GMC SIERRA 2500 · model year

2016 GMC SIERRA 2500

74 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016GMCSIERRA 2500 carries 74 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 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 SIERRA 2500 is steering with 14 filings, followed by service brakes (10) and fuel/propulsion system (10). 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 2 investigation files overlapping the 2016 SIERRA 2500. 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.

74
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 3.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

74 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 - Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING14
SERVICE BRAKES10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
ENGINE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
AIR BAGS3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
SEAT BELTS2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
POWER TRAIN1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1

Recalls (5)

18V57800030/08/2018

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.

17V43700010/07/2017

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

16V65100008/09/2016

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

16V06900005/02/2016

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

21V50400001/07/2021

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.

Recent Complaints

20250802FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CP4 injection pump failure while driving nearly causing vehicle collision.

20250619FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The CP4 pump failed while driving causing vehicle to stall. Upon failure, lost power to steering. Luckily we were on an access road for a rest area and not yet on the interstate. This resulted in a 14.5 thousand repair. No prior warning to pump failure. GM has recently settled a class action related to this pumps failure and has never recalled trucks with this pump to avoid failure.

20250610FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My vehicles High Pressure Fuel Pump failed causing the vehicle to shutoff while driving. In addition, due to the engine shutting down while driving, the power steering quit working causing me to not be able to steer the vehicle. Thank you

20250514FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine suffered a complete engine shutdown—an issue that is both hazardous and expensive to repair. Fortunately, mine failed in a parking lot. No warning lights or symptoms were present. Failure is instantaneous and can occur any time rendering the vehicle inoperable on high-speed highways, Intersections, etc. Failure always leaves vehicle occupants stranded, creating an unsafe and dangerous situation. My vehicle was towed to a GMC dealer. Repair costs could be as high as $15,000. The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine is equipped with a Bosch ‘CP4’ high-pressure fuel pump. These pumps are unreasonably fragile and prone to catastrophic failure causing instant contamination of the entire fuel system with metal shavings. General Motors has agreed to pay $35 million to settle with owners following a class action lawsuit that accused the company of installing defective Bosch CP4 high-pressure fuel pumps in certain Chevro

20250514ENGINE

My 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine suffered a complete engine shutdown—an issue that is both hazardous and expensive to repair. Fortunately, mine failed in a parking lot. No warning lights or symptoms were present. Failure is instantaneous and can occur any time rendering the vehicle inoperable on high-speed highways, Intersections, etc. Failure always leaves vehicle occupants stranded, creating an unsafe and dangerous situation. My vehicle was towed to a GMC dealer. Repair costs could be as high as $15,000. The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine is equipped with a Bosch ‘CP4’ high-pressure fuel pump. These pumps are unreasonably fragile and prone to catastrophic failure causing instant contamination of the entire fuel system with metal shavings. General Motors has agreed to pay $35 million to settle with owners following a class action lawsuit that accused the company of installing defective Bosch CP4 high-pressure fuel pumps in certain Chevro

20250503ENGINE

Motor stopped dead while driving on a local Interstate Hwy. Was able to negotiate the truck out of traffic without crashing. Not an easy thing to do in speeding rush hour traffic. Had the truck towed to a reputable repair shop and discovered the CP4 fuel pump had failed and shattered throughout the fuel system. Repairs in the amount of $13,520.30 incurred to get the truck back in service. The attached invoice includes $167.87 for other maintenance not related to the CP4 fuel pump repair. This is a known problem and safely hazard. A class action suit settlement is related to the CP4 fuel pump against multiple truck manufacturers. # [XXX] and can be found at [XXX] . Minnesota is not included in the class action and GM will not address my complaint. Why has this KNOWN safety issue not resulted in a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20250503FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Motor stopped dead while driving on a local Interstate Hwy. Was able to negotiate the truck out of traffic without crashing. Not an easy thing to do in speeding rush hour traffic. Had the truck towed to a reputable repair shop and discovered the CP4 fuel pump had failed and shattered throughout the fuel system. Repairs in the amount of $13,520.30 incurred to get the truck back in service. The attached invoice includes $167.87 for other maintenance not related to the CP4 fuel pump repair. This is a known problem and safely hazard. A class action suit settlement is related to the CP4 fuel pump against multiple truck manufacturers. # [XXX] and can be found at [XXX] . Minnesota is not included in the class action and GM will not address my complaint. Why has this KNOWN safety issue not resulted in a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20240824FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My high pressure fuel pump, cp4, went out with no warning while driving causing me to lose power. Was able to bring truck to stop safely but was stuck in middle of roadway.

20240524FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, an alert of "50% fuel range remaining" message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated afterwards while attempting to make a right turn the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who advised contact the fuel pump needed to be replaced due to metal fragments entering the oil tank. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20240223ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2016 GMC SIERRA SHARK FIN ANTENNA GETS WATER UNDER AND DESTROYS ONSTAR, NAVIGATION, AND COMPASS OPERATION. THIS IS RECALLED IN 2015 BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE 2016 THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

20230720ENGINE

Vehicle is a Duramax Diesel engine with a CP4 fuel pump. The pump went out and the entire line/system has to be replaced. While driving the vehicle it lurched, made a noise then went to reduced power mode and shut off. Luckily we had just pulled off from a stop sign, if that happened and the speed of 55 it could of been far worse. Then engine would not restart and had to have vehicle towed.

20230720FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel system failure

20230711SERVICE BRAKES

Trailer brake system continues to pop up “service.”

20230524WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while refueling, he became aware that the front passenger's side wheel bearing was missing the nut and washers. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal jingling sound while driving at approximately 20-30 MPH. The contact, an independent mechanic, replaced one nut and three washers on the front passenger's side wheel bearing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

20230123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I remote started my truck yesterday morning to get it warmed up before loading my family. They all then got into the truck, my 5 year old and 8 year old in the back seat in booster seats. I threw in some more bags into the back of the truck and started to climb into the truck. As I did that my kids were starting to get nervous and my wife was pointing and stating that the rear window slider was smoking. I put the key into the ignition and turned the key on. Upon doing that the smoke stopped but a few seconds later there was a loud bang, similar to a gun shot, and the rear passenger side window shattered. My 8 year old had glass hit her and my 5 year old was hysterical. Needless to say, the 5 hour drive home was not much fun for anyone after that occured.

20230123VISIBILITY/WIPER

I remote started my truck yesterday morning to get it warmed up before loading my family. They all then got into the truck, my 5 year old and 8 year old in the back seat in booster seats. I threw in some more bags into the back of the truck and started to climb into the truck. As I did that my kids were starting to get nervous and my wife was pointing and stating that the rear window slider was smoking. I put the key into the ignition and turned the key on. Upon doing that the smoke stopped but a few seconds later there was a loud bang, similar to a gun shot, and the rear passenger side window shattered. My 8 year old had glass hit her and my 5 year old was hysterical. Needless to say, the 5 hour drive home was not much fun for anyone after that occured.

20230106SERVICE BRAKES

I am receiving an on-and-off “Service Trailer Brake System” when towing and sometimes when not towing. Checked every component and alert does not stop. When this happens while I’m towing, trailer brakes stop working momentarily.

20230106ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am receiving an on-and-off “Service Trailer Brake System” when towing and sometimes when not towing. Checked every component and alert does not stop. When this happens while I’m towing, trailer brakes stop working momentarily.

20221202FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled inadvertently, almost causing a crash. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to veer to the side of the road by dodging traffic. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had exploded and projected metal fragments throughout the high-pressure fuel system. The vehicle was repaired at the owner’s expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a partial reimbursement would be made. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Mileage: 114,000

20221114ENGINE

While Pulling 35' 5th Wheel down freeway, a message appeared in instrument panel telling me the fuel filter was at 0 percent and was going into low power mode. There happend to be an offramp there that I was able to get off the freeway. While making the turn on the offramp the truck died. I pulled over as far as i could whie coasting with no power steering or brakes, leaving truck & trailer partially blocking the offramp. Unable to start the vehicle, I Immediatly contacted Onstar and they dispatched the CHP & tow truck. When CHP arrived he asked when tow truck would be there. Without being able to confirm exactly, and due to safety concerns because of blocking the offramp, he called his own tow truck (Rons Towing) and forced me to move vehicle to safe location. The issue ended up being the injector fuel pump (CP4) that GM was well aware of going out and sending metal fragments throughout the fuel system. I've been told the pump was made in China and not to GM standards. The vehic

Compare 2016GMCSIERRA 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 have?
The 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 has 74 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500?
The 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500?
Yes, the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 is STEERING with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.
Is the 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 GMC SIERRA 2500 has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.