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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 is associated with 47 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 9 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Service Brakes, accounting for 7 reports (15% 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.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 47 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Service Brakes (7 / 15%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 3 crash / 1 fire / 2 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 17–20 MPG across 14 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Sierra C15 2WD 4.3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 18 MPG 23 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Sierra 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Sierra C15 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Sierra C15 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Sierra K15 4WD 4.3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 17 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Sierra C15 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Sierra K15 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Sierra K15 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Sierra 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 21 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Sierra C15 Cab Chassis 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Sierra C15 2WD 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Sierra K15 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Sierra K15 Cab Chassis 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 19 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Sierra 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.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
PU/EC 4WD 17.9%
PU/CC 4WD 17.4%
PU/RC 4WD 17.4%
Hybrid PU/CC RWD 17.9%
PU/EC RWD 17.4%
PU/CC RWD 17.9%
PU/RC 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 GMC Sierra 1500 models.
View complete 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

Summary of 47 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
47
Crash Reports
3
Fire Reports
1
Complaints w/ Injury
2
Total Injuries
6

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Service Brakes 7 complaints (1 crash)
Powertrain 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Steering 4 complaints
Structure & Body 3 complaints

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 GMC Sierra 1500 problems & component breakdown (24 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #16V256000 Active Recall
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.
NHTSA Campaign #21V504000 Active Recall
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.
NHTSA Campaign #20V736000 Active Recall
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RRAB modules on the left and/or right side, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on December 22, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Note: GM filed a new recall, number 21V-504 that supersedes this recall. All vehicles previously recalled under 20V-736 will now be repaired under the new recall number 21V-504. GM's numbers for this recall are N202309680, N202309681, and N202309682.
View all 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls & campaign history (9 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500

How many safety recalls does the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 have?

The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 is associated with 9 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 9 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

NHTSA records list 47 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Service Brakes, appearing in 7 filings (15% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 7 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 range from 17 to 20 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.