2016 GMC Savana Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 29, 2025 · 6 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Savana years
Not enough data 13th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Savana. That ranks 13th out of 31 Savana model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (3 complaints, 50%), typically at around 57,950 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

GMC Savana
A 2012 GMC Savana 3500 Extended photographed in Queens, New York , USA. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 GMC Savana problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Steering3 · ~57,950 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2 · ~57,950 mi
Service Brakes2 · ~57,950 mi
Electrical System1 · ~20,230 mi
Power Train1
Suspension1
Unknown or Other1 · ~20,300 mi
Wheels1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Steering350%57,950——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)233%57,950——
Service Brakes233%57,950——
Electrical System117%20,230——
Power Train117%———
Suspension117%———
Unknown or Other117%20,300——
Wheels117%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 3 complaints
2019: 3201932020: 1202012021: 1202112025: 120251

n = 6 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 GMC Savana recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:wiringApr 6, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V247000 · 150,830 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

Visibility:glass, side/rearMay 23, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V387000 · 1,159 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Risk: Tempered glass increases the risk of injury in the event of a side impact or rollover crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tempered glass windows with laminated glass windows, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192218960.

Electrical systemSep 21, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V655000 · 30,448 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a single, manual, rear climate control module (CCM). If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.

Risk: If the CCM overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire in the vehicle's headliner.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the electrical insulation from a wiring connector within the CCM to remove the fire risk, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 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 18299.

Visibility:power window devices and controlsMay 3, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V295000 · 207,483 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with power windows. Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.

Risk: High electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side window switch, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 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 18155.

EquipmentApr 26, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V267000 · 6,154 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

Visibility:rearview mirrors/devicesSep 29, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V700000 · 40 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Express manufactured September 25, 2015, to August 22, 2016, and 2016 GMC Savana cargo and cutaway vans manufactured January 28, 2016, to May 18, 2016. The affected vehicles were manufactured without an inside rearview mirror and with a right-hand convex exterior review mirror. These vehicles are required to have either an inside rearview mirror or both left and right-hand flat exterior rearview mirrors. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: If the driver does not have a clear unobstructed view to the back of the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will instal a right-hand flat rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 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 16036.

Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systemsApr 1, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V184000 · 321 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana incomplete vehicles equipped with a 159 inch wheel base manufactured August 2, 2013, to January 30, 2016. The affected vehicles were shipped to final stage manufacturers without a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Risk: Without a TPMS, the driver would not be alerted if one or more tires became under inflated. Driving with under inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install the hardware and software necessary to equip the vehicles with a TPMS, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 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 15819.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • 6L90 Transmission Failure (PE23016) — opened Sep 27, 2023, closed Jan 10, 2025.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

6L80 transmission has failed @ 109,000 miles. At a stop light, in drive, vehicle would not move in drive or reverse. After switching back and forth transmission finally started to work and was able to limp to a dealership. Did not realize how big this issue is with this transmission until mine…

Power Train · received Aug 29, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11683975

I test drove the vehicle i purchased in the penske parking lot. I was not able to take it to the freeway. Vehicle felt fine, engine looked good, rear tires were worn, but i was told they conformed to dot standards. After the purchase i started to drive it home. When i got on the freeway, i could…

Steering · received Apr 15, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11408196

Occurs intermittently while driving over last 4 months in following order: intermittent death wobble in steering wheel when braking stabletrack dash light came on and brake lights would not turn off. Brake switch at pedal replaced. Brake lights now staying off. Stabletrack dash light came…

Service Brakes · received Oct 19, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11365198

The doors automatically lock but do not always unlock when they should. In the past, a car door would open when the door release was pulled, regardless if the door was locked. I am concerned about getting out of the vehicle in the event of a fire. I would like the option to turn off the auto lock…

Unknown or Other · received Jul 15, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11231878

In 2004 i purchased a new chevy van. In 2006 my light switch wiring harness melted together and i could not turn my lights off. I paid to get this repaired. In 2008 this same van caught on fire while i was driving. I parked the van, opened the door and got out.safely. The van was a total loss but i…

Electrical System · received Jul 9, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11230521

Other GMC Savana years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Savana?

Owners most often report steering, electronic stability control (esc), service brakes problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 GMC Savana?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 GMC Savana a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Savana model years, the 2016 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.