2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: engine overheating

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 Mar 17, 2025 · Transmission · NY

I have had to replace the transmission in this vehicle 3 times within a year and half time frame. Initially experienced harsh shifting, significant hesitation in shifting and the transmission overheated whilst driving on the highway to the point where smoke was clearly visible. Each of the 3 failures stemmed from the torque converter. There were no warning lamps or messages present prior to the failures.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Visibility · WI

I purchased a 2016 Silverado in 2021.I am writing regarding previously completed recall (N192265660) for my 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, which addresses issues related to the rear window defroster overheating and the potential for thermal events. The recall repair was performed in 2020, but I am experiencing a recurrence of the issue. We live in Wisconsin, on a cold morning last week, the rear window of my vehicle shattered while I was inside. I believe this was caused by overheating of the rear defroster, since I literally watched it happen in my rear-view mirror, despite the recall repair having been completed. The fracture lines in the glass very distinctly show the source where it shattered, leading directly to the heating element for the defroster. This was a known issue addressed by the recall, and I am concerned that the problem was not fully resolved, as the damage was substantial and could have escalated into a fire hazard. On [XXX], the day of the incident, I tried to get a service appointment to have it looked at and was told there was nothing they could do since the "recall had already been done" to my truck. I contacted customer service and was able to have the truck looked at by a GM Service Center after they set up an appointment for me. The Customer Service manager even documented and diagnosed the cause as being the rear defroster that shattered the window, yet they still denied any help or offer to repair it. After nearly 6 weeks of back and forth with GM customer service, and then eventually escalating to the "Product Assistance Claims Team" I was still denied any help having the issue resolved even with every piece of evidence showing this was a failed recall repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 5, 2023 · Transmission · TX

6L80 Transmission blew gears 1-3 at 84,000 miles under normal load. Extended warranty replaced the transmission with rebuilt one and it is slipping and overheating after four months of normal driving. Extended warranty will not cover again.

Filed Jun 12, 2021 · Engine · CT

Engine overheating when pulling a trailer uphill. A simular problem also occurred with the transmission fluid reaching 212 degrees. Both incidents did occur on a hot days in California. Responded by turning on the heat in the summer time which solved the temporary engine overheating problem. Engine coolant was at the proper level and had not exceeded the manufactures 5 year 50,000 mile life time. This despite the truck being sold specifically rated for trailer towing with me neither overloading, exceeding tow rating or exceeding 55 mph. When this occurred.

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Engine · 78,000 miles · OK

Coolant leak on driver side of radiator. This causes truck to overheat when driving on city streets or highways & at idle on occasion. It causes truck to overheat every time when hauling a load(pulling a trailer and/or boat) on city streets & highways. I can visibly see coolant leaking from the radiator. Driving with the AC on makes the overheating worse.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Electrical · 35,250 miles · MI

There was a hissing sound and smoke in the area of the rear power sliding window, I had read about this concern online and was able to shut my rear defroster off before it blew out the back window but not everyone is that lucky. Gm has a bulletin about a small water leak in the same area but does not acknowledge that it is related to the rear window shattering. The water leaks in directly onto the power components of the glass, creates a short that overheats the glass, and ultimately ends with the rear glass shattering. I was lucky enough to catch mine before it blew out but that could cause a hazard for anyone sitting in the back seat, I do not feel that there should be a recall but some sort of extended coverage on this component for those who express the same complaint. Even if you catch it before the window blows out, the damage from the short is only fixed by replacing the entire rear window assembly (that is what they did to mine). Concern could be moving or stationary as long as the rear defroster is in use. Link to water leak bulletin: https://gm.oemdtc.com/8793/water-leak-under-back-glass-from-power-sliding-window-2014-2016-chevrolet-silverado-gmc-sierra where the leak is identified is exactly where I saw the smoke come from. More complaints may also be found here: https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/209824-2017-sierra-denali-rear-window-exploded/?page=11