RoadVitals

2016 GMC Savana Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
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Latest Aug 29, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Savana, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering327.3%
  • Driver assistance218.2%
  • Brakes218.2%
  • Suspension19.1%
  • Other / unspecified19.1%
  • Electrical19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED IN THE PENSKE PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE FELT FINE, ENGINE LOOKED GOOD, REAR TIRES WERE WORN, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY CONFORMED TO DOT STANDARDS. AFTER THE PURCHASE I STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH OUT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. THE TRUCK ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRUCK NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PENSKE GIVES A 15 DAY PERIOD WHEN THEY WILL REPAIR DAMAGE YOU HAVE FOUND. I ARRANGED WITH ALYSE, THE GIRL THAT WORKS FOR PENSKE SALES IN PENNSYLVANIA. SHE HAD ME BRING THE TRUCK TO CORONA RENTAL AND REPAIR CENTER. I PICKED THE TRUCK UP ON THE 15TH OF MARCH AND BROUGHT IT TO PENSKE FOR REPAIRS ON THE FRIDAY, 19, MARCH 2021. I CALLED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, AND TALKED TO YEISEN DELGADO, THE SALES REP WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM. HE SAID THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND DENIED IT WITH VIGOR. I COULD SEE I WAS NOT GOING TO GET MY TRUCK REPAIRED. I WENT TO VIEW THE TRUCK THE NEXT WEEK, AND WAS MET BY VICTOR, THE REPAIR MECHANIC SUPERVISOR. HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE MANY PICTURES. THEY HAD DRAWN AN ARROW INDICATING THE DAMAGE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE WAS AL LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD. I HAD POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK FOR 4 OR 5 DAYS. I HAD A CARFAX REPORT AND IT CLEARLY SAID NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE REPORTED. SO, I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THEM TO REPAIR THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FIXING NOW. BUT, I HAVE PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT WAS CERTIFIED PROVEN TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. I COULD NOT USE IT TO DRIVE MY HOME FURNITURE/GOODS THE 1347 MILES TO MY NEW HOME. PHOTO'S SHOW THE RUST ON THE RAMPAGED PARTS ARE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD.

NHTSA ID 11408196 · filed Apr 15, 2021

OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST 4 MONTHS IN FOLLOWING ORDER: INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH AT PEDAL REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOW STAYING OFF. STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERS ITSELF TO LEFT A FEW DEGREES. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING RE-OCCURS. BRAKES PULLING SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. BRAKES STOP PULLING LEFT. STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERS. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE CEASES IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA ID 11365198 · filed Oct 19, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST 4 MONTHS IN FOLLOWING ORDER: INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH AT PEDAL REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOW STAYING OFF. STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERS ITSELF TO LEFT A FEW DEGREES. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING RE-OCCURS. BRAKES PULLING SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. BRAKES STOP PULLING LEFT. STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERS. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE CEASES IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA ID 11365198 · filed Oct 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SAVANA. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED ON, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK CHEVROLET BUICK (1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STABILITRAC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING POSITION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-529-6763906. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,900.

NHTSA ID 11219707 · filed Jun 13, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST 4 MONTHS IN FOLLOWING ORDER: INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH AT PEDAL REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOW STAYING OFF. STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERS ITSELF TO LEFT A FEW DEGREES. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING RE-OCCURS. BRAKES PULLING SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. BRAKES STOP PULLING LEFT. STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERS. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE CEASES IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA ID 11365198 · filed Oct 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SAVANA. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED ON, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK CHEVROLET BUICK (1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STABILITRAC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING POSITION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-529-6763906. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,900.

NHTSA ID 11219707 · filed Jun 13, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED IN THE PENSKE PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE FELT FINE, ENGINE LOOKED GOOD, REAR TIRES WERE WORN, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY CONFORMED TO DOT STANDARDS. AFTER THE PURCHASE I STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH OUT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. THE TRUCK ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRUCK NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PENSKE GIVES A 15 DAY PERIOD WHEN THEY WILL REPAIR DAMAGE YOU HAVE FOUND. I ARRANGED WITH ALYSE, THE GIRL THAT WORKS FOR PENSKE SALES IN PENNSYLVANIA. SHE HAD ME BRING THE TRUCK TO CORONA RENTAL AND REPAIR CENTER. I PICKED THE TRUCK UP ON THE 15TH OF MARCH AND BROUGHT IT TO PENSKE FOR REPAIRS ON THE FRIDAY, 19, MARCH 2021. I CALLED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, AND TALKED TO YEISEN DELGADO, THE SALES REP WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM. HE SAID THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND DENIED IT WITH VIGOR. I COULD SEE I WAS NOT GOING TO GET MY TRUCK REPAIRED. I WENT TO VIEW THE TRUCK THE NEXT WEEK, AND WAS MET BY VICTOR, THE REPAIR MECHANIC SUPERVISOR. HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE MANY PICTURES. THEY HAD DRAWN AN ARROW INDICATING THE DAMAGE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE WAS AL LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD. I HAD POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK FOR 4 OR 5 DAYS. I HAD A CARFAX REPORT AND IT CLEARLY SAID NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE REPORTED. SO, I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THEM TO REPAIR THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FIXING NOW. BUT, I HAVE PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT WAS CERTIFIED PROVEN TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. I COULD NOT USE IT TO DRIVE MY HOME FURNITURE/GOODS THE 1347 MILES TO MY NEW HOME. PHOTO'S SHOW THE RUST ON THE RAMPAGED PARTS ARE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD.

NHTSA ID 11408196 · filed Apr 15, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED IN THE PENSKE PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE FELT FINE, ENGINE LOOKED GOOD, REAR TIRES WERE WORN, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY CONFORMED TO DOT STANDARDS. AFTER THE PURCHASE I STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH OUT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. THE TRUCK ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRUCK NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PENSKE GIVES A 15 DAY PERIOD WHEN THEY WILL REPAIR DAMAGE YOU HAVE FOUND. I ARRANGED WITH ALYSE, THE GIRL THAT WORKS FOR PENSKE SALES IN PENNSYLVANIA. SHE HAD ME BRING THE TRUCK TO CORONA RENTAL AND REPAIR CENTER. I PICKED THE TRUCK UP ON THE 15TH OF MARCH AND BROUGHT IT TO PENSKE FOR REPAIRS ON THE FRIDAY, 19, MARCH 2021. I CALLED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, AND TALKED TO YEISEN DELGADO, THE SALES REP WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM. HE SAID THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND DENIED IT WITH VIGOR. I COULD SEE I WAS NOT GOING TO GET MY TRUCK REPAIRED. I WENT TO VIEW THE TRUCK THE NEXT WEEK, AND WAS MET BY VICTOR, THE REPAIR MECHANIC SUPERVISOR. HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE MANY PICTURES. THEY HAD DRAWN AN ARROW INDICATING THE DAMAGE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE WAS AL LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD. I HAD POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK FOR 4 OR 5 DAYS. I HAD A CARFAX REPORT AND IT CLEARLY SAID NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE REPORTED. SO, I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THEM TO REPAIR THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FIXING NOW. BUT, I HAVE PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT WAS CERTIFIED PROVEN TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. I COULD NOT USE IT TO DRIVE MY HOME FURNITURE/GOODS THE 1347 MILES TO MY NEW HOME. PHOTO'S SHOW THE RUST ON THE RAMPAGED PARTS ARE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD.

NHTSA ID 11408196 · filed Apr 15, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IN 2004 I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVY VAN. IN 2006 MY LIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MELTED TOGETHER AND I COULD NOT TURN MY LIGHTS OFF. I PAID TO GET THIS REPAIRED. IN 2008 THIS SAME VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PARKED THE VAN, OPENED THE DOOR AND GOT OUT.SAFELY. THE VAN WAS A TOTAL LOSS BUT I WAS SAFE. IN 2017 I PURCHASED A 2016 GMC VAN. THIS VAN HAS A FEATURE THAT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS MY DOORS. THE DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK WHEN I PARK THIS VAN. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE TO HAVE THIS FEATURE. I WAS ABLE TO EGRESS MY OLD VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT FIRE BUT I MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME LUCK WITH THIS AUTOMATION FEATURE THAT LOCKS MY DOORS AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS FILLING WITH SMOKE. I KEEP THINKING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN CAR SEATS AND THE DOORS DID NOT UNLOCK. I THINK THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A USELESS FEATURE BUT A DANGEROUS ONE. I SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO TURN OFF THIS AUTO LOCK FEATURE JUST AS I CAN WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG.

NHTSA ID 11230521 · filed Jul 9, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

6L80 transmission has failed @ 109,000 miles. At a stop light, in drive, vehicle would not move in drive or reverse. After switching back and forth transmission finally started to work and was able to limp to a dealership. Did not realize how big this issue is with this transmission until mine failed prematurely. I thank God that mine happened at a stop light and not when trying to accelerate at a say a stop sign where I need to cross multiple lanes of traffic. I would have been a sitting duck in the middle of oncoming traffic.

NHTSA ID 11683975 · filed Aug 29, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .