CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2016 Silverado has a few problems reported here & there, but that's to be expected for a popular model. More importantly, it has no significant problem trends -- both with our complaint data & same with complaints made to the NHTSA.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
27 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 1
Average Mileage:
36,091 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
On 09/22/2022, the power assist for the brakes suddenly and without warning failed during slow forward and reverse maneuvering in a parking lot, resulting in an increase in brake pedal pressure and travel to slow and stop the vehicle. Contact with a proximate vehicle was narrowly avoided. A service brakes message appeared in the central information panel between the tachometer and speedometer. Turning off the ignition and then turning the ignition switch back to start the vehicle extinguished the service brake message, and power assist for the brakes returned to nominal function. This occurrence is a safety of driving concern because of its sudden onset without warning and the need to immediately compensate with the application of significantly increased brake pedal pressure to slow and stop the vehicle. A corresponding increase in braking distance was not measured but was distinctly noticed.
At low speeds the brakes become hard and vehicle will not stop requiring increased stopping distance. It appears there is a recall for this, but my VIN does not seem to be included. Reference NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000.
While back 1,200 pound boat and trailer down a boat ramp, the brake pedal sank to the floor and the vehicle kept rolling. I had to pump it several times to stop it. This has happened every time I go to a boat ramp. Brakes seem to work great other than low speed backing up. I'm scared I might get pulled into the water if I ever tow whatbmy truck is rated for at 11,000 pounds. Please advise.
I had to replace the transmission and pay out of pocket because my transmission went out due to the recalls that was never sent to me and I was never notified until now.
- Darlington, SC, USA
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Trailer braking system kept indicating that it needed service. While pulling an RV trailer the brakes would pulsate (especially going downhill). This resulted in several -??uncomfortable-?? and dangerous braking situations. The module has been replaced, but the dealership kept the defective part so it is not available for inspection. The dealership saw the message being displayed and diagnosed the event prior to replacing the part. This component should have been covered under a national recall as it is a safety hazard!
Service trailer brake warning system activating intermittently without a trailer attached. Dashboard message center displays "service trailer brake system" alarm chime activation sounds. Repair facility diagnostics indicate the wiring harness between the BCM-??s and brake system has a fault / defect issue. I was advised this is common issue with this vehicle and presents a severe safety concern with a braking system and require immediate repair for my safety. The repairs are not covered under a TSB or recall notice from Chevrolet.
The trailer brake system dings on the dash board constantly, causing the brakes to malfunction and studder which is causing an increased risk of for safety incidents to happen.
I have tooken my 2016 Silverado 5.3 that I bought brand new 4 times to get fixed for a brake recall, it is still not fixed even though in their records it-??s fixed, I have had several near misses but I am always ready with the e brake. The brakes get super hard out of no where and I can-??t brake at all. Recently I hit 2 vehicles because of this recall. I was backing out of my home and when I tried to brake I hit a car parked in the side of the road, if they would-??ve been in the car I would-??ve killed the owner of the vehicle for sure. I put it in drive to get out of her car and the brake didn-??t work again and crashed into the vehicle in front of me again because of the brake recall. I was injured both time and I am paying for these peoples cars and other stuff. I have been talking to several lawyers just haven-??t decided which one I am going to go with. I am scared for my life to drive that truck now and it is sacred to me and my family as my dad died from COVID and it was his truck
"Trailer Brake System" (TBS) warning indicator malfunction. Out of nowhere the TBS warning message and chime started malfunctioning. The malfunction is irregular and often so frequent the vehicle is un-drivable. The rapid warning display and chime is very distracting and presents a very significant distraction resulting in unsafe operation of the vehicle. I have multiple videos of the malfunction, ranging from and occasional chime to a constant chime. Unfortunately they are too large to upload.
Braking ability significantly decreases when in reverse and also sometimes when traveling at very low speeds like pulling into the driveway or into a parking spot. The brake will be fully applied, and vehicle will continue to move. This can cause a very dangerous collision and potentially cause death or serious injury to the vehicle passengers and/or passengers of vehicles encountered. The 'service brake assist' indicator will light up on the dash at times, other times there is no warning light when it happens. I bought this vehicle a little less than 30 days ago (on 12/20/2021) and have had this happen to me multiple times. I have not had it to the dealer yet, but have an appointment set to have it looked at. My father (a diesel mechanic) seems to think it is due to vacuum loss of the brakes. The vehicle can be available for inspection upon request.
At lower speeds the brake pedal become stiff making it extremely difficult to stop. Sometimes the antilock breaks will kick in to help, but sometimes that doesn't even stop the truck. On several occasions I have nearly hit other cars because the brakes fail to engage. On one occasion when parking in a multi story parking garage, the truck almost plowed through the side barrier because it wouldn't stop. The brakes also fail when going in reverse at low speeds. It appears that the brake assist vacuum pump is failing as has been reported by a number of other complaints. The brake pads and rotors are all in good shape and the truck has only 68,000 miles.
While driving slowly in parking lot, lost braking. I had minimal braking for the next 5 minutes. Message on dashboard said SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST. Which indicates a problem with the brake boost assist system. Further investigation indicates a re-programing of the braking software may be needed. i would like to see this issue of re-programing the braking software a re-call on my 2106 truck. Ref: NHTSA - 19V645 & 20V603
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed but went all the way to the floorboard and hesitated to respond, causing a 3 feet delay in stopping distance. The brake assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and whenever he would depress the brake pedal several times. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Loss of brakes at low speeds, may require pumping of brakes. Had an update performed and thought bit was corrected. Have experienced it 4 or 5 times since. Vehicle continues to roll a few feet before stopping. Corrects itself after restart of vehicle.
I have a hard brake pedal at low or idle speeds. First noticed it while trying to park in a parking deck while on vacation. I almost ran into the wall. I looked online for the cause and noticed there is a recall for this issue for our year truck. I contacted the closest dealer but they informed me that my vin number did not pull up the recall. We have a "Texas" edition. I'm wondering if this edition has the same vacuum brake assist pump being recalled but has not been reported.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA