2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 3%of 797 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 3% of the 797 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving, I had the rear defroster on. I smelled burning plastic, so I rolled-down my windows to vent the fumes. About 2 minutes after I rolled them back up I heard a loud 'bang' and saw that my rear windshield, on the passenger side, had completely shattered, with a fist-sized hole right in the middle of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11207431, filed 2019-05, 55,000 miles“Windshield has what looks to be water spots on it cannot be seen when windshield is dry but when moist or raining windshield becomes almost impossible to see through I tried spot remover with no luck Chevrolet refused to aknowledge this was a defect and I eventually paid to replace winshield myself even though I only had truck less than a year I recently traded the vehicle for a 2017 and it has the same issue I am done with Chevrolet!!!! Last one I will own”
NHTSA complaint #11022585, filed 2017-09, 5,500 miles“We are an automobile service center. Our customer dropped their vehicle off on a particularly rainy day. The inside of the glass was covered with thick condensation even though the defroster mode with A/C on was selected. On high speed, there was very little airflow from the vents. Upon lowering the driver's window, the fan speed, noise and flow all increased dramatically. An inspection behind the seats revealed some items but not enough to cover the entire rear of the cab. External inspection found an outlet vent behind the driver's seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10970431, filed 2017-04, 43,670 miles“Rear window shattered unexpectedly. Rear defogger enabled. Noted a burning smell in rear of truck when it happened. Truck has rear power slide window. Driver side panel was the piece that shattered. Truck was parked but had been running for a few minutes. Temperature in mid 20s”
NHTSA complaint #11183951, filed 2019-03, 78,000 miles“Cold weather (25-30 degrees?) on 12/24, so remote started truck and began driving (rear defroster auto starts). Heard slight sizzle noise, but couldn't figure out what it was...then wife (riding in back) heard it get worse, then a little smoke, then rear-window on driver side popped/cracked/shattered (truck has a sliding rear window, so 3 sections). Didn't blow out, but is completely shattered. Taped it to keep pieces from blowing apart. …”
NHTSA complaint #11385463, filed 2020-12, 65,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11006511Jul 31, 2024This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 5 | 2% |
| 2023 | 8 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 1% |
| 2021 | 7 | 1% |
| 2020 | 12 | 2% |
| 2019 | 19 | 2% |
| 2018 | 8 | 2% |
| 2017 | 20 | 3% |
| 2016 | 21 | 3% |
| 2015 | 38 | 3% |
| 2014 | 51 | 4% |
| 2013 | 8 | 3% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 10 | 1% |
| 2006 | 10 | 3% |
| 2005 | 19 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 11 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 1% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 60 | 17% |
| 1997 | 78 | 14% |
| 1996 | 1 | 14% |
| 1994 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
266 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
194 complaintsElectrical system
119 complaintsSteering
110 complaintsOther or unknown
81 complaintsEngine
72 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsWheels
21 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology