5.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,980 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.

2016 GMC Sierra 3500 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 GMC Sierra 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2016 GMC Sierra 3500 Owner Comments

problem #5

May 062021

Sierra 3500

  • 27,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Backed it out of the garage to go somewhere, got on the main road and it was wondering with a lot of play in the steering wheel, next hit a bump in the road and the front wheels started shaking uncontrollably until I slowed to under 40 mph, hit another road seam and it did the same thing.took it to the mechanic, he diagnosed it as a failed steering box. Truck only has 27,500 miles on it. Never seen a dirt road, not driven in the winter.$1700 later its fixed. Many complaints about this on the internet and GMC has not recalled these trucks for this problem they know about. Has soured my trust in their brand.

- Brookfield, VT, USA

problem #4

Mar 052019

Sierra 3500

  • 16,000 miles
Excessive play in steering wheel 2 to 3" very unsafe, at all times when driving. GM is aware of problem but not doing anything about a serious safety issue. Service bulletin pit5501D. Something needs to be done.

- Burlington, WI, USA

problem #3

Mar 252016

Sierra 3500

  • 20,400 miles
Steering wheel has slop/play in it. Wheel has 3-4 inches of play before it catches. Can drive down road and 1 min wheel is to the left next its to right to keep truck going straight.

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #2

Jul 242018

Sierra 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 3500. While passing a boat ramp hauling a boat trailer, the brakes and steering failed to function. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle and noticed that the serpentine belt became detached. The contact was able to reconnect the serpentine belt. The vehicle was taken to legacy Buick GMC (293 E howze beach rd, slidell, la 70461, (985) 231-5256) where it was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage and VIN were not available.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #1

Dec 022016

Sierra 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 16,000 miles
-all started with loud pop, metal failure sound. -at a stop, with brakes applied, the power steering turns the wheel to the right. I have to pull to the left to keep the wheel centered. (not moving) this pressure issue will finally stop and the wheel will center on it's own. -steering has slop, feels loose, dead center -while at speed applying the brakes the steering wheel was torn from my hand 3 times. The power steering causes truck to change directions when braking. 99% of the time the truck turns right. The hyroboost system is turning the steering system to the right which changes the direction of the truck. -while driving the power steering assist appears to turn off and on. As if there is a power loss or too much power was applied than it returned to normal. The truck has been at the dealer 3 different times. First dealer visit the tech deemed the truck unsafe to drive. This was determined by just driving the truck from the service lane to the garage. Tech identified a GM tsb (pit5501D) to investigate the issue and contact GM. GM outlined a repair however the repairs did not resolve the issue. I was told by the dealer to take it to another dealer for a second opinion. This was after returning to the dealer for the second time and stating the steering system is now leaking and the issue still remains with some improvement. 3rd visit at the 2nd dealer: Second dealer drove the truck with me and it was difficult to control. The dealer tech was driving and I was sitting in the passenger seat. They deemed it unsafe to drive and put me in a loaner. 2nd dealer identified metal in the steering fluid and parts that contain fluid must be replace. Personal thoughts are the steering boxes are factory defective and causing them to fail over time. This then introduces metal into the hydroboost system which results in brake and steering failure.

- Manassas, VA, USA

Not what you are looking for?