Free Preview
#BS-2016-GMCSIE-79CE2016 GMC Sierra 1500Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 451 owners and 8 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 451 complaints, 14 crashes, 18 fires, and 8 recalls.
Top reported problems
rough shifting
7 complaints • Severity 6.9/10
rough idle
5 complaints • Severity 6/10
ac blowing hot air
4 complaints • Severity 7.5/10
paint flaking
4 complaints • Severity 7.5/10
failure
3 complaints • Severity 10/10
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
104 owners reported brakes issues — failures commonly reported around 47K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (97 reports) • Median: 47K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Brakes (104 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 GMC Sierra 1500: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 23% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, with 104 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 47,417 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 47K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 18% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, with 83 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 GMC Sierra 1500, with 51 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, with 39 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-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 GMC Sierra 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 (8 recalls)
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
SERVICE BRAKES
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
+ 3 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 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 1500 is the 2015 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 451 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 8 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other GMC Sierra 1500 Model Years
2016 GMC Sierra 1500: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
How safe is the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
How much does it cost to fix 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?
Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
What mileage do GMC Sierra 1500 problems start?
When was the 2016 GMC Sierra 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 GMC Sierra 1500 Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 451 owner reports. Know before you buy.