2016 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500.

20152017
Complaints
75
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#114 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:24,494 mi
#210 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:11,000 mi
#310 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:26,554 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500.

Steering Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
24,494
Fuel System
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,000
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,554
Engine Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
7,527
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,333
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Diesel Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 GMC Sierra 2500

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,563,915 vehicles.

21V504000Air Bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
~410,019 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

18V578000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
~42,280 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.

17V437000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Air Bags:frontal
~40,683 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

16V651000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive · Air Bags:frontal
~3,640,162 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

16V069000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
~430,771 affected

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.

Other GMC Sierra 2500 Years

2016 GMC Sierra 2500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 has 75 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 14 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (14 complaints, avg 24,494 mi); Fuel System (10 complaints, avg 11,000 mi); Brakes (10 complaints, avg 26,554 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 18,571 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 include 2 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,563,915 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 2500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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