The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would lose automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the negative battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 45 MPH, a deer ran into the middle of the roadway and impacted the front grill and bumper. The Service Air Bag warning light was illuminated. After the impact, the contact noticed smoke was leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the front driver-side and passenger-side air bags. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move forward or reverse after the impact. The contact stated that the front driver-side and passenger-side seat belts failed to retract or extend. The contact and her husband were able to unbuckle the seat belts and safely exit the vehicle in time. No injuries were sustained. No police reports or fire reports were filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and was towed to the contact's home where it remained for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The worst 2016 GMC Sierra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags2
- Electrical2
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags2
- Electrical2
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Genera Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles. The radio may intermittently fail to provide an audio warning when the key has been left in the ignition and the door is opened or when the driver does not fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection", and/or 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Risk
- An unbelted driver is at a greater risk of injury in a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 15808.
Recall number 16V084000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pick up trucks manufactured October 13, 2015, to October 14, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the mounting stud used to secure the air bag sensing and diagnostic Module (SDM) may be incorrectly positioned, and as a result, the SDM housing could fracture.
- Risk
- If the SDM housing fractures, water may get into SDM causing it to malfunction and hinder the proper deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash, thereby increasing the risk of occupant injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will have the mounting stud repositioned and the SDM replaced, free of charge. The recall began December 2, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 15794.
Recall number 15V830000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Sierra 61
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This preliminary informational bulletin contains recommendations of what needs to be done to swap/install...
- This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.
- This informational bulletin provides information that the TPM sensors must always be relearned when...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition...
- ?
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the correct way to...
- This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Allison LCT1000 transmission...
2016 GMC Sierra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 23 | 20 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl Hybrid | RWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15-16 | 20-23 | 17-19 |
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 15-16 | 19-22 | 17-18 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl Hybrid | 4WD | 16 | 21 | 18 |
| 6.2L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
| 6.2L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 21 | 17 |
What 2016 GMC Sierra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. The contact stated that while driving at 64 MPH, he crashed head-on with a 350-pound deer. The deer went underneath the vehicle, and the driver ran over it with the passenger front tire. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The air bag warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries or fire. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive away from the crash. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 85,379. Additionally, while driving in the snow, a motorcycle crashed into the rear of his vehicle. The driver-side front air bag did not deploy. There was an abnormal sizzling sound, and smoke was detected. There were no warning lights illuminated, There were no reported injuries, fore or police report. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70- 85 mph, the vehicle was shaking. The stability track warning indicator light was illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH with the defroster engaged, she noticed smoke on the rear electric sliding glass window and smelled a burning odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road, disengaged the defroster and the smoke gradually faded away. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and scheduled an appointment for diagnosis. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Vehicle shakes and vibrates at any speeds above 75 MPH.
While driving my truck, it has had 3 alerts on dash for "service stabilitrak, power steering use caution and trailer brake." vehicle gauges all drop to zero while operating vehicle and go on and off. The vehicle when this occurs also disengages from gear, vehicle is an automatic. Then engine revs up when it slips out of gear and generally goes back in gear as gauges come back on. The power steering seems to also lose some power. When this occurs, if you depress the gas pedal, you do not get any more power. This is technically the 6th occurrence. It has been back to dealer (griffin gmc of monroe, nc) and computer codes were cleared and nothing reported ie...technically found that would cause this issue per the dealership as unable to re-produce the cause. I returned the truck today after this 6th occurrence due to my fear of driving the vehicle with my children and getting involved in an accident. I have video of this last occurrence of dashboard gauges and shared them with the dealership. First occurrence pictures are feb 29, 2016 and sunday, march 20, 2016. Vehicle has approximately 2000 miles on odometer. Entire time, vehicle has been running on local road, either at stop or driving below 45mph moving straight ahead. I could not replicate or cause the issue to happen again on purpose, very random.
Compare the 2016 GMC Sierra
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Questions about the 2016 GMC Sierra
Is the 2016 GMC Sierra reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra, fewer than a typical Sierra model year.
What is the 2016 GMC Sierra year score?
The 2016 GMC Sierra scores 95 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Sierra: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Sierra?
Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is electrical (2).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Sierra have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2016 GMC Sierra airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V830000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Sierra have bad airbags?
The GMC Sierra model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (29 complaints), 2000 (17 complaints) and 1996 (16 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2016 GMC Sierra get?
Official estimates for the 2016 GMC Sierra range from 17 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18 city and 23 highway.
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