2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: engine failure

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 6, 2026 · Engine · VA

I am reporting a manufacturing defect involving General Motors’ Active Fuel Management (AFM) system that caused catastrophic engine failure in my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado (VIN: [XXX] ). At approximately 78,000 miles, my vehicle experienced piston and lifter failure requiring full engine replacement. This failure 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 addressed 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. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] VIN: [XXX] 2016 Chevrolet Silverado INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Engine · TX

I am writing about my recent engine failure on my 2016 Chevy Silverado High Country. This is a 4x4 with the 6.2L motor. My engine has failed at only 66,790 miles due to the lifter issue that seems to be common with these motors. I noticed a loud ticking from my motor that was getting worse. I took it into A1 Automotive Georgetown, TX. They advised me to contact a dealership for Warranty repair or replacement as they noted it was coming from the valves. I contacted Don Hewlett Chevrolet; they advised me due to the date of the truck being made in 2016 it is no longer covered in warranty and the advisor said they do not see engines with lifter issues. I did standard service with an oil and transmission change using the recommended 0W-20W oil. The next day the ticking was very bad and turned into what I would describe as ‘jack hammer’ noises. Then I lost power while driving and the dashboard lights came on. I got towed back to A1 Auto; they drained the oil and noticed a lot of metal fragments and advised me that theck engine will need to be replaced. The engine was removed and we found the pushrod on the passenger side was sticking out to the side of the rocker arm presumably due to a lifter issue. I now have a new engine with the ‘delete kit’ to remove the 4-cylinder shutoff that has been linked to lifter failures. This has been a very unnecessary expense for something that shouldn’t happen. The motor only having 66,790 miles and I am the only owner, I have always taken very good care of it, and even use only premium gas. I have gotten all the oil changes on time and most of them have been done by the dealership at Don Hewlett. Date of ticking inspection and oil change, A1 Auto – 12/16/2025 miles 66,766 Date of failure 12/17/2025 miles 66,790 Charges: •Towing $235 •Engine replacement $14,064.90 oEngine $8,375 oLabor $3,750 oInjectors $1042 oOil, Tax, misc. $897

Filed Oct 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA

We have replaced the engine twice and the transmission once spending 18,000 dollars on a truck that was 54,000 plus dollars that we bought in 2019 and we still owe over 5 grand on currently. Currently now were having a stablittrack malfunction weve been told by numerous mechanics how awful this year for yjis particular vehicle is because its the first year GM decided to put in a smart engine .we definitely regret ever buying this GM product 🙄we truly need help with the repairs for tnis truck ! Its stranded us numerous times even shutting off trying to go thru a red light !

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Transmission · 44,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle seized in 4WD mode, causing the steering wheel to become firm and difficult to turn. The 4WD warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where Technical Service Bulletin: PIP5369C was performed to update the transfer case control module with the latest software. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · LA

The lifters on one side of my engine failed. This is due to the AFM(Active fuel management) system that GM had in its vehicles from 2016-2021. My truck is a V8 motor and the AFM system drops the motor to 4 cylinders during periods that the vehicle is in stop or coasting. Overtime the lifters in the engine wear out causing the engine to fail. I barely made it to the dealer to fix the issue as I lost full power in the engine nearly causing me to have an accident. The only notification I got was check engine light started blinking mid-stream on my way to work. The cost to repair lifters is extremely high and that is the reason why GM hasn't issued a recall yet. There are thousands of cases of failed lifters in my research online. GM knew this was a problem as they have quit using the AFM feature in all of their vehicles. My servicer at my dealership even told me that they have seen this problem on multiple occasions.

Filed Aug 26, 2021 · Engine, Steering · 83,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while coming to a stop and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle started to lose motive power. The vehicle lost motive power and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that after several seconds the vehicle regained motive power. The failure recurred approximately 5-6 times. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2021 · Engine, Steering · 103,490 miles · OH

On jan 30, 2021 a check engine light appeared on start-up but had no noticeable difference in driving conditions or reading from dash gauges. Checked engine code and it read po6dd, took my truck to a gm dealer and they ran a test showing 20psi too low of oil pressure at the top side of the engine as a result of a failed oil pump solenoid. Was told this could have caused an engine failure. Cost to repair this issue is >$3,000.00. While the dealership was test driving my truck after repairing the oil solenoid the entire power steering unit failed. The entire power steering unit needs to be replaced and is nearly $1,500.00 to repair. These problems on a 5 year old vehicle with 103,490 miles seems like a major issue. I reached out to gm and they said that these issues are not under recall and will not be assisting in any costs involved in repairs.

Filed Sep 10, 2019 · Brakes · 82,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brakes seized intermittently. On september 5, 2019, the vehicle was taken to high plains motors inc (331 front st, wolf pointe, mt 59201) for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v645000 (service brakes) applied to the failure. The software update was performed; however, the failure was becoming worse. On september 9, 2019), the vehicle was brought back to the same dealer and the contact that the contact would be responsible for the repairs since the recall repairs were performed already. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2018 · Steering · 40,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving and turning into a fuel station, unknown warning indicators illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to slam on the brake pedal to avoid hitting a person and a gas pump. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and it operated normally as the power steering was reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (alamo city chevrolet, 9400 san pedro ave, san antonio, tx 78216, (210) 987-2134) where it was diagnosed that the electrical power steering shorted out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was called and the contact was awaiting a call back as the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Apr 13, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 19,000 miles · TX

Makiing a turn the steering locked and engine died 2 times and yesterday while diving on the freeway at 70 miles per hour it died and managed to pull off the road. First time we allmost got hit by an other car . Im very, very concern . Truck has 19k miles