2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 has 156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 101. The most common issue is steering problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: at 7500 miles my trucks steering became really loose. could move 2 to 3 inches with out any wheel movement. which created a very dangerous driving condition. *tr. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
156
Total Complaints
5
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
1.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
STEERING
49 complaints- • AT 7500 MILES MY TRUCKS STEERING BECAME REALLY LOOSE. COULD MOVE 2 TO 3 INCHES WITH OUT ANY WHEEL MOVEMENT. WHICH CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR
- • OVER A PERIOD OF APROX 600 MILES/3DAYS, THE STEERING HAS GONE FROM NEAR 0 SLACK/PLAY TO WELL OVER 1 1/2 INCHES OF PLAY RESULTING ERRATIC STEERING RESPONSE WHICH, WHEN ON NARROW HIGHWAYS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STAY IN YOUR LANE. SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAD CLOSE CALLS BOTH WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC AND WITH R
- • EXCESSIVE STEERING WHEEL PLAY OR (LASH). WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I CAN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 3 INCHES PAST CENTER TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE TRUCK HAS NO RESPONSE. THIS IS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR LANE BECAUSE OF CHANGING ROAD GRADES AND CROW
“AT 7500 MILES MY TRUCKS STEERING BECAME REALLY LOOSE. COULD MOVE 2 TO 3 INCHES WITH OUT ANY WHEEL MOVEMENT. WHICH CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500
Based on 93 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 35K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
STEERING
BRAKES
FUEL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL
OTHER
BODY/STRUCTURE
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 (5)
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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500
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 2500 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 2500, 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 156 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐STEERING: AT 7500 MILES MY TRUCKS STEERING BECAME REALLY LOOSE. COULD MOVE 2 TO 3 INCHES WITH OUT ANY WHEEL MOVEMENT. WHICH CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK IN 6TH GEAR AT 65 MPH, I APPROACHED A HILL AND I CHANGED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO THE MANUAL POSITION AND TO MY SURPRISE IT WENT INTO 4TH GEAR, RACING THE RPMS UP TO 3500 AND TRIED TO SLOW THE TRUCK DOWN QUICKER THAN I WANTED. THE BIGGER PROBLEM WITH THIS IS SLIPPERY SNOW COVER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH MY AUDIO SYSTEM IN THE 2016 SILVERADO 2500 HIGH COUNTRY TRUCK. THE AUDIO SEEMS TO GO IN AND OUT OF STEREO SOUND AND ALSO SSEMS TO BE CHANGING ITS EQUALIZATION PERIODICALLY. THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AND RHYME OR REASON WHEN THIS HAPPENS;
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: FOR THREE YEARS I HAVE TOWED SEVERAL 10,000# TOY HAULER TRAILERS AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH SUB STANDARD BRAKE SYSTEMS. EACH TIME I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE FINE AND NO PROBLEMS EXISTED.WITH THE TRUCKS TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM. AFTER CHECKING THE TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 156
- Recalls
- 5
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 6
- Injury reports
- 4
- Segment avg
- 101
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500