NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
This page covers 11 recalls, 784 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brakes are the most-reported concern for the 2016 Silverado 1500, with owners frequently describing the brake assist or automatic braking system activating unexpectedly, applying the brakes without any obstacle or hazard present. Powertrain complaints are the second-largest group, and a recurring theme is Active Fuel Management lifter failure: owners describe the system triggering fault codes, lifters collapsing, and in several cases the resulting damage extending to the camshaft and catalytic converters. Some owners also report the engine losing power while driving, requiring a full restart to restore normal operation. Steering rounds out the top three, with multiple owners reporting sudden loss of electric power steering, often accompanied by a "Service Stabilizer" warning, making the truck noticeably harder to control until the system resets or is serviced.
784
Total Complaints
40
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has 11 recalls, the most serious involving brake pedal pivot nuts that can loosen and leave the driver unable to stop the vehicle, with a loose pedal also risking interference with the accelerator. A separate brake concern involves a sensor fault that can trigger unintended braking on one wheel, causing the truck to pull sharply to one side without warning; this affects vehicles with the 5.3-liter engine, 3.08-ratio rear axle, and four-wheel drive. The front upper control arm welds can also fail, allowing the arm to separate and causing sudden loss of steering control.
The roof-rail curtain airbag inflator can rupture or shed its end cap, sending metal fragments into the cabin. On the restraint side, front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to deploy in a crash, and the driver's pretensioner cable can fatigue and break from repeated bending as the driver enters and exits, leaving the belt less effective in a collision. A prior recall repair on some vehicles may have introduced an incorrect replacement cable, compounding that risk.
Rounding out the list, the vacuum pump that assists the brakes can weaken over time, requiring more pedal effort and extending stopping distances.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 7 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steel cable connecting your driver's seat belt may bend repeatedly as you enter and exit, causing it to wear out and separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The end cap of the roof-rail air bag inflator may separate from the inflator unit, potentially affecting air bag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof-rail air bag modules on the affected side(s) at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wheel-speed sensor may fail, causing the brake control computer to incorrectly activate the driveline-protection system while driving 41–60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the brake control computer at no cost to prevent the system from activating incorrectly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vacuum pump produces less vacuum over time, which can reduce braking system performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module at no cost to restore proper braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake pedal pivot nut can loosen, making the brake pedal loose or unable to work.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply adhesive to the nut and reinstall it more tightly to secure the brake pedal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the seat may bend repeatedly as you enter and exit the vehicle, causing it to fatigue and separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the pretensioner cable and seat side-shield at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front upper control arms may have weak welds near the bushing, which could fail during driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front upper control arms and realign the front end at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen over time, causing the brake pedal to become loose or stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will apply adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall it with increased torque to secure it properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.