2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 has 1041 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 796. The most common issue is brakes problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: my truck came with an optional $770.00 trailering package including auto locking 3.42 ratio rear end, 5.3 litre v-8. the sales pitch is i can now tow 9800 pounds. they don't tell you that there are no trailer brakes! so how am i supposed to stop when i'm towing 9800 lbs? i contacted gm and they gav. There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 11 fire reports filed.
1041
Total Complaints
11
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
1.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
BRAKES
266 complaints- • MY TRUCK CAME WITH AN OPTIONAL $770.00 TRAILERING PACKAGE INCLUDING AUTO LOCKING 3.42 RATIO REAR END, 5.3 LITRE V-8. THE SALES PITCH IS I CAN NOW TOW 9800 POUNDS. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE NO TRAILER BRAKES! SO HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STOP WHEN I'M TOWING 9800 LBS? I CONTACTED GM AND THEY GAV
- • WENT TO MAKE LEFT TURN ON WET ROAD AN IT DIDN'T TURN IT SLIDE AN KEPT GOING STRAIGHT .IT JUST DOESN'T STOP IT SLIDES YES VEHICLE WAS MOVING THE ROAD WAS WET MADE THIS SAME TURN FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS IN MANY CHEVROLET SILVERADO TRUCKS AN THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED DIFFERENT TIME EVERYONE ALL TRAFFIC ST
- • WHILE IN MOTION IN CITY AT INTERSECTION, STOPPED FOR LIGHT, PROCEEDED FORWARD BUT STEERING LOCKED, BRAKES, AND IGNITION SWITCH INACTIVE, A GRINDING CLICKING NOISE HEARD JUST AS BEGAN ACCELERATING BEFORE SAFETY FAILURE. TRUCK TOWED TO A DEALER, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE, RELEASED TRUCK, PROBLEM OCCU
“MY TRUCK CAME WITH AN OPTIONAL $770.00 TRAILERING PACKAGE INCLUDING AUTO LOCKING 3.42 RATIO REAR END, 5.3 LITRE V-8. THE SALES PITCH IS I CAN NOW TOW 9800 POUNDS. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE NO TRAILER BRAKES! SO HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STOP WHEN I'M TOWING 9800 LBS? I CONTACTED GM AND THEY GAV”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500
Based on 616 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
OTHER
SUSPENSION
WHEELS
FUEL SYSTEM
LIGHTING
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (11)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
Above-average theft risk
The Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 was the #6 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 12,400 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Full-size truck; catalytic converters + wheel theft
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 Service Intervals
GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2016 SILVERADO 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 1041 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: MY TRUCK CAME WITH AN OPTIONAL $770.00 TRAILERING PACKAGE INCLUDING AUTO LOCKING 3.42 RATIO REAR END, 5.3 LITRE V-8. THE SALES PITCH IS I CAN NOW TOW 9800 POUNDS. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE NO TRAILER BRAKES! SO HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STOP WHEN I'M TOWING 9800 LBS? I CONTACTED GM AND THEY GAV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: I BOUGHT A 2016 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 LTZ Z71 AND IT VIBRATES AT IDLE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I HAD ALREADY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET IT FIX, BUT NO LUCK. GM TOLD ME THAT IS HOW THE TRUCK IS DESIGNED TO OPERATE, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY ZERO HELP FROM GM TO HELP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PARKING ASSIST DISPLAY WOULD ERRONIOUSLY ACTIVATE ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE CHIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐STEERING: THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER IT'S A 2016 SILVERADO 1500 IT HAS A VIBRATION THAT COMES FROM THE FLOORBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTS ABOUT 60 65 MILES AND IT UP TO ABOUT 70 72 73 SOMEWHEAROUND THAT AREA NUTRA BALANCE IS NOW THE SECOND TIME AROUND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 1041
- Recalls
- 11
- Fire reports
- 11
- Crash reports
- 45
- Injury reports
- 10
- Segment avg
- 796
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500