2016 GMC Sierra Denali Problems
Compared with other GMC Sierra Denali years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical GMC Sierra Denali year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 8 of its 30 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Transmission and drivetrain (9 complaints, median 37,500 mi).
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 9 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes (8) and steering (6). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 55% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,276 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 133 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 27 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 GMC Sierra Denali model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Brakes8 27%
- Steering6 20%
- Engine3 10%
- Electrical system2 6.7%
- Exterior lighting2 6.7%
- Other or unknown2 6.7%
- Wheels2 6.7%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Truck shifts really hard and is unpredictable. I almost drove through my garage door the other day shifting to drive from reverse. Truck will lunge forward or delay in shifting. There have been a few times I've had to slam on the brakes before I backed into something. I have brought it in 3-4 times for the issue and Gmc won't remedy the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11114476, filed 2018-07, 10,000 milesBrakes: “On several occasions I have had difficulty with the braking system. The braking system becomes unresponsive after pumping the brakes a few times. On several occasions I've had the brake peddle pushed to the floor in an attempt to stop the vehicle. This seems to happen mostly at slow speeds, a good example is when you are in a traffic jam and are primarily using the brakes to edge forward and stop.”
NHTSA complaint #11160788, filed 2018-12, 50,500 milesSteering: “The vehicle has excessive steering play. It is dangerous to drive in icy conditions and can be noticed driving the vehicle straight under all driving conditions on dry or icy pavement. I took it to the dealer and they performed service bulletin work at my expense to fix the problem. The service bulletin and rework involved tightening the steering box backlash screw. The problem was not fixed and still exists. This is a known problem, but my vehicle was not included on the recall list to fix the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11165611, filed 2019-01, 49,900 milesEngine: “My 2016 Gmc sierra 3500 diesel denali has been in the shop 5 times and over 50 days since november 4, 2017 for an emissions issue. On november 4 while driving, I received a check engine light that said to service the exhaust system and a countdown started, reducing the speed of the vehicle by 10 MPH after every 50-75 miles . The vehicle had about 38,700 miles at the time. The error message that the dealership received was p205b reductant tank temperature sensor performance. They replaced the emission reduction tank reservoir and completed a regeneration test. …”
NHTSA complaint #11075339, filed 2018-02, 38,700 milesMileage when problems were reported
55% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,200 and 67,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 1,276 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the GMC Sierra Denali
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11 | 20,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 26 | 5,269 | 0 | — | — | 77 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 17 | 28,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2017 | 15 | 60,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 30 | 48,000 | 0 | — | — | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 22 | 47,800 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 14 | 59,496 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 8 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 10 | 50,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 28 | 65,000 | 0 | — | — | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 10 | 45,284 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 7 | 94,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 18 | 58,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 5 | 61,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 11 | 44,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 13 | 79,315 | 0 | — | 12 | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra Denali model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 9 complaints (30% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali reported?
Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,000 miles and the middle half falls between 38,200 and 67,000 miles; 55% 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.
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.