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2016 Chevrolet Silverado Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado has 8 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve air bags and steering.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

9.1/ 10

Based on 8 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

AIR BAGS

2 25%

STEERING

1 12.5%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 12.5%

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 12.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 12.5%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 25% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 7 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado

The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado has 8 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 25% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado are AIR BAGS (2), STEERING (1), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 Silverado complaints2015 Silverado complaints2018 Silverado complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 7 of 7 systems

AIR BAGS

2 Reports25% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF NEEDED INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION. DEALER SAYS THERE IS A TSB THAT THE ENTIRE TRUCK HAS TO BE RE-FLASHED INCLUDING ALL MODULES IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DURING THIS TIME, ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS FLASHED AND APPEARED TO BE INACTIVE. AIR BAG, TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, TRAILER BRAKING ETC. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF A RECALL MUST HAPPEN. IF WE GOT IN AN ACCIDENT DURING THIS OCCURRENCE WHO KNOWS IF ANY OF THE SAFETY SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE FUNCTIONING.

4/21/2016

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado HD Crew. The contact stated while driving approximately at 55 mph when the vehicles in front of the contact began to stop abruptly which resulted in the contact crashing the vehicle into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was taken and 2 persons in the contact's vehicle sustained injuries; i.e contact's wife who was a passenger sustained a sprain on the right wrist and right ankle, and whiplash, pain in the right shoulder and neck. The contact sustained pain in the right shoulder and neck. They did not seek medical treatment until a couple of days post-accident. The vehicle was towed to an insurance lot and was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,545.

9/8/2021

STEERING

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I PURCHASED A 2016 SILVERADO 1500 4WD LTZ CREW ON FEBRUARY 08, 2016. ON FEBRUARY 20, 2016 WITH JUST 312 NEW MILES DRIVEN ON THE NEW VEHICLE, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING 60 MILES PER HOUR GOING WEST ON THE SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY MIDDLE LANE IN NASSAU COUNTY NEW YORK. WITH NO POWER STEERING ON A SIX THOUSAND POUND TRUCK, I HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AWAY FROM OTHER VEHICLE ON THE PARKWAY AND EXIT THE PARKWAY WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY CALL FOR ROAD SIDE SERVICED AND THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND RETURN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE CHEVROLET SERVICE DEPARTMENT LOCATED IN VALLEY STREAM, NY STATED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2016 THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC RACK OPINION FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS DEFECTED WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED DURING THE ASSEMBLY BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE 2016 SILVERADO 1500 TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 2/08/2016, AND I HAVE CONCERNS THAT OTHER MECHANICAL PARTS IN THE VEHICLE MAY BE DEFECTED AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

2/24/2016

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

HAS THE CHEVY SHAKES BETWEEN 38 AND 70 MILE PER HOUR .5.3 V8 MOTOR AND 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION 342 REAR AXEL LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL . BEEN SELLING GM'S FOR 55 YEARS AND IF THIS WAS A DEMENSTRATOR WE WOULD NEVER NEVER SELL ANOTHER TRUCK.

3/30/2016

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF NEEDED INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION. DEALER SAYS THERE IS A TSB THAT THE ENTIRE TRUCK HAS TO BE RE-FLASHED INCLUDING ALL MODULES IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DURING THIS TIME, ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS FLASHED AND APPEARED TO BE INACTIVE. AIR BAG, TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, TRAILER BRAKING ETC. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF A RECALL MUST HAPPEN. IF WE GOT IN AN ACCIDENT DURING THIS OCCURRENCE WHO KNOWS IF ANY OF THE SAFETY SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE FUNCTIONING.

4/21/2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF NEEDED INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION. DEALER SAYS THERE IS A TSB THAT THE ENTIRE TRUCK HAS TO BE RE-FLASHED INCLUDING ALL MODULES IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DURING THIS TIME, ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS FLASHED AND APPEARED TO BE INACTIVE. AIR BAG, TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, TRAILER BRAKING ETC. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF A RECALL MUST HAPPEN. IF WE GOT IN AN ACCIDENT DURING THIS OCCURRENCE WHO KNOWS IF ANY OF THE SAFETY SYSTEMS ON THE VEHICLE WERE FUNCTIONING.

4/21/2016

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint

8/7/2024

POWER TRAIN

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint

8/7/2024

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado is AIR BAGS, with 2 owner reports. That is about 25% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include AIR BAGS, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 4 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado severe?

4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Chevrolet Silverado: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
8
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

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