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.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 47 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 9 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Service Brakes (7 / 15%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 1 fire / 2 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 |
| 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.
| 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 →
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 GMC Sierra 1500 problems & component breakdown (24 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: 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) →