Is the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500 reliable?

The 2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500 has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500?

Top problems: BRAKES (6 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 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 Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 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 Gmc SIERRA 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500 has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 25. The most common issue is brakes problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: -all started with loud pop, metal failure sound. -at a stop, with brakes applied, the power steering turns the wheel to the right. i have to pull to the left to keep the wheel centered. (not moving) this pressure issue will finally stop and the wheel will center on it's own. -steering has slop, f. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

6 complaints

22%

• -ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED. (NOT MOVING) THIS PRESSURE ISSUE WILL FINALLY STOP AND THE WHEEL WILL CENTER ON IT'S OWN. -STEERING HAS SLOP, F
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE PASSING A BOAT RAMP HAULING A BOAT TRAILER, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE VEH
• THE BRAKE BOOSTER CILYNDER HAVE A BAD LEAKING IT WAS PARKED WHEN I SAW THIS HAPPEN

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

“-ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED. (NOT MOVING) THIS PRESSURE ISSUE WILL FINALLY STOP AND THE WHEEL WILL CENTER ON IT'S OWN. -STEERING HAS SLOP, F”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Gmc SIERRA 3500

Based on 10 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 64K 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+

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 Gmc SIERRA 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 Gmc SIERRA 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

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 3500, 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

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: -ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED. (NOT MOVING) THIS PRESSURE ISSUE WILL FINALLY STOP AND THE WHEEL WILL CENTER ON IT'S OWN. -STEERING HAS SLOP, F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: -ALL STARTED WITH LOUD POP, METAL FAILURE SOUND. -AT A STOP, WITH BRAKES APPLIED, THE POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE TO PULL TO THE LEFT TO KEEP THE WHEEL CENTERED. (NOT MOVING) THIS PRESSURE ISSUE WILL FINALLY STOP AND THE WHEEL WILL CENTER ON IT'S OWN. -STEERING HAS SLOP, F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE PASSING A BOAT RAMP HAULING A BOAT TRAILER, THE BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RECONNECT THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE VEH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: I own a 2016 GMC 3500 Diesel that had a serious mechanical breakdown while traveling on the freeway. The truck lost all motive power and needed to coast across 4 freeway lanes. Once towed to a local GMC Dealer, they diagnosed the problem as the Bosch CP4 fuel pump internally came apart while driving
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)