2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (45) · Power Train (16) · Service Brakes (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Silverado 2500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
79 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Air Bags:side/Window:curtain:inflator 2026-09-24 · campaign 26V611000 · 1,559 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 21, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262569920. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 24, 2026.
Air Bags:side/Window:curtain:inflator 2021-07-01 · campaign 21V504000 · 410,019 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. T
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2018-08-30 · campaign 18V578000 · 42,280 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2017-07-10 · campaign 17V437000 · 40,683 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2016-09-08 · campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V069000 · 430,771 vehicles
Defect: 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 inoper
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 brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. 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 20760.
Service bulletins (1,781)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5509N · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-24 · PIT5544J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power steering gear. this noise is a characteristic of the new active hydraulic assist system rpo nv8 and no repairs should be made. the noise is most noticeable in the cab at idle, in park, with all acces
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-14 · PIT5509M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,781 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-26 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 2500. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. the local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 100,000.…”
2026-03-10 · Power Train“the vehicle developed a extremely hard down shift and then a check engine light came on. the vehicle went into limp mode, took the vehicle to local diesel mechanic and i was informed that the transmission was bad and had to be replaced, while replacing the transmission i was also told the transfer case was making noise and needed to be replaced. th…”
2026-02-08 · Air Bags“while driving down the road at 60 mph the roof and side airbags deployed on both sides of the truck with no collision only driving down the road. the vehicle was inspected by gm and they claiming no defect on their side. however recall n202324251 roof rail air bag inflator may rupture, for other 2016 chevy silverado's 2500 exists. this is large …”
2025-12-24 · Equipment“had new western wideout snowplow (recommended by western) installed by western dealership on a 2016 chevrolet silverado 2500hd with snow plow prep package. vehicle's instrument cluster, hvas, radio and other electrical systems cut out while operating snowplow. gm is well aware of this issue which has been discussed and documented per gm service bu…”
2025-12-24 · Engine“had new western wideout snowplow (recommended by western) installed by western dealership on a 2016 chevrolet silverado 2500hd with the factory snow plow prep package (rpo vyu). vehicles instrument cluster, hvac, radio and other electrical systems cut out while operating snowplow. gm is well aware of this issue per gm service bulleting no.: pit5387…”
2025-09-29 · Power Train · 190,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 2500. the contact stated while driving 45-55 mph and hauling a trailer, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. the vehicle was shuddering abnormally, and the wheels locked up for approximately 4-seconds. the contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard. the thermostat ligh…”
2025-06-06 · Unknown Or Other“tranmission isn't running right and gas and brakes are not working properly. also fuel pump or relay gets hot shuts off while driving. …”
2025-05-02 · Power Train“transmission was acting funny. check engine light came on. took it to a reputable transmission shop who stated it needs a full rebuild due to bad torque converter. $5500. the truck only has 65k mi. …”
2025-04-15 · Power Train“truck is under 105000 miles and needs a transmission due to a failed torque converter. first starts with erratic speeds in cruise control mode that is unsafe then will not shift into overdrive causing overheating issues.…”
2025-04-14 · Power Train · 146,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 2500. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. no warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.