Is the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 reliable?

The 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 has 72 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500?

Top problems: STEERING (15 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (11 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (10 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 has 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 34. The most common issue is steering problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: new truck had lose steering when i took delivery, requiring over correction. with just 4529 in mileage on it i took it back to my dealer. was told they already had made repairs to four other trucks with the same issue. they replaced the hydraulic recirculating ball steering gear. steering gear adjus. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

15 complaints

21%

• NEW TRUCK HAD LOSE STEERING WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY, REQUIRING OVER CORRECTION. WITH JUST 4529 IN MILEAGE ON IT I TOOK IT BACK TO MY DEALER. WAS TOLD THEY ALREADY HAD MADE REPAIRS TO FOUR OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING GEAR. STEERING GEAR ADJUS
• THE SAFETY CONCERN ON THIS ISSUE IS THE SIGNIFICANTLY ELEVATED POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICULAR STEERING CONTROL. AFTER THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN TO 1,700 TOTAL MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE TRUCK'S STEERING CONTROL BECAME SLOPPY IN 70MPH + INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DRIVING RESULTING IN HIGHWAY WANDER SIMILAR T
• 2016 SILVERADO 3500 EQUIPPED WITH "DIGITAL STEERING ASSIST" THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. AT APPROXIMATELY 11,000 MILES STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE WITH ABOUT 3-4 INCHES OF FREE PLAY AT THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK TO 1ST DEALER, STEERING GEAR BOX WAS REPLACED ACCORDING TO CHEVROLET TSB AND SYSTEM WORKE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“NEW TRUCK HAD LOSE STEERING WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY, REQUIRING OVER CORRECTION. WITH JUST 4529 IN MILEAGE ON IT I TOOK IT BACK TO MY DEALER. WAS TOLD THEY ALREADY HAD MADE REPAIRS TO FOUR OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING GEAR. STEERING GEAR ADJUS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500

Based on 45 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 27K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 39K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

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 (6)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES30/08/2018

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 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2016 SILVERADO 3500, 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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 72 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: NEW TRUCK HAD LOSE STEERING WHEN I TOOK DELIVERY, REQUIRING OVER CORRECTION. WITH JUST 4529 IN MILEAGE ON IT I TOOK IT BACK TO MY DEALER. WAS TOLD THEY ALREADY HAD MADE REPAIRS TO FOUR OTHER TRUCKS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC RECIRCULATING BALL STEERING GEAR. STEERING GEAR ADJUS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WE HAVE HAD REPEATED INSTANCES, WHERE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND FUEL GUAGE FLAT LINES. IF YOU CAN NOT GET TO A QUALIFIED DEALER SOON ENOUGH, VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING[ACTUALLY IT REMAINS RUNNING UNTIL IT ALMOST COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP]. WE HAVE HAD TO INSTANCES OF SHUT DOWN, AND AT LEAST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH HAULING A GOOSE NECK FLATBED DUEL TANDEM TRAILER, THE POWER BUS BAR SHORTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH A LOOSE WIRE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STARTER. THE RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE CONTACT WAS LOCKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH HAULING A GOOSE NECK FLATBED DUEL TANDEM TRAILER, THE POWER BUS BAR SHORTED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH A LOOSE WIRE ASSOCIATED WITH THE STARTER. THE RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE CONTACT WAS LOCKE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)