The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is associated with 795 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 13 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Service Brakes, accounting for 211 reports (27% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 14 certified vehicle configurations spanning 4.3l 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-Cyl hybrid, 5.3l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 20 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 795 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 13 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Service Brakes (211 / 27%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 42 crash / 10 fire / 11 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 17–20 MPG (14 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 4.3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 18 MPG | 23 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 4.3L 6-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 17 MPG | 22 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Silverado C15 Cab Chassis 2WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 20 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Silverado C15 2WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Silverado K15 Cab Chassis 4WD | 5.3L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 15 MPG | 19 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
| Silverado K15 4WD | 6.2L 8-Cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 15 MPG | 21 MPG | 17 MPG | — | $3,600 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| PU/RC 4WD | | | | | 17.4% |
| PU/EC 4WD | | | | | 17.9% |
| PU/CC 4WD | | | | | 17.4% |
| Hybrid PU/CC RWD | | | | | 17.9% |
| PU/RC RWD | | | | | 17.9% |
| PU/EC RWD | | | | | 17.4% |
| PU/CC RWD | | | | | 17.9% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models.
View complete 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems & component breakdown (117 categories) →
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls & campaign history (13 campaigns) →