Get an email when your 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gets a new recall
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Silverado 1500 years to avoid
Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems by system
Common questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a reliable year?
It's one of the worst years for the Silverado 1500. Owners have filed 797 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 19 Silverado 1500 model years. The most reported problems involve the brakes, transmission and electrical system.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
Owners most often report problems with the brakes, transmission, electrical system and steering. 266 complaints (33%) name the brakes, most often the vacuum.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes problems start?
Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 40,000–69,000 miles, with a middle value near 50,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
12. Inflator (26V611000); Inflator (21V504000); Front (21V245000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.
Should I buy a used 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Ask for service records covering the brakes, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2026 and 2012 models, which have the fewest complaints.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.