2016 GMC Savana Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2016 GMC Savana has 12 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve steering and service brakes.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 12 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
STEERING
3 25%
SERVICE BRAKES
2 16.7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 16.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 8.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 8.3%
Quick Insights
The top category is STEERING, accounting for 25% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 8 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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What owners keep reporting on the 2016 GMC Savana
The 2016 GMC Savana has 12 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING 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 GMC Savana are STEERING (3), SERVICE BRAKES (2), ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 7 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 GMC Savana?
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.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 8 of 8 systems
STEERING
3 Reports25% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SAVANA. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED ON, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK CHEVROLET BUICK (1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STABILITRAC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING POSITION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-529-6763906. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,900.
6/13/2019
OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST 4 MONTHS IN FOLLOWING ORDER: INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH AT PEDAL REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOW STAYING OFF. STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERS ITSELF TO LEFT A FEW DEGREES. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING RE-OCCURS. BRAKES PULLING SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. BRAKES STOP PULLING LEFT. STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERS. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE CEASES IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.
10/19/2020
SERVICE BRAKES
2 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SAVANA. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED ON, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK CHEVROLET BUICK (1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STABILITRAC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING POSITION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-529-6763906. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,900.
6/13/2019
OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST 4 MONTHS IN FOLLOWING ORDER: INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH AT PEDAL REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOW STAYING OFF. STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERS ITSELF TO LEFT A FEW DEGREES. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING RE-OCCURS. BRAKES PULLING SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. BRAKES STOP PULLING LEFT. STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERS. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE CEASES IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.
10/19/2020
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SAVANA. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED ON, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK CHEVROLET BUICK (1193 W SAGINAW RD, VASSAR, MI 48768, (989) 823-8523) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SWITCH FOR THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STABILITRAC INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING POSITION SENSORS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-529-6763906. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,900.
6/13/2019
OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING OVER LAST 4 MONTHS IN FOLLOWING ORDER: INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF. BRAKE SWITCH AT PEDAL REPLACED. BRAKE LIGHTS NOW STAYING OFF. STABLETRACK DASH LIGHT CAME INTERMITTENTLY THREE TIMES AGAIN. STEERING WHEEL OFF CENTERS ITSELF TO LEFT A FEW DEGREES. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING RE-OCCURS. BRAKES PULLING SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. BRAKES STOP PULLING LEFT. STEERING WHEEL RE-CENTERS. INTERMITTENT DEATH WOBBLE CEASES IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN BRAKING.
10/19/2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 Report8% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
IN 2004 I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVY VAN. IN 2006 MY LIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS MELTED TOGETHER AND I COULD NOT TURN MY LIGHTS OFF. I PAID TO GET THIS REPAIRED. IN 2008 THIS SAME VAN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I PARKED THE VAN, OPENED THE DOOR AND GOT OUT.SAFELY. THE VAN WAS A TOTAL LOSS BUT I WAS SAFE. IN 2017 I PURCHASED A 2016 GMC VAN. THIS VAN HAS A FEATURE THAT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS MY DOORS. THE DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK WHEN I PARK THIS VAN. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE TO HAVE THIS FEATURE. I WAS ABLE TO EGRESS MY OLD VEHICLE THAT CAUGHT FIRE BUT I MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SAME LUCK WITH THIS AUTOMATION FEATURE THAT LOCKS MY DOORS AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS FILLING WITH SMOKE. I KEEP THINKING WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN CAR SEATS AND THE DOORS DID NOT UNLOCK. I THINK THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A USELESS FEATURE BUT A DANGEROUS ONE. I SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO TURN OFF THIS AUTO LOCK FEATURE JUST AS I CAN WITH THE PASSENGER AIR BAG.
7/9/2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 Report8% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BUT DO NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK WHEN THEY SHOULD. IN THE PAST, A CAR DOOR WOULD OPEN WHEN THE DOOR RELEASE WAS PULLED, REGARDLESS IF THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THE OPTION TO TURN OFF THE AUTO LOCK FEATURE.
7/15/2019
SUSPENSION
1 Report8% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED IN THE PENSKE PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE FELT FINE, ENGINE LOOKED GOOD, REAR TIRES WERE WORN, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY CONFORMED TO DOT STANDARDS. AFTER THE PURCHASE I STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH OUT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. THE TRUCK ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRUCK NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PENSKE GIVES A 15 DAY PERIOD WHEN THEY WILL REPAIR DAMAGE YOU HAVE FOUND. I ARRANGED WITH ALYSE, THE GIRL THAT WORKS FOR PENSKE SALES IN PENNSYLVANIA. SHE HAD ME BRING THE TRUCK TO CORONA RENTAL AND REPAIR CENTER. I PICKED THE TRUCK UP ON THE 15TH OF MARCH AND BROUGHT IT TO PENSKE FOR REPAIRS ON THE FRIDAY, 19, MARCH 2021. I CALLED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, AND TALKED TO YEISEN DELGADO, THE SALES REP WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM. HE SAID THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND DENIED IT WITH VIGOR. I COULD SEE I WAS NOT GOING TO GET MY TRUCK REPAIRED. I WENT TO VIEW THE TRUCK THE NEXT WEEK, AND WAS MET BY VICTOR, THE REPAIR MECHANIC SUPERVISOR. HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE MANY PICTURES. THEY HAD DRAWN AN ARROW INDICATING THE DAMAGE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE WAS AL LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD. I HAD POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK FOR 4 OR 5 DAYS. I HAD A CARFAX REPORT AND IT CLEARLY SAID NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE REPORTED. SO, I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THEM TO REPAIR THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FIXING NOW. BUT, I HAVE PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT WAS CERTIFIED PROVEN TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. I COULD NOT USE IT TO DRIVE MY HOME FURNITURE/GOODS THE 1347 MILES TO MY NEW HOME. PHOTO'S SHOW THE RUST ON THE RAMPAGED PARTS ARE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD.
4/15/2021
WHEELS
1 Report8% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE I PURCHASED IN THE PENSKE PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE FREEWAY. VEHICLE FELT FINE, ENGINE LOOKED GOOD, REAR TIRES WERE WORN, BUT I WAS TOLD THEY CONFORMED TO DOT STANDARDS. AFTER THE PURCHASE I STARTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOUR WITH OUT SEVERE VIBRATIONS. THE TRUCK ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS OBVIOUS THE TRUCK NEEDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. PENSKE GIVES A 15 DAY PERIOD WHEN THEY WILL REPAIR DAMAGE YOU HAVE FOUND. I ARRANGED WITH ALYSE, THE GIRL THAT WORKS FOR PENSKE SALES IN PENNSYLVANIA. SHE HAD ME BRING THE TRUCK TO CORONA RENTAL AND REPAIR CENTER. I PICKED THE TRUCK UP ON THE 15TH OF MARCH AND BROUGHT IT TO PENSKE FOR REPAIRS ON THE FRIDAY, 19, MARCH 2021. I CALLED THE FOLLOWING WEEK, AND TALKED TO YEISEN DELGADO, THE SALES REP WHERE THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED FROM. HE SAID THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND DENIED IT WITH VIGOR. I COULD SEE I WAS NOT GOING TO GET MY TRUCK REPAIRED. I WENT TO VIEW THE TRUCK THE NEXT WEEK, AND WAS MET BY VICTOR, THE REPAIR MECHANIC SUPERVISOR. HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE MANY PICTURES. THEY HAD DRAWN AN ARROW INDICATING THE DAMAGE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THE DAMAGE WAS AL LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD. I HAD POSSESSION OF THE TRUCK FOR 4 OR 5 DAYS. I HAD A CARFAX REPORT AND IT CLEARLY SAID NO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE REPORTED. SO, I PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THEM TO REPAIR THE TRUCK. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FIXING NOW. BUT, I HAVE PURCHASED A TRUCK THAT WAS CERTIFIED PROVEN TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. I COULD NOT USE IT TO DRIVE MY HOME FURNITURE/GOODS THE 1347 MILES TO MY NEW HOME. PHOTO'S SHOW THE RUST ON THE RAMPAGED PARTS ARE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS OLD.
4/15/2021
POWER TRAIN
1 Report8% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
6L80 transmission has failed @ 109,000 miles. At a stop light, in drive, vehicle would not move in drive or reverse. After switching back and forth transmission finally started to work and was able to limp to a dealership. Did not realize how big this issue is with this transmission until mine failed prematurely. I thank God that mine happened at a stop light and not when trying to accelerate at a say a stop sign where I need to cross multiple lanes of traffic. I would have been a sitting duck in the middle of oncoming traffic.
8/29/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Savana?
Are complaints about the 2016 GMC Savana a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 GMC Savana?
Are complaints about the 2016 GMC Savana severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
GMC Savana: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 12
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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