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GMC SavanaModel year report

2016 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,100miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 6.0L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Savana. The part named most often is steering, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and electronic stability control (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,100 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 1,271 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 23 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 34 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Steering: “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 intermittently three times again. Steering wheel off centers itself to left a few degrees. Intermittent death wobble in steering wheel when braking re-occurs. Brakes pulling slightly to left. Brakes stop pulling left. Steering wheel re-centers. Intermittent death wobble ceases in steering wheel when braking.”

NHTSA complaint #11365198, filed 2020-10, 62,000 miles

Electrical system: “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 was safe. In 2017 I purchased a 2016 Gmc van. This van has a feature that automatically locks my doors. The doors do not always unlock when I park this van. I can't understand why I have to have this feature. …”

NHTSA complaint #11230521, filed 2019-07, 20,230 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,300 and 53,900 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–5050%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,100 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20193202020212025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 GMC Savana. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Savana Passenger 2500 · VAN RWDnot rated———3 · 29.2% risk
Savana Passenger 3500 12 Pass · VAN RWDnot rated———3 · 29.2% risk
Savana Passenger 3500 15 Pass · VAN RWDnot rated———3 · 27.9% risk

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 2500 2WD (Passenger)6.0L 8-cyl6-speed automatic111613$5,150
Savana 3500 2WD (Passenger)6.0L 8-cyl6-speed automatic111612$5,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2016 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,271 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,271 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Savana as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2016 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 2016 GMC Savana (Savana 2500 2WD (Passenger), 6.0L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,100 miles and the middle half falls between 20,300 and 53,900 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.