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2016 GMC Sierra 1500: check engine light

20 of the 344 complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 describe check engine light.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
6%
typical mileage
86,624
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 245 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Engine · IA

Catastrophic engine failure while traveling 40 mph. Dealership diagnosed as cylinder walls being scorched and rods blown through. No warning signs existed - just had a loud thud before the check engine light started flashing and grinding sound started coming from engine.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · IL

I noticed a "ticking" noise a few years ago, it wasn't that bad and while taking my truck to the dealer for an oil change I ask about it and the representative told me that in this models that was normal. Since it wasn't that bad and the truck didn't show any problems at that time, I just decide to let it be. This weekend I took my family out of state for a fun trip, and while going in the highway around 55-65 miles per hour, the truck suddenly lose power, it felt like it the truck "sits" the cars behind me had to dodge me and I lost control of the truck and had to steer to the right getting out of the highway and almost go into a ditch, thankfully nothing scaleted to a big and disastrous accident. The engine light started to flash. And suddenly stopped, I turn off the truck checked back for my family and after a few minutes, I started the truck again, the truck started right away and but I noticed the "ticking" got a little louder, talking to my neighbor about this he told me he had the same issue and hes motor went bad and they said it was a bad AFM system causing this, I started searching on line for it and see there been the same issues with the AFM with other drivers, and seen that the have the same issues Im confident that it is an AFM problem. Truck is been running and is my daily work car and I notice is loosing power, I contacted the dealer but haven't had any answer yet. I cant take it to a mechanic shop because they would charge me in between 2,500 to 5k to fixed, money that I dont have, while in the call with one shop he told me about this place to put a claim and notify about how dangerous this can be if in a highway.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Transmission · 165,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to drive (D), the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle also lunged forward while depressing the brake pedal with the transmission downshifting. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission fluid needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was reoccurring. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was recently illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Fuel system · TN

i began getting a service engine light that went on and off a few times randomly. the vehicle would not switch down to 4cylinder as designed. there was an odd shudder as the vehicle slowed at 10mph increments which would randomly happen or not happen dependent upon the moment. i was outside of warranty so i went to a shop which has been very good in the past as opposed to risking dealership costs on top of the fact the dealership had no availability for quite some time. ultimately, i ended up replacing all fuel injectors and related equipment at my own expense. just happened to be online looking around after the announcement of gm reimbursing for similar issues on larger sierra engine and ran across a bulletin that only went to certain states in order to replace these injectors as they failed or reimburse for costs up to 10 years or 150000 miles from the time they were put into service. just curious as to why this happened in some states and not others when there was obviously and issue. i know this is probably not the forum, but a complaint is a complaint.

Filed Jul 2, 2024 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped moving very slowly and came to a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under warranty twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 86,624 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission started shifting improperly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission fluid control sensor. The contact was informed that due to the transmission fluid sensor failure, the torque converter control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to several different independent mechanics and the diagnosis was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact provided the DTC codes: P0711 and P0700. The contact researched and discovered a previous repair coverage with a similar failure description. The coverage program code was N192291660. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that there were no unrepaired recalls or coverage for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,624.

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Engine · 96,500 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a loud noise was present coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine camshaft and lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,500.

Filed Jul 23, 2023 · Fuel system · TX

My truck started having a strong fuel smell by drivers door. 7/11/23 I took to the GM dealer to address strong fuel smell. The dealer at Patriot GMC said they would have to drop the tank and do smoke test to locate leak. They reported no leaks found that it looked like possible fuel on top of tank from over filling and spill. I explained I didn't overfill tank or spill any gas. Picked up truck after being told no fault found. I had to pay $539.91 to drop gas tank for testing and to check fuel pump.7/17/23 [7/11-7-17] I explained no trouble with starting or stalling with fuel pump and I just had gas smell really strong. Engine light came on when I left shop so I called dealer and explained my truck was running fine and now engine light on. I brought it back to shop after a week of testing and put back in shop on 7/17/23 They took the code and it came back as EVAP system issue. Code P0449 They said my EVAP Vent Solenoid valve circuit was open. Circuit tested terminal 1 pin loose. Terminal in connector replaced. Vent valve tested. The mechanic stated now running as designed. Multi point inspection completed. Picked up vehicle and stopped at store because I could smell gas real strong inside my cab and under hood. I contacted dealer for third time about gas smell and this time I asked for shop manager to come to vehicle so I could make sure he could smell how strong the gas smell was and now it was coming from front hood area into ac vents and into cab and it was making me nauseous and scared of fire issue. He said he would get it fixed. Received call yesterday stating that they found a small crack in fuel pump and my truck was ready for pick up. This is the same recall notice I have read about on major recall of GMC vehicles due to crack in fuel pump. My truck is a 2016-2017 but I don't see it on the recall list or have I been notified of the issue. #N192283991 Safety issue Pressure regulator cracks fuel pump. 19V837000

Filed Jun 21, 2023 · Transmission · MA

Check engine light on 2016 GMC Sierra, PO710 and PO711, took to local mechanic and notified me there is a service bulletin related to issue but VIN# shows no recall, below is the service bulletin found online. PIP5700 8L45 8L90 Internal Wiring Harness I

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Engine · 81,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while starting and driving the vehicle, the engine experienced rough idling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder misfire and that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact declined the repair, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with codes: P050D, P2099, P219B, and P0300 for the fuel injector. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment N182198000 (Engine Fuel Injector); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was then taken to Champion Chevrolet Buick GMC (502 S 1st St, La Grange, KY 40031) where it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the Special Coverage Adjustment. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Filed Feb 21, 2023 · Engine · 113,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic convert needed to be replaced and cylinder #7 misfiring. The contact was informed that the rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact had not yet received a response. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2022 · Engine · 72,727 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle responded at a rapid rate of speed. As a result, the vehicle almost crashed into another vehicle. The contact was concerned for her children safety. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an AutoZone where it was placed on a diagnostic machine indicating code P050D. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 had a misfire and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that three days later, the engine warning light illuminated, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment for a later date. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 72,727.

Questions about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

20 of 344 owner complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 (6%) 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 GMC Sierra 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 245 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500

Jerking 32Harsh shifting 18Brake failure 16Shudder 14Fire or smoke 13Loss of power 13Hesitation 12Stalling 11Engine failure 9Power steering loss 9ABS 7Misfire 7Transmission failure 7Knocking 6Spongy pedal 5

All model years of the GMC Sierra 1500

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