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.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
This page covers 7 recalls, 334 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake and powertrain complaints dominate what 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 owners report. The most common brake issue centers on the pedal going hard and losing assist at low speeds, typically in parking lots or slow-moving traffic, leaving drivers with little stopping power when pressing the pedal. Some owners report the pedal going nearly to the floor before the truck responds. On the powertrain side, transmission complaints are the next most frequent, with owners describing gear-change shudders, hesitation when shifting between lower gears, and RPM spikes during 1-2 upshifts on the 8L90 transmission. Engine complaints also appear, with multiple owners reporting valve train noise and lifter or camshaft failures linked to the cylinder deactivation system, often surfacing after 100,000 miles. Steering complaints round out the top three reported systems, though at roughly a third the volume of brake reports.
334
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
13
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 has 7 recalls, the most serious involving curtain airbag inflators that can shed an end cap or rupture, sending metal components into the cabin and raising the risk of injury.
On the steering and suspension side, front upper control arm welds may be inadequate near the bushing, allowing the arm to separate and causing a sudden loss of steering control. There is also a brake-related concern where a driveline protection sensor can misfire and apply braking to one wheel unexpectedly, pulling the truck sharply to one side. A separate brake issue affects vacuum-assisted power brakes: the vacuum pump can lose output over time, requiring more pedal force and extending stopping distances. Two recalls cover the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, which may fail to deploy in a crash, leaving the driver and front passenger without full restraint protection. These recalls cover overlapping vehicle populations and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected trucks.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof-rail air bag inflator end cap may separate, or the inflator sidewall may break open.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both the left and right roof-rail air bag modules at no cost.
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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 →
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 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.