RoadVitals

2016 GMC Sierra Denali 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.
30
Latest Jan 29, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali, 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

  • Brakes820.5%
  • Steering615.4%
  • Engine37.7%
  • Visibility25.1%
  • Electrical25.1%
  • Exterior lighting25.1%
  • Other / unspecified25.1%
  • Interior & seats12.6%
  • Seat belts12.6%
  • Driver assistance12.6%
  • Suspension12.6%
  • Body & structure12.6%

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

Powertrain (other)

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

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

APPARENTLY, THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WITH WIRING HARNESS AND HARD SHIFTING WHICH THE MANUFACTURER HAS 18 SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON YET STILL WILL NOT RECALL AND FIX PROBLEMS. ALSO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND UNSAFE IT LOSES PRESSURE AND EVEN BRAKING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY AND SAY IT IS VARIOUS PARTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT IT IS NOT AS OF YET. GM KNOWS OF THESE ISSUES AND THE 1000S OF DOLLARS CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED.

NHTSA ID 11363769 · filed Oct 11, 2020

SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ONCE IT WENT FROM 70 TO 20 ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT KICKS OR JERKS AT ANY SPEED... ESPECIALLY GOING SLOW.. THE SHIFTING IS HORRIBLE!!! THE FEELING OF IT LOSING POWER AGAIN LIKE IT DID COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND UNSELFISH AND PASSENGERS.. I DON'T TRUST IT ON THE HIGHWAY!!! I KEEP A MONITOR CONNECTED TO MY TRUCK AT ALL TIMES.. THE DATES COINCIDE WITH THE PAPERWORK!! ONGOING TRANNY ISSUES ALL THE TIME!! I PAID WAY TO MUCH FOR THIS LEMON!! ENGINE VIBRATES AROUND 80.. AND IF YOU DON'T USE YOUR BLINKER.. THEY TRUCK FIGHTS YOU TO CHANGE LANES.. IT PULLS YOU BACK!!

NHTSA ID 11352692 · filed Sep 2, 2020
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Brakes

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

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

APPARENTLY, THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WITH WIRING HARNESS AND HARD SHIFTING WHICH THE MANUFACTURER HAS 18 SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON YET STILL WILL NOT RECALL AND FIX PROBLEMS. ALSO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND UNSAFE IT LOSES PRESSURE AND EVEN BRAKING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY AND SAY IT IS VARIOUS PARTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT IT IS NOT AS OF YET. GM KNOWS OF THESE ISSUES AND THE 1000S OF DOLLARS CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED.

NHTSA ID 11363769 · filed Oct 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REVERSED AT UNDER 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR, FENDER AND SIDE MIRROR. THERE WAS NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VAN BUREN BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 2257 JERICHO TURNPIKE, GARDEN CITY PARK, NY 11040, (516) 535-9508, TO BE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID 11240305 · filed Jul 29, 2019
All 8 reports naming brakes

Steering

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

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

EXCESSIVE SLOP AND UNCONTROLLABLE, UNINTENDED STEERING SHIFTS CAUSING VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY VEER OUT OF LANE OF TRAVEL RELATED TO DEFECTIVE LASH ADJUSTMENT STEERING BOX

NHTSA ID 11399983 · filed Mar 9, 2021

SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ONCE IT WENT FROM 70 TO 20 ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT KICKS OR JERKS AT ANY SPEED... ESPECIALLY GOING SLOW.. THE SHIFTING IS HORRIBLE!!! THE FEELING OF IT LOSING POWER AGAIN LIKE IT DID COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND UNSELFISH AND PASSENGERS.. I DON'T TRUST IT ON THE HIGHWAY!!! I KEEP A MONITOR CONNECTED TO MY TRUCK AT ALL TIMES.. THE DATES COINCIDE WITH THE PAPERWORK!! ONGOING TRANNY ISSUES ALL THE TIME!! I PAID WAY TO MUCH FOR THIS LEMON!! ENGINE VIBRATES AROUND 80.. AND IF YOU DON'T USE YOUR BLINKER.. THEY TRUCK FIGHTS YOU TO CHANGE LANES.. IT PULLS YOU BACK!!

NHTSA ID 11352692 · filed Sep 2, 2020

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

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ONCE IT WENT FROM 70 TO 20 ON THE HIGHWAY.. IT KICKS OR JERKS AT ANY SPEED... ESPECIALLY GOING SLOW.. THE SHIFTING IS HORRIBLE!!! THE FEELING OF IT LOSING POWER AGAIN LIKE IT DID COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND UNSELFISH AND PASSENGERS.. I DON'T TRUST IT ON THE HIGHWAY!!! I KEEP A MONITOR CONNECTED TO MY TRUCK AT ALL TIMES.. THE DATES COINCIDE WITH THE PAPERWORK!! ONGOING TRANNY ISSUES ALL THE TIME!! I PAID WAY TO MUCH FOR THIS LEMON!! ENGINE VIBRATES AROUND 80.. AND IF YOU DON'T USE YOUR BLINKER.. THEY TRUCK FIGHTS YOU TO CHANGE LANES.. IT PULLS YOU BACK!!

NHTSA ID 11352692 · filed Sep 2, 2020

MY 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500 DIESEL DENALI HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES AND OVER 50 DAYS SINCE NOVEMBER 4, 2017 FOR AN EMISSIONS ISSUE. ON NOVEMBER 4 WHILE DRIVING, I RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT SAID TO SERVICE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND A COUNTDOWN STARTED, REDUCING THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE BY 10 MPH AFTER EVERY 50-75 MILES . THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 38,700 MILES AT THE TIME. THE ERROR MESSAGE THAT THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED WAS P205B REDUCTANT TANK TEMPERATURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE. THEY REPLACED THE EMISSION REDUCTION TANK RESERVOIR AND COMPLETED A REGENERATION TEST. ON DECEMBER 11 I GOT THE SAME MESSAGE AND THEY RECEIVED A REDUCTANT HEATER CONTROL CIRCUIT LOW ERROR AND THEY REPLACED GLOW PLUG CONTROL MODULE. ON JANUARY 2 I GOT THE SAME MESSAGE AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE EMISSION REDUCTION FLUID SUPPLY PUMP MODULE. ON JANUARY 17 I GOT THE SAME ERROR AND THEY REPLACED REPLACED THE REDUCTION FLUID SUPPLY PUMP MODULE AGAIN. I GOT THE SAME SERVICE EXHAUST SYSTEM ERROR AND TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FEBRUARY 10. IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 27 AND THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH EITHER THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM OR THE COMPUTER THAT RUNS THE SYSTEM, BUT NO ONE CAN SAY FOR SURE.

NHTSA ID 11075339 · filed Feb 27, 2018

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the rear windshield exploded without impact. The contact stated that the rear fogger had been activated independently. There were no injuries sustained. There was water located in the third taillight. The contact noticed there was mold and mildew in the taillight. The contact was seeking assistance from the insurance company. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11639303 · filed Jan 29, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, WITHIN APPROXIMATE 2 FEET THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE BACKUP CAMERA AND NOTICED SMOKE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICE SHATTERED GLASS. THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID 11307330 · filed Feb 5, 2020

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE DIESEL 3500 1FUEL TANK THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T ALWAYS COME ON AND IF DOES IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MILES BEFORE IT BEGINS TO WORK. OR SOMETIMES IT MAY JUST QUIT. THEN OTHER TIME IT MAY WORK JUST FINE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DID NOT START TILL I TURNED ABOUT 40,000 I HAVE ABOUT 42,000 NOW. IF IT WORKS TODAY THEN IF IT SET FOR AN FEW DAY IT MAY NOT WHEN IT START TILL YOU DRIVE SEVERAL MILES. THEN IT MAY WORK FOR SEVERAL DAY THEN IT MAY STOP YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT GOING TO STOP. DO YOU HAVE A ANSWER FOR THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THERE A PROBLEM WITH DUAL TANKS BUT HAVE SINGLE TANK.

NHTSA ID 11321745 · filed Apr 20, 2020

A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING TRUCK WITH REMOTE STARTER (DEFROSTER ON), A PORTION OF THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. SEEMS LIKE SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, APPARENTLY CAUSED BY THE DEFROSTER OVERHEATING THE GLASS.

NHTSA ID 11193133 · filed Apr 1, 2019

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the rear windshield exploded without impact. The contact stated that the rear fogger had been activated independently. There were no injuries sustained. There was water located in the third taillight. The contact noticed there was mold and mildew in the taillight. The contact was seeking assistance from the insurance company. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11639303 · filed Jan 29, 2025

PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT LED LIGHTS FAILED. LIGHT BEGAN TO DIM AND FLUTTER IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN LED STRIP, EVENTUALLY TOTALLY FAILING IN BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL.

NHTSA ID 11297821 · filed Jan 7, 2020

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HIT POST AT PARKING SPEED AN WHEEL SPLIT INTO TWO SECTIONS

NHTSA ID 11337673 · filed Jul 6, 2020

8 SPEED TRANSMISSION BUCKS, HESITATES, LURCHES FORWARD, CLUNKS, WHILE STARTUNG ACCELERATION OR COMING TO A STOP. I TRY TO KEEP A BIG GAP BETWEEN MY TRUCK AND CARS IN FRONT OF ME AT STOP SIGNS BECAUSE IT RANDOMLY LURCHES FORWARD AND I ALMOST HAVE BUMPED CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER SO MANU TIMES TO FIX THE VIBRATION ISSUES AS WELL, THEY SAID 3 TIRES THAT CAME IN THE BRAND NEW TRUCK WERE DEFECTIVE SO I HAD TO REPLACE THEM ALL AND THE SHAKE IS STILL THERE, THE BALANCED, REBALANCED, ROAD FORCE BALANCE AND NOTHING WORKS. LAST TIME AT THE DEALER SAID IT IS PROBABLY THE TIRES, HE SAID DONT ROTATE THEM AGAIN AND WHEN THEY WEAR OUT HE WILL PUT ME IN A 'BETTER' TIRE. I AM PAST MY WARRANTY SO THE DEALER SAYS ANY COSTS ARE MY RESPONSIBILITT, IF THE NHTSA COULD PLEASE STEP IN TO ASSIST US TO MAKE GM FIC THEAE VEHICLES WHICH ARE A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID 11118643 · filed Aug 8, 2018

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

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR SEAT HEADRESTS ARE UNDERSIZED AND TOO SMALL TO PROPERLY PROTECT AND ACCOMMODATE TEENAGE AND ADULT PASSENGERS. ALSO, WHEN THEY ARE SET AT THEIR HIGHEST SETTING, THEY BECOME UNLOCKED WITH VERY LITTLE BACK OR SHOULDER PRESSURE AND FALL TO THE LOWEST SETTING. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID 11063400 · filed Jan 17, 2018

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

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1) REAR DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHEN UNBUCKLED. SEATBELT HAD TO BE MANUALLY FED BACK IN SO THAT THE BELT DIDN'T DANGLE OR GET SHUT IN THE DOOR. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 18, 2020 AT ROUGHLY 55-56,000 MILES. 2) TRUCK IS CURRENTLY SHAKING WHEN DRIVING AND HAS TENDENCIES TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT TIMES. I'M CURRENTLY JUST SHY OF 59,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE WITHIN THE LAST 1,000 MILES. RESEARCHING IT APPEARS IT HAS A COMMON NAME OF "CHEVY SHAKE."

NHTSA ID 11351566 · filed Aug 27, 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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

APPARENTLY, THE 8 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUES WITH WIRING HARNESS AND HARD SHIFTING WHICH THE MANUFACTURER HAS 18 SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON YET STILL WILL NOT RECALL AND FIX PROBLEMS. ALSO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND UNSAFE IT LOSES PRESSURE AND EVEN BRAKING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY AND SAY IT IS VARIOUS PARTS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BUT IT IS NOT AS OF YET. GM KNOWS OF THESE ISSUES AND THE 1000S OF DOLLARS CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS WRONG AND NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED.

NHTSA ID 11363769 · filed Oct 11, 2020

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

THE SEALS ON THE FRONT END SUSPENSION SHOCKS - SEALS ARE BROKEN ON BOTH FRONT SETS GREASE IS LEAKING OUT OF THEM AND CAUSING A ROUGH RIDE WITH NOISE WHEN YOU GO OVER BUMP

NHTSA ID 11204434 · filed Apr 29, 2019

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

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY SUNROOF EXPLODED. SCREEN WAS IN PLACE SO GLASS SHARDS DID NOT ENTER THE CABIN. THERE WAS NOT AN OVERPASS NOR LARGE TRUCKS IN THE AREA TO BE CAUSED BY DEBRIS OR THROWN ROCKS.

NHTSA ID 11400327 · filed Mar 11, 2021

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 .