2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner Complaints

For the past 2 years ive been having issues of losing power steering. Lots of parts and modules have been replaced out of pocket. Still not fixed. When it goes out it can be out for days to weeks and is extremely hard to steer. Its gone out or come back in during a turn which is very problematic and unsafe. I always get the same dash message, "service power steering drive with care". The dealership is aware and has seen the malfunctioning steering. So far the rack and pinion gear box has been replaced at $2700, then it was a terminal resistor that was replaced for $2,100, and several other trips in costing more money just to get the steering fixed but technicians have been unsuccessful so far despite their best efforts.

NHTSA ID

11756540

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

Approximately one week ago I was driving at a safe speed on a two-lane highway. Suddenly, my steering wheel and truck jerked to the right. For 8-10 seconds a warning message was displayed "Power Steering ... Drive Carefully." I took the truck to my local dealership. They scanned for trouble codes. The technician said something about an interruption communicating with the electrical system. My service advisor took the truck on a 15-mile drive and had no problem. They scanned again and there were no trouble codes. The service advisor said they could not fix the problem if they did not know the cause of the problem. I left the dealership. Since then, I have had 4 more incidents. Once the warning message appeared again, but no jerk of the steering wheel or truck; once there was the same warning message and a jerk of the steering wheel and truck; and twice there were sudden jerks of the steering wheel and truck but no warning message. I have reported each of these incidents to the dealership. I also called Chevrolet Customer Assistance. I explained the problem and asked if they would assign a Field Service Engineer to assist the dealership. hey declined my request. Because I momentarily lose control of steering the truck, I fear for my safety and the safety of others.

NHTSA ID

11752802

Incident

Jul 16, 2026

Vehicle suffered a failure cascade of the brake booster vacuum pump system. During a low-speed bumper collision on July 4 and a boat ramp slide, the pedal triggered abnormal ABS-like pulsing as the computer tried to hydraulically compensate for dropping vacuum pressure. This resulted in truck front bumper damage and boat trailer fender damage. On July 10, total failure occurred in a drive-thru, rendering the pedal rock-hard and sopping mear impossible. All marked parts and logs are available for inspection. Onboard diagnostic data reveals the electronic brake control module has driven continuously without a master clear for 22,665 miles, locking the last system initialization to 78,468 miles. This continuous data loop proves code C0299-00 was actively visible in the history log during the subsequent dealer service visits. Instead of performing the hardware pump remedy under Recall N192268490 (NHTSA 19V650). At the Jan 24 dealer visit (78,482 mi), dealer applied a software update and charged out-of-pocket fees to clear symptoms. They also ignored subsequent communication regarding the billing discrepancy. Technicians completely neglected the history logs despite explicit complaints regarding low-speed ABS sensations, trailer brake messages, park assist, and brake assist warnings. The 2026 dealers (and 2024) falsified multipoint inspections stating brakes required NO service until after winter. Jan '26 dealer delayed further diagnostics until June '26. May '26 dealer ignored texts regarding a crooked steering wheel and unstable tracking after alignment service. The truck was intentionally misdiagnosed as functional to avoid the warranty period repair. This unaddressed mechanical failure caused a destructive system cascade requiring replacement of the vacuum pump, oil-contaminated vacuum lines lines, oil-saturated booster, master cylinder, glazed pads, warped rotors, fluid flush, tires from module drag, alongside the resulting bumper and trailer property damage.

NHTSA ID

11750018

Incident

Jul 4, 2026

Doors automatically unlock while driving or parked and not running.

NHTSA ID

11742829

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

Rear power window defrost thermal event. While rear defrost was on the plastic connector that goes to the rear defrost of the power rear sliding window began to smoke heavily. In 2020 there was recall number N192265660 for the 1500 series of the same year for the same component that failed and is a fire risk. 2500 had no recall but this vehicle contains the same product and poses the same fire risk as the 1500.

NHTSA ID

11740948

Incident

May 29, 2026

Transmission started shifting hard, shuddering in torque converter, and long time shifting into 1st gear. Took it to a Transmission guy and he said it needs a full rebuild and is very common with this Transmission in this truck.

NHTSA ID

11739361

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Had steering centering go out. Data cable pinched or broken somewhere in system and transmission got out. Also 4x4 system went out.

NHTSA ID

11738003

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

Brake assist activates for no apparent reason

NHTSA ID

11736275

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

The AFM code p3400 was activated on the truck and the lifters went bad and caused damage to the cam shift. Lifter failure which caused fuel to shoot down exhaust and burned out the catalytic converters. Dealership wants 10k to fix not including the catalytic converters.

NHTSA ID

11735090

Incident

Apr 26, 2026

While driving truck loses power. We stop put in park & then have to restart the truck to start driving. It has happened 3 times & we know this is a problem for other trucks.

NHTSA ID

11733869

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the message “Service Stabilizer” was displayed and the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle lost its power steering function, and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,805.

NHTSA ID

11731871

Incident

Apr 7, 2026

Mileage

148,805 mi

Main body panel bubbling paint just under rear doors both side of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11730762

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

6L80 Automatic RWD Transmission and Torque Converter is dead. No warning lights or any indications that there was an issue. The RPM climbed and could not drive it in gear. Metal shavings found in fluid. 126,524 miles

NHTSA ID

11730574

Incident

Nov 28, 2025

On January 6, 2026., I was backing out of my son's driveway when I heard a loud pop, it sounded like a rock hitting the back window of my Silverado. I then discovered the driver's side of the back window shattered. Prior to backing out, I used the auto start to warm up my vehicle. I did some research and found there was a recall for this issue that was supposedly completed by Lithia Chevy of Helena on 6/29/2020. GM is refusing to replace the rear slider window stating there's no recall. I then reported the issue to GM Product Assistance claims it's do to wear/elements. See recall below. GM Program #N192265660 Status: Complete Description: Certain 2014-2019 model year Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a power sliding rear window (RPO A48) may have areas of high electrical resistance on the rear defroster circuit. This could be caused, in part, by mechanical stress from opening and closing the rear power window, intrusion of debris, and use of the rear defroster. Over time, this condition could generate heat that could melt the areas surrounding the circuit. In rare instances, this heat could cause a non-propagating fire, increasing the risk of property damage or injury. This is the second time Lithia Chevy has claimed they completed a recall. On July 28, 2023, my brakes failed during a 200-mile trip to my hometown. After several days of battling with Chevy and General Motors I paid a private mechanic $100 to verify the vacuum pump had failed on my Silverado, Chevy finally fixed the issue on August 8, 2023. There was 47,781 miles on it at the time. See Repair Description below showing they supposedly completed the recall, the same day as the back window recall (6/29/2020). Repair Description Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module with a new calibration that will improve how the system utilizes the hydraulic brake boost assist function when vacuum assist is depleted. Recall Completed: 2020-06-29

NHTSA ID

11730258

Incident

Jan 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal failed to function properly and felt spongy while attempting to depress the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously received a brake system software update under an unknown recall, which was completed by the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the brake system software update might be performed another time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,446.

NHTSA ID

11725838

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

Mileage

175,446 mi

I was a front seat passenger in a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and was properly wearing my seatbelt at the time of the incident. The vehicle struck a deer, and during the collision, the passenger seatbelt failed to properly restrain me. I was thrown forward and struck the windshield. The seatbelt did not appear to lock or tighten as expected during impact. It is unknown whether the seatbelt pretensioner or airbag system activated properly. This created a serious safety risk, as the seatbelt did not perform its intended function of restraining the occupant during a crash. The vehicle was declared a total loss following the incident and is no longer available for inspection. The incident was documented through insurance and/or police reports. There were no known warning lights or prior indications of a problem with the seatbelt system before the crash. This failure resulted in occupant injury risk due to lack of proper restraint during the collision.

NHTSA ID

11725607

Incident

Nov 11, 2025

The truck engine light came on and was not able to be driven very far without stalling. Took it for repair and 2 valve lifters were bad. We had to pay for replacement ourselves. This happened at 41,786 miles. This happened again at 46,000 miles because of faulty GM parts and they needed to be replaced again. The parts were under warranty so there was no charge. This happened again at 59,000 miles and now both side lifters are bad and mechanic suggested engine replacement since he is sure this will happen again. Now it’s costing us 15,300 to repair it and GM/Chevrolet is not helping or do they care! First incident was in April 2023, second in November 2023 and now in December 2025.

NHTSA ID

11725275

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

I was driving south on interstate 15 freeway I was on the 3 lane in the middle of the road I was driving around 65-70 mph when my 1500 Silverado 2016 loose engine power and started to slow down I couldn’t get out fast enough and I almost got hit by three cars because I was driving so slow I pulled over emergency lines and the truck didn’t even start

NHTSA ID

11724492

Incident

Nov 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11724207

Incident

Mar 13, 2026

Mileage

120,000 mi

Truck will shut off then on rapidly when turning left. Alert messages on sensors come on and off as lights flicker on and off. Radio screen will go black randomly or not turn on. AC shuts off and on randomly as well. Very dangerous while driving and you are about to turn left if truck shuts down. This happens at least once a week.

NHTSA ID

11724061

Incident

Mar 12, 2026

On road trip from mi to ny. No lights or warnings but transmission failed.we were able to get safely off highway into parking lot.Tried to have towed to chevy dealer but could not look at for days. Able to take to aamco & need to install new transmission in ohio!

NHTSA ID

11723888

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving General Motors’ Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. In October 2024, my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT, at 96,000 miles, experienced a lifter collapse which caused sufficient wear to the camshaft that the engine needed to be replaced, which was performed. The malfunction indicator lamp turned on and the truck was driven an additional 2 miles to a safe location and subsequently towed to the repair shop. Before then, there had been no indication that a lifter had collapsed or that there was damage to the engine sufficient to warrant a replacement. In November 2025, I experienced another lifter collapse (on the replaced engine). While the mechanic recommended an engine replacement, the warranty company only authorized a replacement of the affected side cylinder head and lifter, which was performed. In February 2026, I experienced another lifter collapse, and the truck is currently being evaluated by a repair shop. These failures have occurred without warning and aligns with thousands of consumer complaints regarding AFM-related oil consumption, lifter collapse, and engine damage in GM vehicles. This is a known design defect that GM has tried to address through Technical Service Bulletins and engine redesigns, yet many consumers continue to experience premature failures at low mileage. This defect presents a safety and reliability concern, including loss of power while driving and significant financial burden to vehicle owners. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this ongoing defect.

NHTSA ID

11721341

Incident

Oct 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado1500. The contact stated that while driving at 48 MPH and driving uphill, the transmission downshifted and started sputtering. The contact pulled into a parking lot and attempted to troubleshoot the failure, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a torque converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.

NHTSA ID

11719404

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

Mileage

103,000 mi

Entire Transmission failed and needs to be replaced.

NHTSA ID

11718931

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission valve body had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ID

11717033

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Mileage

69,000 mi