Total Complaints
155 filings
CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 · model year
155 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2016CHEVROLETSILVERADO 2500 carries 155 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 SILVERADO 2500 is steering with 46 filings, followed by power train (17) and electrical system (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2016 SILVERADO 2500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
155 filings
Crashes Reported
7 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 46 |
| POWER TRAIN | 17 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 15 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 13 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| ENGINE | 8 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| WHEELS | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 2 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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, Subur
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 Poli
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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 S
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
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.
While driving down the road at 60 mph the roof and side airbags deployed on both sides of the Truck with no collision only driving down the road. The vehicle was inspected by GM and they claiming no defect on their side. However Recall N202324251 Roof Rail Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, for other 2016 Chevy Silverado's 2500 exists. This is large safety issue and wondering if the VIN was missed given this happened for the same recall. GM Allegations department has said they will not pay to fix, but didn't provide the reason for the cause of the airbag deployment.
Had new Western Wideout snowplow (recommended by western) installed by Western dealership on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd with snow plow prep package. Vehicle's Instrument cluster, HVAS, Radio and other electrical systems cut out while operating snowplow. GM is well aware of this issue which has been discussed and documented per GM Service Bulletin No.: PIT5387C (Feb 2016)- PIT5387P (10/17/2024), as well as GM Upfitter Integration UI Bulletin #124k (11/7/2019). Western states the fix for this issue is for GM to supply and install a wiring harness (per the above GM bulletins) GM dealerships as well as GM consumer assistance hotline state that GM part number 84043394 (fitting 2014-2019 vehicles) referenced to in PIT5387 and other bulletins has been discontinued. Therefore GM can not nor will ever be able to obtain or install this wiring harness in the future. GM Upfitter Integration Bulletin #124K instructs to install a different part number 84288774 VYU Snow Low Jumper harness per
Had new Western Wideout snowplow (recommended by western) installed by Western dealership on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd with snow plow prep package. Vehicle's Instrument cluster, HVAS, Radio and other electrical systems cut out while operating snowplow. GM is well aware of this issue which has been discussed and documented per GM Service Bulletin No.: PIT5387C (Feb 2016)- PIT5387P (10/17/2024), as well as GM Upfitter Integration UI Bulletin #124k (11/7/2019). Western states the fix for this issue is for GM to supply and install a wiring harness (per the above GM bulletins) GM dealerships as well as GM consumer assistance hotline state that GM part number 84043394 (fitting 2014-2019 vehicles) referenced to in PIT5387 and other bulletins has been discontinued. Therefore GM can not nor will ever be able to obtain or install this wiring harness in the future. GM Upfitter Integration Bulletin #124K instructs to install a different part number 84288774 VYU Snow Low Jumper harness per
Had new Western Wideout snowplow (recommended by Western) installed by Western dealership on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd with the factory snow plow prep package (RPO VYU). Vehicles instrument cluster, HVAC, Radio and other electrical systems cut out while operating snowplow. GM is well aware of this issue per GM Service Bulleting NO.: PIT5387C (Feb 2016) through PIT5387P (10/17/2024), as well as GM Upfitter Integration UI Bulletin #124K (11/7/2019). All list this specific vehicle. This issue effects snowplows by all manufactures and is not confined to Western. Per the above bulletins published by GM, GM is to supply and install a wiring harness under a unique one time warranty procedure that does not expire with the vehicles base warranty. GM dealerships as well as GM's consumer assistance hotline state that GM part number 84043394 (fitting 2014-2019 vehicles) referenced to in PIT5387C and other bulletins has been discontinued. UP Bulletin 124k refers to and instructs to install
Had new Western Wideout snowplow (recommended by Western) installed by Western dealership on a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500hd with the factory snow plow prep package (RPO VYU). Vehicles instrument cluster, HVAC, Radio and other electrical systems cut out while operating snowplow. GM is well aware of this issue per GM Service Bulleting NO.: PIT5387C (Feb 2016) through PIT5387P (10/17/2024), as well as GM Upfitter Integration UI Bulletin #124K (11/7/2019). All list this specific vehicle. This issue effects snowplows by all manufactures and is not confined to Western. Per the above bulletins published by GM, GM is to supply and install a wiring harness under a unique one time warranty procedure that does not expire with the vehicles base warranty. GM dealerships as well as GM's consumer assistance hotline state that GM part number 84043394 (fitting 2014-2019 vehicles) referenced to in PIT5387C and other bulletins has been discontinued. UP Bulletin 124k refers to and instructs to install
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving 45-55 MPH and hauling a trailer, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was shuddering abnormally, and the wheels locked up for approximately 4-seconds. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard. The thermostat light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was no under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
Tranmission isn't running right and gas and brakes are not working properly. Also fuel pump or relay gets hot shuts off while driving.
Tranmission isn't running right and gas and brakes are not working properly. Also fuel pump or relay gets hot shuts off while driving.
Tranmission isn't running right and gas and brakes are not working properly. Also fuel pump or relay gets hot shuts off while driving.
Transmission was acting funny. Check engine light came on. Took it to a reputable transmission shop who stated it needs a full rebuild due to bad torque converter. $5500. The truck only has 65k mi.
Truck is under 105000 miles and needs a transmission due to a failed torque converter. First starts with erratic speeds in cruise control mode that is unsafe then will not shift into overdrive causing overheating issues.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
Mileage: 146,000
Steering is loose/has play. Vehicle shakes with driving. Steering gear box is leaking. Issue puts myself and others at risk due to the sudden pulling to either side while driving. Vehicle will be inspected in the next week.
Transmission needed rebuild at 108000 miles. Lifter failure in engine which damaged camshaft at 120000 miles. Each costing thousands in dollars of repairs probably close to $10000.
Transmission needed rebuild at 108000 miles. Lifter failure in engine which damaged camshaft at 120000 miles. Each costing thousands in dollars of repairs probably close to $10000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a diagnostic scanner and retrieved DTC: P21DD. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the redundant tank reservoir and module kits were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact used a diagnostic scanner and retrieved DTC: P205B. The vehicle was taken to Abel Chevrolet (280 N Front St, Rio Vista, CA 94571), where the redundant tank assembly was replaced under GM Campaign Number: N192210260. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that he was concerned that the repair was a temporary fix. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Mileage: 32,000
The motor started running bad and within seconds it stopped no other signs or problems
The motor started running bad and within seconds it stopped no other signs or problems
At only 71,000 miles the 6L90 transmission had to be replaced in my Silverado because of slippage in fifth, sixth and heavy metal shaving showing in the pan. I have never plowed with this truck or abused the transmission. I've only towed up to 7,000 lbs which is well within specifications. As I continue to talk with other owners of the 6L90 and various mechanics, it has become evident that this particular transmission has a very high failure rate. Unfortunately the core to the failed transmission has already been returned, but what if something major internally failed that locked up the drivetrain and caused an accident? My mechanic John Portal has replaced several 6L90's with multiple types of failures. The only warning I received from the transmission was an engine light which only appeared after the transmission started to fail.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the instrument cluster intermittently switched between safety features and the radio. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test within the next several days. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to several dealers for diagnostic tests; however, the contact declined the diagnostic test due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.