2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD: common problems and reliability
An average Silverado 3500 HD year.
61 owner complaints, most about steering. 7 recalls.
Should I buy one?The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD has 61 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are steering and service brakes. Owners most often flag electrical & infotainment gremlins: range from complete battery/charging system failures (2016 model) and dashboard/infotainment blackouts/resets (2015 model) to bluetooth/android auto connectivity dropouts (2025 model). often difficult to diagnose, pointing to wiring harness or module issues.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Silverado 3500 HD years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Silverado 3500 HD?
Across the 23 Silverado 3500 HD model years we track, complaint volume runs from 15 (2023) to 2,119 (2003). With 61 complaints, the 2016 Silverado 3500 HD sits below the model's median of 90.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Silverado 3500 HD
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 18V578000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Campaign 19V088000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 GMC Sierra 3500 and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 trucks equipped with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks. The fuel-level sensor in the front tank may stick in a low-level position, allowing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V651000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 17V437000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Show 3 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Campaign 16V069000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Campaign 21V504000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
air bags:side/window:curtain:inflator
Campaign 26V611000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
- RecurrentElectrical & Infotainment Gremlins
Range from complete battery/charging system failures (2016 model) and dashboard/infotainment blackouts/resets (2015 model) to Bluetooth/Android Auto connectivity dropouts (2025 model). Often difficult to diagnose, pointing to wiring harness or module issues.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Silverado 3500 HD. See the full Silverado 3500 HD owner picture and every model year.
Other Silverado 3500 HD model years
Compare every Silverado 3500 HD year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Silverado 3500 HD against its rivals
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