2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · GA

Approximately one week ago I was driving at a safe speed on a two-lane highway. Suddenly, my steering wheel and truck jerked to the right. For 8-10 seconds a warning message was displayed "Power Steering ... Drive Carefully." I took the truck to my local dealership. They scanned for trouble codes. The technician said something about an interruption communicating with the electrical system. My service advisor took the truck on a 15-mile drive and had no problem. They scanned again and there were no trouble codes. The service advisor said they could not fix the problem if they did not know the cause of the problem. I left the dealership. Since then, I have had 4 more incidents. Once the warning message appeared again, but no jerk of the steering wheel or truck; once there was the same warning message and a jerk of the steering wheel and truck; and twice there were sudden jerks of the steering wheel and truck but no warning message. I have reported each of these incidents to the dealership. I also called Chevrolet Customer Assistance. I explained the problem and asked if they would assign a Field Service Engineer to assist the dealership. hey declined my request. Because I momentarily lose control of steering the truck, I fear for my safety and the safety of others.

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 Sep 7, 2025 · Transmission · FL

This vehicle has experienced repeated and ongoing serious defects with the 8L90 Transmission Torque Converter. I took delivery of this vehicle on 17SEP2016 and since it has required multiple service appointments to address the issue. To date it has not been satisfactorily repaired. Despite repeated failed repair attempts the vehicle exhibits erratic transmission slipping, jerking, hesitation and surging under acceleration. These symptoms persist even after a most recent torque converter replacement (and subsequent re-replacement as outlined below). This creates a serious safety concern particularly when accelerating into traffic, merging and driving uphill, but also in low speed maneuvers such as navigating a parking lot. The vehicle often feels like it is misfiring under acceleration when trying to merge, then surges forward erratically. In parking lots at low speeds, the downshift of this transmission is so abrupt that it often causes the driver and passengers alike to believe that the vehicle has been hit from behind. The repair history started within 2 years/24K miles as follows: - 01FEB2018 @ 28140 - Drain flush and fill transmission for Shudder/Hard Down Shift - Diagnosed as Torque converter issue. This helped for a short period of time - 26JUN2019 @ 53445 Miles - Same issue - same diagnosis - same repair attempt - this was unsuccessful in anyway. - 12NOV2019 @ 60653 Miles - Same issue and diagnosis - Torque converter replaced - 31JUL2024 @134218 Miles - Same issue and diagnosis - Flush and fill recommended since extended warranty had expired - paid $300 for transmission fluid flush and fill - 15APR2025@145963 Miles - Same issue and diagnosis - Torque converter replaced for $2956 - there was no appreciable improvement - 08AUG2025@151182 Miles - Torque Converter replaced under warranty from 15APR2025 work - No appreciable improvement - 20AUG2025@151500 Miles - Same issue - Advised to replace entire transmission

Filed May 22, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · SC

I have a 2016 Silverado 1500 I bought new. It only has 33000 miles on it. Last week I was backing my boat into the shop and the steering wheel jerked back and forth on its own pretty violently and a stabilitrac warning popped up and the radio screen kinda went dead for a second. Then last night I was pulling in a parking space at a restaurant and it did it again. This time it jerked and went dead enough to cut the truck completely off. I had to put it in park and crank the truck again. It actually reset the radios time and date.

Filed Apr 26, 2025 · Transmission · VA

The transmission failed prematurely (just over 95,000 miles). Before i had it rebuilt, It was lurching forward as I was coming to a stop. It also had trouble switching gears (very rough) and a loss of power. I understand this transmission is part of a class action lawsuit. I wanted to make sure my experience was documented with the other cases. General Motors needs to correct this problem and reimburse owners for work already completed. I will dig up my transmission repair documentation and include it with this record. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · AL

Jerking of 1-2 gears. Also in 5-6. Has not been inspected thoroughly by dealer. Was told “it’s just the way these vehicles are.” Merging onto oncoming traffic, I fear for my safety. No warning lights and the jerking/rumble strip feeling is becoming more common than when purchased.

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 Jul 21, 2024 · Body, Brakes · CA

Unknown. There is times when parking my truck. I press on the brake paddle and it sound and feels like my truck jerks at first before it brakes. This has been going on for almost the 8 years I’ve own the truck. Also I have only owned the truck for 8 years and my paint is already peeling off. It doesn’t have anything to do with the brakes. I just had my truck serviced the brakes and drums. It still does it.

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at slow speeds, the transmission shifted hard and jerked from the rear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission value body and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2024 · Seats, Transmission · CA

Powertrain failed and vehicle would no longer move. Engine would rev up, but truck would not move in any direction, almost like the transmission had gone into neutral. Powered the vehicle off, then back on, and it violently jerked, but was enough for me to get to the shoulder. Afterwards, got the vehicle checked out with a scanner, there were no check engine codes coming up, nor were there any lights on the dash. When they checked the transmission oil, there was a lot of metal flakes, which will require a transmission change. Eletric seats also do not allow any movement, making it very difficult when others try to drive the truck.

Filed Oct 30, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · NC

I was turning at low speeds and my power steering kept going out temporarily causing my steering wheel to jerk abruptly. While this was happening the dash lights and radio all went blank, turning on and off. Huge safety concern.

Filed Jul 3, 2023 · Electrical · KS

I was driving the other day and slowed to an upcoming vehicle, when I tapped the brakes the stabilitrak light flashed and all my dash lights and radio flickered, then when I used my turn signal the same things happened plus the windshield wipers came on, then when I went to merge back into my lane the pickup completely stalled out jerking us forward into our seat belts and then kept going. Later that day I went thru a drive thru and when I was turning the steering wheel jerked and wasn't able to continue turning and the pickup died. I had to lock the steering wheel in order to get it started again. This isn't the only time the first issues have happened or the steering wheel being jerked and stalling out, but this is the first time it completely stalled out in the highway and that is not okay. That is a complete safety issue and I'm not the only one who has had this issue, however when I have talked to a mechanic about it they couldn't find anything wrong and had no answer for me. There are several recalls on the years before the 2016 chevy silverado but nothing for them, and this is a big safety concern.