2016 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 25, 2024 · 6 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sierra years
Not enough data 23rd of 23 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra. That ranks 23rd out of 23 Sierra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (2 complaints, 33%), typically at around 80,190 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.

GMC Sierra
A 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Ultimate in Titanium Rush Metallic. Grey import model from the United States.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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

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Most common 2016 GMC Sierra problems

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

Air Bags2 · ~80,190 mi
Electrical System2 · ~38,500 mi
Steering1 · ~2,000 mi
Suspension1 · ~15,000 mi
Unknown or Other1 · ~500 mi
Visibility1 · ~64,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags233%80,190——
Electrical System233%38,500——
Steering117%2,000——
Suspension117%15,000——
Unknown or Other117%500——
Visibility117%64,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2016, with 2 complaints
2016: 2201622022: 2202222024: 220242

n = 6 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 GMC Sierra recalls (2)

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

Electrical system:softwareFeb 11, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V084000 · 139 vehicles

Problem: Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, 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 15808.

Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveDec 10, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V830000 · 90 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick up trucks manufactured October 13, 2015, to October 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the mounting stud used to secure the air bag sensing and diagnostic Module (SDM) may be incorrectly positioned, and as a result, the SDM housing could fracture.

Risk: If the SDM housing fractures, water may get into SDM causing it to malfunction and hinder the proper deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash, thereby increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015. 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 15794.

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.

Recent owner reports

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

The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would lose automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the negative battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at…

Air Bags · received Oct 25, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11621956

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. The contact stated that while driving at 64 MPH, he crashed head-on with a 350-pound deer. The deer went underneath the vehicle, and the driver ran over it with the passenger front tire. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The air bag warning light…

Air Bags · received May 15, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11588953

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70- 85 mph, the vehicle was shaking. The stability track warning indicator light was illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure…

Suspension · received Aug 11, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11478795

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH with the defroster engaged, she noticed smoke on the rear electric sliding glass window and smelled a burning odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road…

Visibility · received Jan 25, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11448788

Vehicle shakes and vibrates at any speeds above 75 mph.

Unknown or Other · received Mar 30, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10852516

Other GMC Sierra years

← 2015 Sierra · 2017 Sierra →

See all GMC Sierra problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, steering problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 GMC Sierra?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 GMC Sierra a good year?

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