Free Preview
#BS-2016-CHESIL-7DF32016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 1,058 owners and 12 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 1,058 complaints, 66 crashes, 12 fires, and 12 recalls.
Top reported problems
transmission failure
29 complaints • Severity 9/10
condenser cracked
13 complaints • Severity 6.9/10
loud clunk when shifting
9 complaints • Severity 8/10
poor paint job
7 complaints • Severity 8/10
transmission slips
6 complaints • Severity 6.7/10
Preview: What's in your full report
Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00
Mechanic Inspection Checklist
265 owners reported brakes issues — failures commonly reported around 45K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (235 reports) • Median: 45K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Brakes (265 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 25% of all reports filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with 265 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 45,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 45K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 18% of all reports filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with 191 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with 118 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with 108 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (12 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
+ 7 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
SERVICE BRAKES
The worst model year for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is the 2017 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 1,058 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 12 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Model Years
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 reliable?
How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
How much does it cost to fix 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems?
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have any recalls?
What mileage do Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems start?
When was the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 data last updated?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 1,058 owner reports. Know before you buy.