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 5 recalls and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 has 5 recalls, the most serious involving the brake pedal, which can come loose or stop working entirely, leaving the driver without the ability to stop the truck and potentially causing the loose pedal to catch on the accelerator.
A separate but equally urgent safety issue involves the roof-rail curtain airbags: the inflator's end cap can detach or the inflator body itself can rupture, sending the cap or other hard fragments into the cabin during a deployment. Two recalls cover the restraint system, describing the same underlying problem from different filing scopes: the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to fire in a crash that would normally trigger them, leaving the driver and front passenger without the full protection those systems are designed to provide. Pretensioners are the components that snap the belt tight at the moment of impact, so a failure there means the belt stays slack just when it matters most.
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 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 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 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.