RoadVitals

2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
50
Latest Feb 20, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Sep 20, 2016

What this page shows

Our database holds 50 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 50 · page 1 of 2

Filed Feb 20, 2026

As I was driving I heard a loud slam under my hood and when I checked the clutch for my AC compressor was gone. The AC no longer works and I have no idea where the parts went. When I looked this up it appears to be a common issue.

NHTSA ID
11719506
Incident
Jul 8, 2025
Airbags
Filed Feb 20, 2026
Crash reported

I have now been in 2 serious accidents that resulted in all other vehicles deploying airbags and being totalled, but mine have never deployed and it has been suggested there may be a recall for this

NHTSA ID
11719502
Incident
Jan 26, 2026
Steering
Filed Jun 28, 2025

Power steering intermittently goes out. Mostly when it's hot out, slow speeds, and cornering.

NHTSA ID
11669885
Incident
Jun 25, 2025
Brakes
Filed Mar 17, 2025

While connected to a RV which has onboard batteries, the truck's brake controller disables the braking system if the batteries on the RV fluctuate in voltage. The truck will give an alert advising "Trailer Brakes Disabled." This has occurred multiple times while pulling my RV which weighs 16,000 pounds, making it unsafe and hard to stop using only the truck's brakes. It happened while traveling through Atlanta, GA and once in Nashville, TN. Chevrolet has at least one TSB on this for similar 2022-2024 2500 and 3500 trucks. This has been a widely reported problem on several RV forums. The truck brake controller will work again if the engine is shut off and turned back on or the trailer is unplugged and re-plugged in the truck. This problem occurred approximately 10 times on my trip from Missouri to Florida in January and about the same number of times when returning to Missouri at the end of February.

NHTSA ID
11648847
Incident
Jan 18, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Jan 7, 2025

On [XXX] while traveling down [XXX] in VA I experienced a catastrophic Bosch CP4 Fuel Pump Failure. Vehicle was towed to Marion Auto Group in Marion, VA and kept for 5 weeks to repair fuel system. We paid $6,500 once we were told the repairs were complete and picked the vehicle up. Within 50 miles of driving, the fuel system error lights/codes began again and the service engine light came on. We called Marion Auto Group, they told us it was warranted for 24 months for parts and labor. We could take it to any Chevy dealer and have it looked at. We made an appt with our local Chevy dealer, Joe Bowman Chevrolet in Harrisonburg, VA. They kept the vehicle for approximately 5-6 weeks. Told us daily about the faulty repairs that Marion Auto Group had made, corrected the faulty repairs, with pictures, videos and even a coffee cup full of bad bolts and weld pieces that they replaced. Marion Auto Group agreed to pay Joe Bowman Chevrolet $5,500 in reimbursement for the work they performed to correct Marion Auto Groups work. When I got in the truck to bring it home and started it, the service engine light came on. They pulled it back in the shop, ran a diagnostic and said we needed some type of sensor ($900) so we scheduled an appt to have that done. Then we took the truck to Tennessee, fuel system failure lights and codes immediately came on. When I stopped to eat, it wouldn't start back. Took the truck to Tarr Chevrolet in Jefferson City TN, they diagnosed it as needing a new fuel line (from prev faulty fuel system) changed it ($1,700) and we headed back home with all the fuel system warning lights flashing again. Took it back to Joe Bowman Chevrolet in Harrisonburg where it's been sitting for over 7 weeks while GM decides if they should cover the entire new fuel system that it needs again ($19,000) because it's never been properly repaired since the initial catastrophic failure. Almost 7 months and $14,,600 in previous repairs.......Please HELP US! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ID
11634518
Incident
Jun 9, 2024
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2024

I was driving the truck and the dashboard said fuel filter at 0 % entering low power mode. The truck did not accelerate at all and stopped running within 5 minutes . The repair cost almost 9000.00 for a 100.00 fuel filter.

NHTSA ID
11624063
Incident
Oct 25, 2024
Steering
Filed May 11, 2024

The steering is very loose. There are multiple complaints about this. I owned a 2017 GMC 2500 before this and had the same issue. I have not brought this into a shop because I’m not looking forward to the diagnosis & cost. This has been an ongoing issue for years. GM needs to recall something in the steering box. Source: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11588215
Incident
May 11, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 11, 2023

Probable High Pressure Fuel Pump (CP4) failure resulting in the vehicle stalling without warning. This event has not yet occurred, however due to the high number of vehicles involved in the Stellantis recall which are using the same CP4 pumps which are known to fail, I am scared to drive my truck as the CP4 pump may fail at any time. I have spoken to MANY other GM truck owners who have experienced this failure and it has cost them tens of thousands of dollars. Please open a recall for the CP4 High Pressure Fuel Pump for 2011-2016 GM trucks using this HPFP. Thank you,

NHTSA ID
11549346
Incident
Oct 11, 2023
Steering
Filed Jul 25, 2023

On June 27 2023 we we driving on a two lane highway pulling our travel trailer. We had driven 5 hrs the previous day parked unhooked and drove around the area with no issues. The following morning we left an were just entering the highway speed zone when the truck abruptly crossed the centreline. I managed to correct and stop n the shoulder and noticed 6-8” of play in the steering wheel. I dropped the trailer and slowly drove back to the town to try and see what the issue was. The vehicle continued to move left and right with no input from me. It was determined that the steering box was leaking and when steering was input a thumping could be felt in the tires but not in the steering wheel. The shop determined the box sector shaft adjustment shaft was nearly backed out completely. I contacted the dealership that services my truck about what should be done and they stated “replace the steering box” which we did. Had there been on coming traffic this would have been a fatal or serious collision and it is doubtful this defect would have surfaced as a causal factor.

NHTSA ID
11534373
Incident
Jun 27, 2023
Steering
Filed May 23, 2023

There is excessive play in the steering causing the vehicle to wander. Problem is amplified at freeway speeds or while towing 5th-wheel. On some roads truck will pull one direction till change in road slop cause truck to swerve in opposite direction. Like many others have stated this is a dangerous situation. Problem has not been confirmed by service center on this truck, but manufacturer has issued TSB PIT5501E. There are no warnings messages.

NHTSA ID
11523579
Incident
Mar 26, 2023
BrakesEngine
Filed May 13, 2023

Rear passenger side, brakes, locking up keeping the truck from rolling. Replaced the brake fluid line and also both calipers. The brakes are still locking up.

NHTSA ID
11521829
Incident
Mar 4, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 2023

Plugs for brake/running/turn signal lights have moisture and road salt inside and corrode causing brake/running/turn signal light to not operate. I have cleaned the corrosion out multiple times, now the contacts inside the plug have corroded away with the only resolution being to replace the wire harness. Parts are available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others is at risk due to failure of lights to operate. I have not contacted a dealer or service center. I have diagnosed the problem myself and will repair myself when i receive the new wire harness. I have several other individuals who have experienced the same failure as described.

NHTSA ID
11506850
Incident
Feb 11, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jan 31, 2022

Friday October 8th 2021, my truck shut off in the middle of Chesnee SC within 1/4 mile after filling up with diesel fuel at the Hot Spot in Chesnee. I had it towed to Burns Chevrolet in Gaffney SC for analysis. They determine it was the result of contamination in the fuel and that is not a warranty issue. I would agree that is not the responsibility of Chevrolet and I authorized them to make the repairs. They did what you would normally expect with the exception of one thing. They came back and said they had to replace the fuel transfer line between the fuel tanks. Said it was kinked. I questioned how water in the fuel could cause that to happen but they said the contamination was the root cause and I had to pay to fix that as well. I requested a sample of the contamination and all parts replaced. That charge was included on the invoice and I paid it. There are other issues with the quality of the service which included returning the next day because the water contamination light came on again. They had to bleed the newly installed fuel filter there in the parking lot and the light went off. When I got home and inspected the replaced parts, I found that the fuel transfer line not only was kinked, but also ruptured. I just retired from an OEM as a quality specialist, and many of my parts were safety critical. I would be willing to bet that the Tier 1 supplier does not have a ruptured fuel line ranked very high on their FEMA plan due to the probability of water causing a kink little on a rupture, but according to the Chevrolet technician that was the root cause, so they own it. I called Chevrolet corporate and informed them of my plan to report this incident. They opened an incident report, but failed to take any action to address my concerns. You will find when you check the dealers repairs to this vehicle, it has had several issues related to fuel problems. Due to space limitations on this page, I cannot tell you the whole story. Contact me and I can explain furthe

NHTSA ID
11449552
Incident
Oct 8, 2021
AirbagsElectricalSeat belts
Filed Dec 13, 2021
Crash reported

During snow removal the night of December 10, 2021 into the morning of December 11, 2021, vehicle was in reverse traveling approximately 10-20 mph (actual speed at impact is unknown). Upon impact with a tree in the rear of the truck, the airbag system in the vehicle was engaged. The seatbelts locked up, and the airbag chemicals in the steering wheel and front passenger airbag compartment were activated, however, none of the airbags physically deployed. Attached phots will show the source of impact. The frame is likely twisted. Additional photos attached show that the seat belts locked up and that the airbag system was engaged without deployment of bags. Currently working with Mankato Motors Co, 1815 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN 56001, with a phone number of 507-625-5641. Vehicle has not been inspected yet to provide full report of findings and damage assessment. Vehicle was drivable to move from incident location to my residents and current location of the vehicle is 638 Clay Ct., Mankato, MN 56001. Vehicle has been washed to show all damage and provide for ease of investigation and inspection.

NHTSA ID
11443651
Incident
Dec 10, 2021
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 11, 2021

Driving my truck, without a trailer, the "Service Trailer Brakes Soon" fault came on my truck. This is a known problem that GM is aware of with their ITBC system for YEARS & have done selective recalls for. This a hazard to the motoring public. There is no warning when this fault happens while pulling a trailer & when it does pop up, you lose all trailer brakes. I had the same problem with my 2010 Silverado, after numerous visits to the dealership & thousands of dollars & filed complaints with GM & NHTSA, nothing was done. When taken to the dealership, if the fault isn't on the screen, they claim they can't find or fix the problem. I pull a 10,000 pound 5th wheel, I need trailer brakes when I apply them.

NHTSA ID
11436323
Incident
Oct 11, 2021
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 8, 2021

SERPENTINE BELT BROKE . I HAVE IT AVAILABLE. RECOMMENDED SERVICE IS 150K MILES OR 10 YEARS . IT BROKE AT 55K AND 5 YEARS. LOST BRAKE AND STEERING ASSIST. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP OR TURN VEHICLE. IT IS A DIESEL AND USES HYDRAULIC ASSIST. DEALER REPLACED BELT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. NO WARNING.

NHTSA ID
11423931
Incident
Jul 2, 2021
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

BRAKES ARE NOT EFFICIENT. THEY NEED ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO STOP. OR BRAKE PEDALS MUST BE APPLIED(PUMPED) SEVERAL TIMES TO STOP BETTER WITH LESS PRESSURE.

NHTSA ID
11388168
Incident
Jul 24, 2017
Mileage
16,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 2020

DRIVERS DOOR LATCH SCREWS HAVE LOOSENED- 1 OF 3 SCREWS MISSING. IF THE OTHER 2 BREAK OR FALL OUT, THE DRIVERS DOOR COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 52,000MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID
11300632
Incident
Jan 20, 2020
Mileage
52,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 11, 2019

I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK IN OCTOBER 2019. WHILE OUT ON THE TEST DRIVE, I NOTICED 2 TO 3 INCHES OF FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I ASKED THEM TO LOOK INTO IT AND THEY FOUND A BOLT IN THE STEERING BOX HAD BACKED OUT ABOUT A HALF INCH ON IT'S OWN. THEY FOUND A TSB FROM GM SAYING TO USE LOCTITE ON THE BOLT. THEY FIXED IT AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN GOOD FOR TWO MONTHS. I AM NOW STARTING TO FEEL FREE PLAY AGAIN AND THE STEERING ITSELF FEELS VERY LOOSE/ NO STIFFNESS AT ALL WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. I'VE SEEN MANY OWNERS IN MANY DIFFERENT FORUMS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND I FEAR FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY WHEN TOWING OUR HEAVY CAMPER NEXT YEAR ON VACATION. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID
11288545
Incident
Oct 28, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalVisibility
Filed Nov 22, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE ACCOMPANIED BY A STRONG BURNING ODOR. AT THE SAME TIME THE HVAC BLOWER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, BURNED WIRES AND MELTED HARNESS CONNECTORS WHERE FOUND AT THE HVAC BLOWER THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATED DUE TO A SHORT CAUSED BY REPEATED WATER INTRUSION FROM DEFECTIVE AND MISSING BODY SEAMS ALONG THE ROOF, COWL, AND NUMEROUS OTHER LOCATIONS. SAFETY BELT WARNING CHIMES REPEATEDLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MANY OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL OR OPERATE ERRATICALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS. VEHICLE FLOOR FILLS WITH WATER FREQUENTLY. MOLD HAS STARTED GROWING UNDER CARPET. REPEATED ISSUES FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, ISSUES CONTINUE TO BE UNRESOLVED, DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ALL LEAK SOURCES TO STOP WATER INTRUSION.

NHTSA ID
11281686
Incident
Jul 28, 2017
Mileage
27,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 19, 2019

EXCESS PLAY AND SLOPPY STEERING. LOOSE AND WORN PITMAN ARM AND IDLER ARM NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 37,844 MILES. VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED AND NOT ABUSED OFF ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11233402
Incident
Jul 18, 2019
Mileage
37,844 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V088000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT CALLED CARL BLACK CHEVROLET BUICK GMC AT (888) 457-2417 (LOCATED AT 1110 ROBERTS BLVD NW, KENNESAW, GA 30144) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11230952
Incident
Feb 7, 2019
Steering
Filed Apr 6, 2019

SLOPPY LOOSE STEERING, SLACK ADJUSTER STUD LOOSENED 3/8 INCH, 3 TO 4 INCH STEERING PLAY. UNSAFE. LOCTITE FIX DOES NOT LAST. NEW RE-ENGINEERED GEAR BOX RECALL NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
11194303
Incident
Feb 20, 2019
Mileage
29,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AND BECAME STUCK WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AS SHE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AS IT APPROACHED AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO GOSCH CHEVROLET OF HEMET (400 CARRIAGE CIR, HEMET, CA 92545, (951) 216-3486) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THERE WAS SUSPICION THAT THE PUMP COULD FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A CASE MANAGER WOULD CALL HER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,444.

NHTSA ID
11164844
Incident
Jan 3, 2019
Mileage
44,444 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DROVE OUT OF TOWN AND, UPON HIS RETURN, HE NOTICED THAT THE TWO REAR RIMS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COUNTRY CHEVROLET (880 S MAIN ST, COLVILLE, WA 99114, (509) 684-8404) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WANTED FOUR NEW RIMS INSTEAD, BUT CHEVROLET DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID
11160822
Incident
Dec 7, 2018
Mileage
35,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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