2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 most often describe brake-pedal problems at low speed — a hard or unresponsive pedal, especially when reversing or parking — along with power steering assist dropping out, electrical faults and transmission shudder or harsh shifting. Many of the brake reports mention the same symptom returning after recall work, and the mileage on those reports clusters in the 35,000–100,000 mile range.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Hard or unresponsive brake pedal at low speed

   • 101 complaints (29%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal becoming very hard to push, or feeling as if power assist has dropped out, while backing up, parking or creeping in stop-and-go traffic. Some say the truck keeps rolling and needs both feet or the parking brake to stop, and a few describe the pedal going soft or to the floor. Several report that the dealer replaced the brake booster pump or performed the brake recall, and that the condition came back within days or months. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 100,000 miles, frequently at very low speed while reversing or parking.

   Recall 19V645000Recall 19V761000

   What to check: On a test drive, stop and reverse repeatedly at walking pace and note whether the pedal stays firm. Ask for service records showing whether the vacuum-pump recall (19V645000) and the brake control module recall (19V761000) were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had it twice now where I push on the brakes and the brakes become soft and the truck won't stop. I nearly rear ended a car this weekend when suddenly the brakes grabbed but now I'm nervous to drive it in fear of causing an accident or injury I think it's something GM should be looking into for a recal for the safety issue it causes”

   NHTSA complaint #11302105, filed 2020-01, 113,000 miles

   “While backing out of a parking space, I lost the ability to depress the brake pedal. It was stuck momentarily. It only move after I stomped on it twice. Afterward, the vehicle would stop, but the brakes were squishy and very easily over applied. Service brake control message is now on the dash. Truck has 42000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11353862, filed 2020-09, 42,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out, sometimes with stalling

   • 39 complaints (11%)
   • median 57,500 mi at 4.3 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe a 'Service Power Steering' or 'Drive with Caution' message, followed by steering that suddenly needs much more effort, often at parking-lot speeds or while turning. Some report the wheel jerking toward center or in the opposite direction, and several say the engine stalled or the dash and radio shut down at the same time. Owners who took the truck in describe dealers unable to reproduce the fault, or recommending a software update or a battery-cable repair. Reported from about 38,000 to 99,000 miles, with several cases while turning at low speed.

   What to check: Check that the power steering assist warning light comes on and clears normally at startup, and ask whether any steering or battery-cable software updates were applied. A scan for stored chassis and body codes before buying is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a warning message on my digital dash display which indicated service power steering and my power steering stopped working completely. It was impossible to steer the vehicle and I had to have the vehicle towed for service. The vehicle was parked at the time the warning came on. The mechanic will be evaluating the vehicle in the morning.”

   NHTSA complaint #11296760, filed 2020-01, 43,000 miles

   “On 02/12/2020, I was turning turning to park in a parking spot at work when the radio and other electrical components shut down, and the steering wheel jerked in the opposite direction. I temporarily loss control of my own steering wheel. This occurred 3 times while trying to park. In addition, a message about stabilitrack appeared. It is well known that GM has recalled over 1,700,000 vehicles with this same power steering issue stating that owners will lose control of the steering wheel, increasing the risk of a crash. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11308796, filed 2020-02, 42,800 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Rear window defroster overheating and glass shattering

   • 26 complaints (8%)
   • median 65,848 mi at 4.8 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners report a burning smell or smoke from the back of the cab, sometimes with sparks, and then the rear power sliding window shattering, usually when the defroster was on — often after a remote start in cold weather. Several say the truck was stationary or barely moving at the time and that the defroster grid appeared to be the source. Complaints describe a dealer or manufacturer declining coverage because the VIN was not included in a customer satisfaction program. Occurs at widely varying mileage, typically in cold weather with the rear defroster active.

   What to check: Inspect the rear window grid for scorched or discolored lines and ask whether the defroster-related customer satisfaction program was applied. Consider whether the rear defroster fuse has been pulled as a precaution.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Drive truck to the store got back home when I shut my door stationary I heard a loud shattering sound it turned out to be my rear window looked online it looks like this is becoming a common occurance called Gmc they said it is all he say she say and no recall is available, if there had been a person in the back seat they would have possibly been injured with the glass exploding”

   NHTSA complaint #11383784, filed 2020-12, 101,000 miles

   “My truck was parked at a business. I started the truck after being inside for about 10 minutes and started to smell an electrical burn/shortening. I turned the truck off, told my wife to get out and I popped the hood. By the time she walked to the back and me to the front, the rear window behind the driver shattered, sending glass inside and outside the vehicle. After opening the doors for a few minutes, the smell was gone, since I work with electronics for work, is normal for the smell. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11311254, filed 2020-02, 28,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Check-engine light, misfire and lifter or camshaft noise

   • 24 complaints (7%)
   • median 83,812 mi at 7.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe a ticking or loud knocking from the engine bay, rough idle, a check-engine light and reduced power or acceleration. Diagnostics in the complaints point to cylinder misfires, spark plugs, fuel injectors, and in several cases failed lifters or a camshaft that dealers said needed replacement. A few reports mention coolant loss or a radiator leak tied to the thermostat. Mostly reported from about 70,000 miles into the 100,000s, with a few lower-mileage exceptions.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking at cold start and check the oil and coolant levels and condition. Ask for a scan of stored misfire codes and whether any engine-related special coverage or bulletin work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle responded at a rapid rate of speed. As a result, the vehicle almost crashed into another vehicle. The contact was concerned for her children safety. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where it was placed on a diagnostic machine indicating code P050D. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11480735, filed 2022-08, 72,727 miles

   “The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact opened the hood and heard a clicking sound. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11618441, filed 2024-10, 136,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, harsh shifts and torque converter

   • 74 complaints (22%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $4,500 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Complaints describe shuddering or vibration while accelerating, hesitation when the pedal is pressed, and harsh or delayed shifts, especially between lower gears. Some owners report a torque converter that failed outright, in one case leaving the truck unable to move, and others describe dealers recommending a fluid flush or torque converter replacement. Owners also note the truck lunging forward after shifting into drive. Appears from roughly 60,000 miles upward, including several reports past 100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at steady light throttle on a slight incline and feel for vibration or shudder, and check for delayed or firm engagement when shifting from park to drive. Ask whether transmission adaptive relearn or a fluid service has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the vehicle home from work, the vehicle shut down in the middle of traffic on a street while stopped at a traffic light and would not move after attempting to put the truck in drive . I had to call for an emergency roadside service (tow truck) which towed the vehicle to a Gmc dealership service dept. I was told by the service technician that the transmission torque converter has disintegrated and it would cost over $5000 to repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11408322, filed 2021-04, 79,000 miles

   “When driving I felt a slight shift between 1 and 2. That seemed pretty normal. While driving to the ocean between 50-60 MPH there was not shifting, sharking or jerking. Once slowing down to 30-40 MPH the rpms go extremely high to 4 or 5. Pulling and jerking the vehicle. Happening around 20-30 MPH or at 40-50. The vehicle will come to a stop causing traffic disruptions and near accidents. No service or coding have been able to diagnose issue with vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11405059, filed 2021-03, 101,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks are common and parts are easy to find, but on a used example prioritize a brake and steering-assist test drive at low speed and a scan for stored codes. Ask for the recall and service history, since several owners report symptoms returning after recall repairs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.