While traveling at low speeds in parking lots and in the operation of parking, my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 gets a hard brake pedal that goes to the floor but I have no brakes. I almost hit a person in a local grocery store parking lot, at the bank driving up to the ATM, and I almost lost my truck over a bank because the brakes failed. This has happened multiple times at low speeds but it is getting more consistent recently. It has endangered myself and others. It is only a matter of time until damage occurs or someone gets hurt.
2016 GMC Sierra 1500: soft or spongy brake pedal
5 of the 344 complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 describe soft or spongy brake pedal.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 30 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Soft or spongy brake pedal by model year
What owners say
Braking system is malfunctioning while driving at slower speeds. It has malfunctioned while backing up and almost hit another vehicle. It also malfunctioned while coming to a stop light. Brake system is not working as it should and is feeling spongy upon braking. It feels like the brake pedal is all the way to the floor before it will eventually stop the truck. In researching this problem, there was a recall on the secondary brake system back in Feb of 2020. I bought the truck in June of 2020. I never got any information that there was a recall from the dealership I bought it from. I am unable to drive my truck due to this problem. I have not taken the truck to a GMC dealer as of yet but planning to.
Brakes became spongy while hauling a boat almost crashed while coming to a stop at a traffic light brakes were hard to compress. Vehicle didn't want to stop immediately... Had to use the emergency brake to come to a complete stop. Right after the service warning sign came on showing ( brake assist service)
At startup, if you shift from park to drive or reverse, the brake pedal stiffens and it is hard to stop. If you are able to speed up over a certain speed, say 15 to 20 MPH, then the truck brakes fine. I have taken it to the dealer and they replaced the brake booster pump, but it started doing it again within a day or two.
Vacuum pump failure. The truck had the vacuum pump fail after only 56,xxx miles. The pump failed and cause me a hard brake pedal while coming to a stop. The part internally failed and was not producing enough vacuum to supply the brake booster. After discussing this with the dealer it was a common problem and not covered by warranty.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- Risk
- As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Recall number 19V645000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 spongy pedal
Is soft or spongy brake pedal a common problem on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
5 of 344 owner complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 (1%) mention soft or spongy brake pedal. The model year with the most reports is 2015.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?
There is 1 recall and 30 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
Jerking 32Check engine light 20Harsh shifting 18Brake failure 16Shudder 14Fire or smoke 13Loss of power 13Hesitation 12Stalling 11Engine failure 9Power steering loss 9ABS 7Misfire 7Transmission failure 7Knocking 6
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