2016 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500.

20152017
Complaints
27
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems

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

#16 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:16,000 mi
#26 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:19,975 mi
#35 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:102,500 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500.

Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
16,000
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
19,975
Engine Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
102,500
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Crank/Camshaft Position Sensor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 GMC Sierra 3500

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~4,582,489 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.

19V088000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
~18,574 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.

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 3500 Years

2016 GMC Sierra 3500 — FAQ

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

Is the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 has 27 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 6 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500?
Top reported problems: Brakes (6 complaints, avg 16,000 mi); Steering Defects (6 complaints, avg 19,975 mi); Engine Problems (5 complaints, avg 102,500 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 3500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 42,844 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,582,489 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 3500?
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 3500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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