2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 12%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 27,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 12% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving vehicle ABS and skid warning lights appears, brake system warning appears always lit while in towing mode. None stop beeping. No reason why this is happening. Had vehicle checked by multiple Chevrolet dealerships and they have changed sensors, towing plug twice, electrical rewiring. Began towing 1 hour after repairs and the same problems began all over again. No changes have been noticed $2700.00 later”
NHTSA complaint #11039430, filed 2017-10, 75,000 miles“Driving my truck, without a trailer, the Service Trailer Brakes Soon fault came on my truck. This is a known problem that GM is aware of with their ITBC system for YEARS & have done selective recalls for. This a hazard to the motoring public. There is no warning when this fault happens while pulling a trailer & when it does pop up, you lose all trailer brakes. I had the same problem with my 2010 Silverado, after numerous visits to the dealership & thousands of dollars & filed complaints with GM & NHTSA, nothing was done. …”
NHTSA complaint #11436323, filed 2021-10“Serpentine belt broke . I have it available. Recommended service is 150k miles or 10 years . It broke at 55k and 5 years. Lost brake and steering assist. Almost impossible to stop or turn vehicle. It is a diesel and uses hydraulic assist. Dealer replaced belt could not determine cause of problem. Has not been inspected. No warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11423931, filed 2021-07“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500. While driving approximately 70 MPH hauling a goose neck flatbed duel tandem trailer, the power bus bar shorted. In addition, there was a failure with a loose wire associated with the starter. The radio would not turn off and the contact was locked in the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer tightened the wires and replaced all of the bus bars. The next morning, within less than 20 miles, the bus bars failed again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10909332, filed 2016-09, 4,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017207Mar 21, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 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.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012929Jan 7, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11012027Dec 18, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that are found to have a back-up alarm inoperative during the Pre-Delivery…
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 33% |
| 2024 | 19 | 37% |
| 2023 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 5 | 19% |
| 2021 | 13 | 32% |
| 2020 | 5 | 12% |
| 2019 | 5 | 23% |
| 2018 | 3 | 16% |
| 2017 | 1 | 8% |
| 2016 | 6 | 12% |
| 2015 | 16 | 31% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2013 | 4 | 15% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% |
| 2008 | 6 | 19% |
| 2007 | 2 | 5% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 9 | 20% |
| 2004 | 4 | 10% |
| 2003 | 6 | 14% |
| 2002 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 2 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
15 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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