2016 GMC Sierra Denali Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 27%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali, 27% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,500 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.
“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 miles“At 44,972 miles I began to experience loss of braking at slow speeds (10-15 MPH) on multiple occasions. The brake pedal lost its spongy feel and felt hard and dead. No matter how much pressure I applied to the brake pedal, my truck continued to roll forward. It was a scary feeling to lose control of the vehicle especially because I had my 10 year old daughter in my truck the first time it happened. I had to depress my emergency brake to bring the vehicle to a stop. I pulled the truck over and turned off and on the ignition and the brake pedal regained its spongy, normal pressure and feel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11191062, filed 2019-03, 44,972 miles“At 38,200 miles, the truck experienced a loss of break pressure while in a parking garage traveling at low speed causing the vehicle to narrowly miss hitting a concrete upright. After realizing there was a break issue, vehicle was able to be carefully moved from the parking garage by coasting on the break. After restarting the vehicle, the first depress of the break seemed to give full pressure, but each subsequent depress gave less and less pressure. Vehicle had to be towed to nearest dealership and is currently awaiting diagnostic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11182193, filed 2019-02, 38,200 miles“Looses brake assistance in parking lot and sometimes on the highway,check engine light comes on with various codes the most common is misfire on startup it happen in different occasions.”
NHTSA complaint #11093803, filed 2018-05Related service bulletins
- 11017173Mar 21, 2025This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
- 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.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This 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.
- 10242252Aug 18, 2023This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 18% |
| 2019 | 8 | 31% |
| 2018 | 4 | 24% |
| 2016 | 8 | 27% |
| 2015 | 7 | 32% |
| 2014 | 4 | 29% |
| 2012 | 2 | 20% |
| 2008 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 2 | 40% |
| 2004 | 5 | 45% |
| 2002 | 10 | 77% |
Other parts of the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali
9 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali
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