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BrakesPart report

2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Brakes Problems

Complaints
106about this part
Share
31%of 343 total for the year
Median mileage
44,761miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 106 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 31% of the 343 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,761 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“Lost power brakes when depressing them as I was backing into a parking spot. I had to press repeatedly to get pressure back in the brakes. Luckily stopping in time. It happened again later this evening when I was rolling to a stop at a light. The brakes again lost power and I had to press them repeatedly stop the truck before hitting the car in front of me.”

NHTSA complaint #11170269, filed 2019-01, 46,000 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

“My truck brakes don't work when I am going slowly. I have to push in the brake pedal very hard and it feels like I'm stepping on a rock. The brakes don't work when I am moving slowly(drive through, pulling into parking space, pulling into garage, coming to a stop at an intersection when going slow). It is very scary. I have not hit anything yet, but I feel I will.”

NHTSA complaint #11205758, filed 2019-05, 69,000 miles

“The brakes are very hard to press at low speed more so after I have pressed them a couple times or more while in motion in stop and go traffic . I had a recall for this about a year ago and took it to the dealer to have it fixed but just started experiencing this problem within the last couple of months. Very scary to not have power brakes all of a sudden! The recall obviously does not fix the problem!!”

NHTSA complaint #11388245, filed 2021-01, 78,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202653%
202576%
2024113%
2023173%
2022305%
2021254%
20205511%
201911417%
20184414%
201710830%
201610631%
201522932%
201414419%
201322%
201255%
201162%
201011%
200963%
2008103%
20072510%
20066746%
20055028%
20046732%
200310558%
200212777%
200110877%
200013172%
199910365%
19981831%
19971822%
1996240%

Other parts of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500

Transmission and drivetrain
84 complaints
Electrical system
54 complaints
Engine
39 complaints
Steering
38 complaints
Other or unknown
35 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Seats
7 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 GMC Sierra 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