Check a VIN

2016 GMC Sierra 1500: engine knocking or ticking

6 of the 344 complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 245 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

What owners say

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 Dec 19, 2023 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine started making a ticking sound and the vehicle independently turned off. The contact stated that he was on a busy street in the middle of traffic when the failure occurred and was almost involved in a road rage incident with an upset driver. The contact opened the hood and noticed that the battery cable was smoking and was burned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

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 Feb 21, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · AR

I drove up to a yield sign, when on coming traffic was clear I step on the gas then I heard my engine knocking I tried to go but I only could get up to 30 MPH I took it to the dealership they diagnose it and said that the number 7 cylinder had misfired I had a manchanic to repair it and it cost me $4200.00.

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · TX

-Engine gas consumption states 21 MPG Highway, 17 MPG combined and 15 MPG City. -When I started using vehicle during the first weeks and months the best MPG I could geta at the highway was 18.5 MPG with top-tier gas. -Ever since I bought the vehicle, the gas MPG have gone down around 0.5 MPG. The vehicle feels that it has to use more gas in order to perform the level of task everyday. -The motor oil pump at times moves down from the 40 mark to the 20 mark when idle at traffic light and it starts moving, it temporarily goes to the 60 mark. At other times when idle it stays in the 30 mark. -The transmission is an 8 speed automatic. It has issues shifting 1st and 2nd gear, and at times 3rd gear as well. When driving at slow speeds like in a traffic jam, mall parking, do a u turn or when you slow down at the traffic light and then turns green and you start accelerating again it feels harsh on gearing up and down. -This vehicle has the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, it turns on even at slower speeds and you feel how the engine and transmission struggle to accelerate, go a gear up and push the vehicle with only 4 cylinders. Like in manual transmissions when you accelerate on a higher gear than the correct one, it takes forever to accelerate and properly change to 8 cylinder and establish the correct gear and ratio. -Even if all 8 cylinders on it it feels like if I am running on a smaller engine. -There was a fix done to the transmission for a valve, but the vehicle still runs the same as before. -There is a knocking noise starting to build in the engine. Best mileage I can get driving the same and gas is 13 MPG combined. -The recent safety recall for the breaks is actually making the breaking worse than before. -My vehicle is 2016 GMC Sierra All Terrain V8 5.3L 4WD Z82 with 36,500 miles on it and is doing all this and its getting worse little at a time.

Filed May 23, 2021 · Engine · TX

Truck was purchased on 11:28:20 and had my first oil change in March. Started noticing a ticking sound coming from the motor but it was. Very faint. After a while it went away. After a few weeks later the noise started to get louder and started shaking. Took to the near mechanic and he diagnosed it with bad lifters on the passager side.. I took it to another mechanic where their replaceming all lifters for 4.8k. This truck is not too old and I shouldn’t be replacing any engine parts. It only has 100k miles and it’s a 2016.

Questions about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 knocking

Is engine knocking or ticking a common problem on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

6 of 344 owner complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 (2%) mention engine knocking or ticking. 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 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 7Spongy pedal 5

All model years of the GMC Sierra 1500

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history