Is the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500 reliable?

The 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500 has 439 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500?

Top problems: BRAKES (105 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (83 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (54 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500 is approximately $1,473/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 Gmc SIERRA 1500

Q: Is the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500 often stolen?

The Gmc SIERRA 1500 was the #16 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 6,300 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500 has 439 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 472. The most common issue is brakes problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: when the peddles are raised and you step on the brake you could be pushing the gas and brake at the same time. when the peddles are lowered this does not happen. a lot of people step on the side of the brake and it happens only when raised.. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 18 fire reports filed.

18 fire reports 9 crash reports 9 injuries

439

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

105 complaints

24%

• WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE RAISED AND YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD BE PUSHING THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE LOWERED THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE STEP ON THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN RAISED.
• VACUUM PUMP FAILURE. THE TRUCK HAD THE VACUUM PUMP FAIL AFTER ONLY 56,XXX MILES. THE PUMP FAILED AND CAUSE ME A HARD BRAKE PEDAL WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE PART INTERNALLY FAILED AND WAS NOT PRODUCING ENOUGH VACUUM TO SUPPLY THE BRAKE BOOSTER. AFTER DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE DEALER IT WAS A COMMON P
• BRAKES ARE HARD TO PRES AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE ABLE TO STOP. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN PARKING OR AT STOP LIGHTS. VEHICLE HAS 48K MILES.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 8 crashes

“WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE RAISED AND YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD BE PUSHING THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE LOWERED THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE STEP ON THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN RAISED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 1500

Based on 234 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 45K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 29K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Reported earliermedian 35K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Reported earliermedian 15K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 72 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 19 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 (7)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM06/09/2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

Above-average theft risk

#16 most stolen in 2025

The Gmc SIERRA 1500 was the #16 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 6,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Full-size truck; parts demand

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 Gmc SIERRA 1500

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

$1,473

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$574

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 risk1.06x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1473

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

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc SIERRA 1500 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

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"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.

Gmc 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 Gmc. If you're buying a used 2016 SIERRA 1500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 439 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE RAISED AND YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD BE PUSHING THE GAS AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THE PEDDLES ARE LOWERED THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. A LOT OF PEOPLE STEP ON THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE AND IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN RAISED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE SHAKES & VIBRATES AT SPEED I & OTHER OWNERS ARE REPORTING THAT CONDITION LEADS TO HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, AND NAUSEA. THIS TRUCK IS A REPLACEMENT FOR A 2014 THAT EXHIBITED SAME ISSUES. 2014 WAS TRADED FOR 2016 WITH $$ ASSISTANCE FROM GM WHEN THEY DID ADMIT THERE WAS NO FIX FOR VIBRATION ISS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I BOUGHT A NEW 2015 GMC SIERRA 4X4 FROM BOB KING AUTO IN WILMINGTON NC WITH 0 MILE'S ON IT VERY EXPENSIVE TRUCK. YOU CAN'T SEE AT NIGHT TO DRIVE THE HEADLIGHT'S THE HEADLIGHT'S HAVE NO DISTANCE TO THEM MAYBE 25 FT. AND NO SIDE VISION IN OTHER WORD'S YOU CAN'T SEE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALSO IF IT'S RA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: ON TWO SEPARATE OCCURRENCES, W/ FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE, STARTING SPEED AT APPROX. 35MPH, THE ACCELERATOR (GAS PEDAL) STUCK TO THE FLOOR DURING THE PROCESS OF PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE DURING CITY STREET DRIVING. TOP SPEED GOT TO APPROX. 55MPH, W/ STOP LIGHTS FAST APPROACHING. THE PEDAL SIMPLY WOULD NOT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)