2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Visibility · 106,000 miles · OH · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the rear sliding glass defroster element overheated. The contact was unsure but thought that the defroster had activated independently. The contact stated that the heating element had caught fire, burned a hole through the weather stripping, and shattered the rear sliding glass. The contact extinguished the fire with a can of soda. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2023 · Visibility · 38,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The contact noticed smoke coming from the rear driver's side seat. The contact referenced the failure to TSB: N192265660 (Rear Window Defroster) The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Brakes, Lights · 117,000 miles · NC

At low speeds my brakes stop working. The brake pedal becomes very stiff and I have to use both feet pushing down as hard as I can for the vehicle to stop. Also,the head light switch inside the vehicle does not work. When I turned the dial off of the auto lights I saw smoke coming out from behind the dial.

Filed May 14, 2019 · Visibility · 55,000 miles · OH

While driving, I had the rear defroster on. I smelled burning plastic, so I rolled-down my windows to vent the fumes. About 2 minutes after I rolled them back up I heard a loud 'bang' and saw that my rear windshield, on the passenger side, had completely shattered, with a fist-sized hole right in the middle of it.

Filed Mar 4, 2019 · Visibility · 78,000 miles · WY

Rear window shattered unexpectedly. Rear defogger enabled. Noted a burning smell in rear of truck when it happened. Truck has rear power slide window. Driver side panel was the piece that shattered. Truck was parked but had been running for a few minutes. Temperature in mid 20s

Filed Jan 7, 2019 · Body · 35,000 miles · CT

I was driving to work in the morning with no other traffic on the road and randomly the passenger side rear window blew out. It was winter and the rear defroster was on at the time. I smelled burning wires and shut everything off but my headlights and heard a loud pop when the window blew out. This happened at 4am while driving on the highway.

Filed Dec 22, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 10,000 miles · IN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500. A neighbor alerted the contact that the vehicle was on fire. Upon inspection, the contact noticed flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed. A determination of whether the vehicle was destroyed was not determined. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact that they would need to go through his insurance company. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Jul 27, 2017 · 20,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500. While parked, the vehicle caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was currently at the contact's rental property. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and the dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2017 · Airbags · 6,398 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving approximately 40 MPH in the evening, a deer suddenly ran across the road. The front driver side bumper struck the deer. Suddenly, the cabin of the vehicle filled with smoke, but there were no flames. The brakes were applied and the vehicle stopped. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. One injury was sustained, which required medical attention. When the ignition was restarted, the instrument panel lighting illuminated and "service air bag" was displayed. The vehicle was driven home and then to the dealer for repair. The approximate failure mileage was 6,398. .....updated 03/08/17 *bf