The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2016 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado is better than average by owner complaints: 406 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 70, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 17 to 20 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 85 YouTube videos about the 2014–2018 Chevy Silverado 1500, 21.9M views. The 2016 is the same truck.
- Heat, A/C & blend door1.9M views
2014-2018 Chevy Silverado A/C Condenser Replacement - Sierra-Tahoe-Yukon-Suburban-EscaladeFalcon's Garage · 504K views · 9 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
2014 Chevy Silverado electrical issues and Stabilitrack issue FIXED!!!!Tony Lester · 369K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical1.1M views
How To Fix 2014+ Silverado Radio Not Working Problem in 1 MinuteBadAssEngineering · 410K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine1.1M views
Misfire - GM Active Fuel Management Deletes Itself - 2015 SilveradoWatch Wes Work · 923K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter913K views
Stop the shuddering on a 2016 GMC Sierra / Silverado with the 8L90 Transmission.737mechanic · 252K views · 5 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition752K views
2014-2018 Sierra/Silverado Flickering or Shutting Off...Ground Issue SOLVED!Hunter Wilson · 253K views · 4 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank716K views
Fuel Pump Replacement 2015 Chevy Silverado in 10 MinutesScience by Gabrawy · 315K views · 4 videos - Lifters, AFM & cam phasers563K views
How to remove the lifters on gmc Sierra or Chevy Silverado 2012-2018 DOD|5.3 head removalJM8686 · 359K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
5 Ways to Bulletproof your 2014 - 2018 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra and Make It More ReliableDustin T · 841K views
2014 Silverado AC Problems (How to Fix)Dustin T · 562K views
Common Problems with Chevy Silverado Sierra Trucks (2014)Dustin T · 484K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 979 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 68K miles on the car (594 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 37K–64K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 18K–89K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 20K–58K miles
Recalls 12
- airbags 2026
The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- airbags 2021
The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
- seat belts 2021
The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and sep…
Show all 12 recalls
- airbags 2020
The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.
- brakes 2019
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
- brakes 2019
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- brakes 2018
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
- seat belts 2018
The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and sep…
- airbags 2017
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.
- airbags 2016
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
- suspension 2016
The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
- brakes 2016
On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 2224 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips,…
- Power Steering Noise or Fluid Leak from Power Steering Pump, Gear or High Pressure Hose During…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake vacuum pump failure2018–2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/RC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/EC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 PU/CC RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Brake pedal becomes rock hard and nearly impossible to stop when driving at low speeds or on an incline
2016 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 11174814
More owner reports
Ts bulletin no.: pit5361b brakes lose vacuum at low speed (eg. Stop/start traffic, fast food drive through lanes). It's as if the engine was turned off while braking. Chevrolet charged $645 to replace vacuum pump.
NHTSA complaint 11113548
At a gas station moving to park, when I pressed the brakes the vehicle wouldn't stop until I pressed very very hard on the brake pedal.
NHTSA complaint 11204628
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 70; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (36%), steering (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado have?
12 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado get?
17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 68,000 miles. The middle report was at 44,000 miles, from 594 complaints.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works