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2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: check engine light

35 of the 797 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 describe check engine light.

owner complaints
35
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
77,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 218 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to make a left turn from a complete stop, the vehicle lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal and was stranded in the middle of traffic. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was placed in neutral(N) and pushed to the shoulder of the road. The contact's husband arrived at the scene and restarted the vehicle; however, while driving at low speeds, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with metal shavings in the transmission. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair costs. The check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Engine · IL

The truck engine light came on and was not able to be driven very far without stalling. Took it for repair and 2 valve lifters were bad. We had to pay for replacement ourselves. This happened at 41,786 miles. This happened again at 46,000 miles because of faulty GM parts and they needed to be replaced again. The parts were under warranty so there was no charge. This happened again at 59,000 miles and now both side lifters are bad and mechanic suggested engine replacement since he is sure this will happen again. Now it’s costing us 15,300 to repair it and GM/Chevrolet is not helping or do they care! First incident was in April 2023, second in November 2023 and now in December 2025.

Filed Mar 2, 2026 · Engine · KY

I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving General Motors’ Active Fuel Management (AFM) system. In October 2024, my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT, at 96,000 miles, experienced a lifter collapse which caused sufficient wear to the camshaft that the engine needed to be replaced, which was performed. The malfunction indicator lamp turned on and the truck was driven an additional 2 miles to a safe location and subsequently towed to the repair shop. Before then, there had been no indication that a lifter had collapsed or that there was damage to the engine sufficient to warrant a replacement. In November 2025, I experienced another lifter collapse (on the replaced engine). While the mechanic recommended an engine replacement, the warranty company only authorized a replacement of the affected side cylinder head and lifter, which was performed. In February 2026, I experienced another lifter collapse, and the truck is currently being evaluated by a repair shop. These failures have occurred without warning and aligns with thousands of consumer complaints regarding AFM-related oil consumption, lifter collapse, and engine damage in GM vehicles. This is a known design defect that GM has tried to address through Technical Service Bulletins and engine redesigns, yet many consumers continue to experience premature failures at low mileage. This defect presents a safety and reliability concern, including loss of power while driving and significant financial burden to vehicle owners. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate this ongoing defect.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission valve body had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 139,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked unexpectedly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable. The contact reported that the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard, and the ABS system vibrated following the brake pedal failure. No warning lights were illuminated for the brake failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2025 · Suspension · MI

Truck pulls to one side unexpectedly. Stabilitrack, 4WD and engine light sensors come on when this happens. Door locks activate when this happens as well. Truck pulls more when going through pot holes and it brakes unexpectedly when pulling. Ongoing since the summer.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 14, 2025 · Engine · NC

Engine camshaft is out only 105k on vehicle. $6k to fix for it to just happen again which these trucks are known for this which is a huge manufacturer flaw. Driving down the hwy and check engine turned on quickly and whole truck shaking had to pull over going 60mph small shoulder on hwy. Taken to 2 mechanics both told me have to pull heads replace camshaft lifters. For this to be a known issue with these motors they put out and cost people thousands and risking safety is unreal

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound and was jerking significantly. The contact stated that the failure occurred while depressing the accelerator pedal, immediately after shifting into gear. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and surged upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2024 · Acceleration · CA

I was driving and my truck check engine light came on and it said engine power reducing and the truck only went 10 mph.

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating abnormally. Additionally, the rear wheels locked up and there was a burning rubber odor coming from the tires. The contact also stated that the transmission, traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission solenoid was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Oct 10, 2024 · Fuel system · 29,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel tank. The contact was informed that there was a crack in the fuel tank near the fuel sending unit. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V088000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.

Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

35 of 797 owner complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (4%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2021.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 218 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Jerking 47Loss of power 42Shudder 34Transmission failure 34Harsh shifting 29Brake failure 25Hesitation 22Stalling 22ABS 21Power steering loss 21Slipping 20Spongy pedal 19Steering lock-up 15Engine failure 12Headlights 12Grinding brakes 9Fire or smoke 9Fuel pump 8Screen failure 7Overheating 7No deployment 6Knocking 6Won't shift 6Sudden acceleration 6Ball joint 5Fuel leak 5Misfire 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500

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