2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/04/2026

Vehicle suffered a failure cascade of the brake booster vacuum pump system. During a low-speed bumper collision on July 4 and a boat ramp slide, the pedal triggered abnormal ABS-like pulsing as the computer tried to hydraulically compensate for dropping vacuum pressure. This resulted in truck front bumper damage and boat trailer fender damage. On July 10, total failure occurred in a drive-thru, rendering the pedal rock-hard and sopping mear impossible. All marked parts and logs are available for inspection. Onboard diagnostic data reveals the electronic brake control module has driven continuously without a master clear for 22,665 miles, locking the last system initialization to 78,468 miles. This continuous data loop proves code C0299-00 was actively visible in the history log during the subsequent dealer service visits. Instead of performing the hardware pump remedy under Recall N192268490 (NHTSA 19V650). At the Jan 24 dealer visit (78,482 mi), dealer applied a software update and charged out-of-pocket fees to clear symptoms. They also ignored subsequent communication regarding the billing discrepancy. Technicians completely neglected the history logs despite explicit complaints regarding low-speed ABS sensations, trailer brake messages, park assist, and brake assist warnings. The 2026 dealers (and 2024) falsified multipoint inspections stating brakes required NO service until after winter. Jan '26 dealer delayed further diagnostics until June '26. May '26 dealer ignored texts regarding a crooked steering wheel and unstable tracking after alignment service. The truck was intentionally misdiagnosed as functional to avoid the warranty period repair. This unaddressed mechanical failure caused a destructive system cascade requiring replacement of the vacuum pump, oil-contaminated vacuum lines lines, oil-saturated booster, master cylinder, glazed pads, warped rotors, fluid flush, tires from module drag, alongside the resulting bumper and trailer property damage.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/29/2026

Rear power window defrost thermal event. While rear defrost was on the plastic connector that goes to the rear defrost of the power rear sliding window began to smoke heavily. In 2020 there was recall number N192265660 for the 1500 series of the same year for the same component that failed and is a fire risk. 2500 had no recall but this vehicle contains the same product and poses the same fire risk as the 1500.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 11/11/2025

I was a front seat passenger in a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and was properly wearing my seatbelt at the time of the incident. The vehicle struck a deer, and during the collision, the passenger seatbelt failed to properly restrain me. I was thrown forward and struck the windshield. The seatbelt did not appear to lock or tighten as expected during impact. It is unknown whether the seatbelt pretensioner or airbag system activated properly. This created a serious safety risk, as the seatbelt did not perform its intended function of restraining the occupant during a crash. The vehicle was declared a total loss following the incident and is no longer available for inspection. The incident was documented through insurance and/or police reports. There were no known warning lights or prior indications of a problem with the seatbelt system before the crash. This failure resulted in occupant injury risk due to lack of proper restraint during the collision.

VISIBILITY — Filed 12/14/2025

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the rear sliding glass defroster element overheated. The contact was unsure but thought that the defroster had activated independently. The contact stated that the heating element had caught fire, burned a hole through the weather stripping, and shattered the rear sliding glass. The contact extinguished the fire with a can of soda. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/19/2019

I was pulling up behind a vehicle that was entering the highway when I noticed that the driver had to yield to oncoming traffic and did not continue driving. I applied my brakes, but the vehicle did not come to a complete stop, and as a result, I struck the vehicle in front of me. My safety was put at risk, as this could have resulted in a major accident. Additionally, my car insurance premiums increased because of this incident. I was never informed about the recall, nor did I receive any phone calls or mail notifications regarding it. I only became aware of the recall recently after seeing posts on social media, which prompted me to contact my dealership. Upon doing so, I was advised that my vehicle does in fact have an active recall. I don't have any warning lamps or anything advising me of this issue.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/15/2025

There is a recall (N182202780) for certain models of gm apparently, but my truck does not fall under the recall though it is the same exact problem with the brake vacuum. When pumping my brake pedal, my brakes become almost non responsive, causing me to back into my secondary vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 03/04/2023

3mos ago i had a fender bender in Mesa,AZ(my front end to pasenger side)her car was towed my wasn't for the next 28 days my truck was still driving just fine like nothing ever happened to it,at the end of the month my work was done so i drove bk to Cali and it was till the middle of April when this all started 2 months ago like normal I was getting an oil change from there I went home it was 5:30pm didn't go anywhere else that night ,the next morning I put my key into the ignition and it was completely dead, at first I thought it was the battery so I bought a new one, installed the new battery went on my way to run my errands 3hrs pass came home it was around 12:40pm,around 5:30pm I was planning on going to the grocery store went to start my truck wouldn't start truck battery was dead, nothing was left on no door was open no lights were on, so I towed it to my mechanic so he could put it on the scope to find out the general problem,called and told me that it was an electrical problem and my truck would have to be reprogram starting from the main chip in my transmission, going back in forth from my mechanic to the Chevrolet dealer in Victorville ca, it's still not in working condition yet and still trying to reprogram the last of these codes that keep appearing on the dash(2016 Chevy Silverado 6cyl 4door LT, never had any problems at all from the day I got it from the dealer back in 2019 of Mar, with reg oil changes, tune ups, ran like a brand new truck, very confused, upset, concerned about this matter, not to mention the cost for this, Sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/24/2023

I was involved in a head on collision. The other vehicle struck me doing between 35-40mph. My vehicle airbags did not deploy.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/18/2022

I had brakes fixed from recall But they were not properly fixed they gave out on me again barely going 5 miles an hour I hit the back of some one They still are not working properly.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 12/14/2022

Rear Defroster malfunction. After starting the vehicle smoke was coming from the rear cab of my truck in the area that the power sliding window meets the rest of the rear window. In the same area, one of the metal strips for the defroster was glowing red hot. Seconds later the rear window shattered within inches of my face. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the defroster malfunctioning. The vehicle is yet to be disabled and the dealer refuses to look at the vehicle until the rear window is fixed. There are messages and recalls from the manufacturer for this issue on the same year make and model as my vehicle but for some reason my trucks vin number is not associated with that recall.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/31/2022

Remote started my vehicle in the morning, made it about a mile down the road, and the center console started fire. Looks to be the wiring/wireless charger on top of the console. Zero warning lamps or warning labels. Safely made it to the side of the road after getting out of traffic, but inhaled quite a bit of white, bitter smoke.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 05/02/2022

Rear defroster where power sliding window meets started smoking while defroster was in use. Reference TSB# n192265660 rear window defroster thermal events . This is a replica of that issue, but have thus far been told by GM corporate that vehicle is not eligible under the released customer satisfaction program.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/24/2022

I have tooken my 2016 Silverado 5.3 that I bought brand new 4 times to get fixed for a brake recall, it is still not fixed even though in their records it’s fixed, I have had several near misses but I am always ready with the e brake. The brakes get super hard out of no where and I can’t brake at all. Recently I hit 2 vehicles because of this recall. I was backing out of my home and when I tried to brake I hit a car parked in the side of the road, if they would’ve been in the car I would’ve killed the owner of the vehicle for sure. I put it in drive to get out of her car and the brake didn’t work again and crashed into the vehicle in front of me again because of the brake recall. I was injured both time and I am paying for these peoples cars and other stuff. I have been talking to several lawyers just haven’t decided which one I am going to go with. I am scared for my life to drive that truck now and it is sacred to me and my family as my dad died from COVID and it was his truck

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/27/2021

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.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/29/2021

1) Brake system, yes. 2) The vehicle did not stop when the brake pedal was depressed (known issue with GM). 3) Yes, GM provided an independent investigator and confirmed the brake system failure. 4) Yes. 5) No. On May 29, 2021, at approximately 9:35 AM, I was traveling Northbound on Interstate 5 and exiting the freeway on Highway 46. As I exited the freeway, there was slow moving traffic, I began to brake and experienced no braking at all and the ABS kicked in. At that time, I was traveling at approximately 10 miles an hour when the impact accorded with the vehicle in front of me.

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/22/2020

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET AS IT TRAVELLED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND DECELERATED IN SPEED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR-END A VEHICLE, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THAT VEHICLE TO REAR-END A VEHICLE AS WELL. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND NO MEDICAL TREATMENT ACQUIRED. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TOW YARD, WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE DAMAGES AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V578000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 16V069000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *DT

SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/13/2021

PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT WORK AT LOW SPEED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE TO BACKUP I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY HARD. I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD AND WOULDN'T STOP. WHEN HIT THE FENCE THE TRUCK FINALLY STOPPED. CALLED THE DEARLER WHERE I GOT THE TRUCK, THEY SAID THERE'S A RECALL AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THAT WASN'T GOING TO FIX IT. 2019 I TOOK THE TRUCK IN @ 60,000 MILES, THEY DID A REPROGRAM AND SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANY THING ELSE UNLESS THERE WAS ANOTHER BRAKE RECALL. THE BAD THING ABOUT THIS WHOLE BRAKE PROBLEM IS GM KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WON'T FIX IT. GM HAS AND WILL FIX THE PROBLEM IF YOU PAY 12 TO 1,600 DOLLARS. SINCE THEY DID THE REPROGRAM I HAVE 80, 000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND AT LOW SPEED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IN PARKING LOTS THE BRAKE IS VERY HARD AND THE ABS SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE. SAME PROBLEM DIFFERENT DAY. I NEED NEW BOMBERS NOW. I GUESS GM IS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO GET HURT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/19/2020

I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROST TO THE VEHICLE. WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS, I SAW SMOKE RISING FROM THE CENTER PART OF THE REAR WINDOW AS IF THE DEFROSTER HAD STARTED A FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE REAR DEFROST OFF AND THE SMOKE CEASED. WITHIN A MATER OF SECONDS, THE RIGHT PANEL OF THE REAR WINDOW POPPED VERY LOUDLY AS IT SHATTERED, PRESUMABLY FROM THE FIRE. I WAS DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I DO HAVE A POWER REAR WINDOW ON THE VEHICLE AND THERE IS A RECALL ALREADY IN CANADA FOR CHEVROLET SILVERADO'S OF MY MODEL YEAR WITH THE REAR POWER WINDOW HAVING FIRES STARTED BY THE REAR DEFROSTER.

STEERING — Filed 07/28/2020

POWER STEERING LOST TEMPORARILY, LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF FAST AND VEHICLE DASH WENT BLACK AND TRUCK DIED WHILE TURNING CAUSING ME TO HIT A CAR. MOVING ABOUT 5 TO 10 MPH

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/14/2018

I OWEN CHEVY 1500 2016. I RECEIVED RECALL ON THE TRUCK WHEN SAW IT I WAS SURPRISED DO TOO I GOT TO TWO CAR ACCIDENT BEFORE I RECEIVE THE RECALL. AFTER CONTACTING GM MOTOR THEY SAID THE IS THE SOFTWARE NEED UPDATE HOWEVER IT DIDN'T END THERE STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND GM DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT OF THE TWO ACCIDENT.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/29/2020

APPROACHING INTERSECTION STOP LIGHT, TRIED TO APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR NO BRAKES AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WAS FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP BUT STILL HAD COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP REVIEWED THE BRAKES IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLT WAS MISSING WHICH ALLOWED THE CALIPER TO ROTATE OFF OF THE ROTOR AND CLEAR THE PISTON FROM THE ROTOR SURFACE AND THEN THE PISTON WAS FORCED OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESULTED.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/17/2020

TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE BRAKE ISSUE RECALL BECAUSE I WAS EXPERIENCING LOSS OF BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS. I WOULD PRIMARILY SEE THIS WHEN STUCK IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC OR BACKING MY TRUCK UP TO THE TRAILER.....ETC. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL WHICH THEY SUPPOSEDLY PERFORMED AND FIXED. WELL 2 MONTHS LATER I AM STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE THE OTHER DAY AND IT WOULDN'T STOP WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT MY DIRT BIKES SITTING IN FRONT OF ME. ANOTHER TIME I WAS PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND CAME TO COMPLETE STOP THEN I LET OFF THE BRAKES AND THEN PRESSED THEM AGAIN AND WHEN I DID THIS I HAD TO MASH IT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ABS WERE LOCKING UP OR MAKING A NOISE. I CAME SO CLOSE TO HITTING A PEDESTRIAN IN THE CROSS WALK. SO IN ALL SINCE THE "FIX" 2 MONTHS AGO I HAVE HAD THEM FAIL AND HIT SOMETHING IN MY GARAGE, AND 2 VERY CLOSE CALLS OF ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR PERSON. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SINCE ABOUT 15K MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND CURRENTLY I HAVE 55K ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN VERY RANDOMLY AS IN I COULD DO THE SAME THING AGAIN (PULL INTO GARAGE) AND IT WORKS FINE ONE TIME THEN THE NEXT NOT WORK AT ALL.

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/16/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO REPSOND ALONG WITH LOSS OF POWER STERRING. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SIDESWIPE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO EVERETT CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (161 US HWY 70 SE, HICKORY, NC 28602, (828) 393-0876) WHERE IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND FRONT BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY SENT AN ADJUSTER TO THE DEALER WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE WITH NEEDING COSMETIC REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V761000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. *DL PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/20/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A SIGN POST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOU BACHRODT AUTOMALL (815-332-3000, LOCATED AT 7070 CHERRYVALE N. BLVD, ROCKFORD, IL 61112), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V645000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR MAY NOT RESOLVE THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/22/2019

FIRST OFF THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON ME A BUNCH OF TIMES. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER BEFORE THE RECALLS STARTED AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE CAUSING TWO LOW SPEED ACCIDENTS WITH NO DAMAGE BUT SCARY. NOTE I HAVE TWO KIDS IN THE CAR. BEEN IN FOR MULTIPLE RECALLS. ONE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN A DRIVE THRU AND ONE IN MY DRIVEWAY. BOTH WERE FRONT END COLLISIONS BUT NO DAMAGE. SECOND THE TRUCK SHAKES AT HIGHER SPEEDS.STARTING AT 24MPH UP TO 80. MY KIDS TEETH SHATTER IN THE BACK. THAT'S HOW BAD IT IS. DEALERS SAID THERE IS NO FIX FOR THAT SO I STARTED BY RE BALANCING MY TIRES AND AFTER THAT DIDN'T WORK I GOT NEW TIRES. STILL HAVE THE ISSUE AND ITS MORE OF A HEADACHE TO BRING IT INTO THE DEALER CAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT OR CAN'T. CURRENTLY ON 40,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AND ALREADY HAD A MULTITUDE OF ISSUES WITH OIL PUMP FAILURE, STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE TO MOVING HORIZONTAL. SEAT ISSUES THEY COULDN'T FIX SO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRACKET AND BRAKES ARE ONGOING.