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2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
40
Latest Aug 11, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 340 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 40 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 40, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 11, 2026

The vehicle stopped dead in traffic and would not restart. No warning lights. This is a huge safety hazard. Had to be towed to a dealership. The dealership and other diesel shops said the issue is a known catastrophic CP4 fuel pump failure. The fuel pump shreds and metal shavings are found throughout the fuel system. Requires a full fuel system replacement...quotes have been obtained from GM dealership and local diesel mechanics, ranged from $15,000-$17,000. There is a known fix and could have been solved by replacing the fuel pump with an alternative one, without putting us in a dangerous situation. There is also a settled class action lawsuit directly associated to this fuel pump and issue, however the vehicle was purchased in GA and therefore not included. Based on the VIN the truck would be included if sold within a qualifying state. GM corporate and dealers know about this problem and the safety risk, but are not even suggesting the fuel pump conversation as a repair. They are putting customers in dangerous situations and leaving them with high bills.

NHTSA ID
11756191
Incident
Jul 7, 2026
Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2026

Catastrophic engine failure while traveling 40 mph. Dealership diagnosed as cylinder walls being scorched and rods blown through. No warning signs existed - just had a loud thud before the check engine light started flashing and grinding sound started coming from engine.

NHTSA ID
11748967
Incident
Jul 6, 2026
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2026

Engine has developed a serious lifter / cam issue. dealer identified it as a result of Displacement on Demand design. Total engine replacement recommended by dealer but since the mileage on that vehicle is over 100,000 warranty, the repair is not covered. Known issue, should have been pointed out by dealer / manufacturer before warranty expiration. FYI _ I do all repair work at dealer. Vehicle looses power intermittently is is not drivable at any distance. Manufacturing / design issue known over different versions of this engine since 2010, I believe.

NHTSA ID
11712198
Incident
Jan 15, 2025
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the radiator was leaking fluid. There was no warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11674626
Incident
Jul 15, 2025
Mileage
98,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her and her husband were driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brake was depressed; however, the braking distance was extended, and the vehicle took longer to slow down. The contact also stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, her husband observed a loud sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine and braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11665987
Incident
Jul 15, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed May 15, 2025

I have not experienced a failure as of yet. But the CP4 fule pump is prone to fail. With that failure the engine is destroyed as well. So why is there no recall to get the CP4 fuel pump replaced? GM has been sued correct? A settlement of $35 million due to the failure of the CP4 fuel pump. So why is there no recall to address the issue before it happens? I have contacted GM directly and got no assistance. They just told me to fill a complaint. My Vehicle is a 2016 GMC Denali 2500 with the Duramax motor. This issue needs to have a recall! Why should owners of these vehicles with the CP4 fuel pumps have to wait until it fails and cost thousands of dollars to get assistance or reimbursement. Would appreciate any help with this matter. Thank You.

NHTSA ID
11661154
Incident
May 15, 2025
Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2025

Having the same issue as the recent recall on the 6.2L v8 engine failures. This has been an ongoing issue from well before the 2021 and up manufacturing dates according to many online complaints. My vehicle now needs a motor due to complete failure.This came out of nowhere with no warning very recently. It is not drivable and a new motor is not in my budget when I still owe money on the truck. GM needs to step up for the rest of these failures.

NHTSA ID
11657762
Incident
Mar 3, 2025
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2025

My truck uses excessive oil .i bought my truck on [XXX] and we decided to take it to pipestone camping for the weekend in August of 2023 . I still had roughly 3000miles before my next service . We left on a Saturday night to go home around 12:30 am . it was a 4 hr drive and about 3:00am my oil light came on . Before we left i checked the oil and it was full I stopped at the nearest gas station which was 10 miles and it took 2 and1/2 quarts to hit the full mark then went to Arkansas with the truck, just had it serviced prior and checked myself before we left and it was good . We drove there and back I checked at every gas fillup. The light never came on but when I checked the next day it was 2 1/2 quarts low this was this past January of 2025 it’s gotta be blowing past the rings or something with the pcv system ,but this is far from routine and could destroy the motor or at the least severely diminish the longevity of my truck and [XXX] knows of all safety concerns anywhere from engine seizing up all of a sudden driving down the interstate at speed and losing power to everything. Degrading the oil like that is not good for any internal parts . Now every time I start it the lifters tic and it only has 84263 miles .This is a very expensive truck . I take care of my vehicles to make them last and I can’t afford another pickup in this price range which was 38,000 in 23 . I know I can’t be the only one complaining about this issue . I’ve had it serviced by a outlet of the dealership I bought from it only been serviced 2 times that I know of since I bought and well before the service it’s been drastically low on oil with well over half the miles left before the next service . To me that’s insane . I have a ford fusion I’ve never added oil since I bought it and it has twice the millage . Gm needs to take responsibility for this and get these autos fixed before there is a fatality because of the faulty cheep parts they put in these trucks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.

NHTSA ID
11651522
Incident
Aug 24, 2023
EngineSteering
Filed Feb 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a sharp turn, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shut off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the ECM was losing power and that further testing was needed to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID
11644858
Incident
Jul 25, 2024
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact opened the hood and heard a clicking sound. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ID
11618441
Incident
Oct 6, 2024
Mileage
136,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 15, 2024

I have a 2016 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and experiencing a very scary problem that has suddenly developed with this vehicle. As I am parking or in a slow turn, the vehicle completely looses all power [engine, electronics, brakes, etc..] and the steering wheel jerks out of my hands and then a second or 2 later it comes back on and then repeated 2 more times as I was attempting to park. I had this happen while turning into a parking spot at the store. Then the next day it did it a again as I was turning into a different parking lot. I loose complete control of the vehicle. I have been lucky not to hit another vehicle, more specifically a person. I decided to park the vehicle at home and not drive it until I get GMC service to diagnose. I have an appointment at a dealership to diagnose the problem on 08-15-204 at "Chevrolet Buck GMC of Puyallup Inc.". I did some research on the internet and found a site where others have experienced the same problem. I looked for recalls yet none are concerning my vehicle, however I did find a recall# N202325410 that fits the entire issue for some earlier vehicles. Same exact problem. Something to do with the steering column electrical harness. Please advise what recourse I have?

NHTSA ID
11608843
Incident
Aug 4, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission started shifting improperly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission fluid control sensor. The contact was informed that due to the transmission fluid sensor failure, the torque converter control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several different independent mechanics and the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact provided the DTC codes: P0711 and P0700. The contact researched and discovered a previous repair coverage with a similar failure description. The coverage program code was N192291660. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that there were no unrepaired recalls or coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,624.

NHTSA ID
11596110
Incident
Apr 24, 2024
Mileage
86,624 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 21, 2024

Radiator leak. Low coolant, had to keep adding coolant. Only 76000 miles on truck. No warning other than the coolant temp was going up and down as I accelerated.

NHTSA ID
11578801
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
Engine
Filed Feb 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a loud noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine camshaft and lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,500.

NHTSA ID
11573286
Incident
Feb 1, 2024
Mileage
96,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped and examined the vehicle and became aware that the clicking sound was coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11534128
Incident
Jul 19, 2023
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2023

2016 gmc sierra 1500 with a 5.3 v8. Dropped a lifter on cylinder one at 79k miles due to the active fuel management known as AFM and Causing the truck to misfire and shake so bad that the truck turned its self off going up hill on a busy highway at 60 mph causing me to have no brakes nor steering and tried turning the truck back on for brakes and steering and it wouldn’t turn over and just crank. Then got it to crank took it home then took it to the dealership the next day which was 5/30/2023 it was at dealership and they fixed after a week of being in the shop from 5/30/2023 to 6/14/2023 the same day I dropped a lifter on cylinder 7 aswell 2 hours after leaving the dealership causing the truck run even rougher and misfiring.

NHTSA ID
11527126
Incident
May 30, 2023
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jun 11, 2023

Electronics flash on and off then steering wheel jerks hard back and forth. Total loss of everything.

NHTSA ID
11526471
Incident
Jun 11, 2023
Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that her husband had to frequently add oil to the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing an oil consumption test to be completed since an oil leak was not located. An oil consumption test was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11519236
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while starting and driving the vehicle, the engine experienced rough idling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire and that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact declined the repair, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with codes: P050D, P2099, P219B, and P0300 for the fuel injector. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment N182198000 (Engine Fuel Injector); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was then taken to Champion Chevrolet Buick GMC (502 S 1st St, La Grange, KY 40031) where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the Special Coverage Adjustment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

NHTSA ID
11517362
Incident
Jan 30, 2023
Mileage
81,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2023

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11514874
Incident
Jun 9, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2023

I DROVE UP TO A YIELD SIGN, WHEN ON COMING TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR I STEP ON THE GAS THEN I HEARD MY ENGINE KNOCKING I TRIED TO GO BUT I ONLY COULD GET UP TO 30 MPH I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIAGNOSE IT AND SAID THAT THE NUMBER 7 CYLINDER HAD MISFIRED I HAD A MANCHANIC TO REPAIR IT AND IT COST ME $4200.00.

NHTSA ID
11508364
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic convert needed to be replaced and cylinder #7 misfiring. The contact was informed that the rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact had not yet received a response. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ID
11508355
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
Mileage
113,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 28, 2022

My 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 (5.3L 8-speed). When on the highway or in the city when the truck is changing gears it has a shake almost like hitting small bumps on the side of the road. I have several friends and family members with the same model truck and have spent thousands of dollars to fix the problem by modifying the whole truck. Is there anyway a recall could be made since it has to be a huge issue with all models with the v4 mode? I brought it to a transmission shop due to GMC dealerships being booked for weeks..the receipt is attached! They said the fluid was burnt and changed it but need new torque converter!

NHTSA ID
11499105
Incident
Nov 27, 2022
Engine
Filed Aug 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle responded at a rapid rate of speed. As a result, the vehicle almost crashed into another vehicle. The contact was concerned for her children safety. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where it was placed on a diagnostic machine indicating code P050D. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 had a misfire and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that three days later, the engine warning light illuminated, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment for a later date. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 72,727.

NHTSA ID
11480735
Incident
Jun 21, 2022
Mileage
72,727 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 24, 2021

The engine light has come on with issues for transmission and the engine is shuttering/skipping. The tech found lifter failure and truck needs a transmission. I have been in contact with GM about this issues and submitted the repair cost for review.

NHTSA ID
11444894
Incident
May 1, 2021

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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