2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 3 complaints and 10 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report fuel system failures resulting in repeated repairs, brake controller malfunctions when connected to RV batteries causing disabled trailer brakes, and intermittent power steering loss at low speeds and hot conditions.
Common Issues
- Fuel system failure. Reports of catastrophic Bosch CP4 fuel pump failures leading to multiple repairs, including fuel line replacement and sensor costs, with recurring warning lights and diagnostic trouble codes.
- Brake controller malfunction. The brake controller disables trailer brakes when RV batteries fluctuate in voltage, triggering the "Trailer Brakes Disabled" alert and causing loss of trailer braking capability during towing.
- Power steering loss. Intermittent power steering failure occurs mostly during hot weather at slow speeds and when cornering, affecting vehicle control.
The Silverado 3500 is subject to 10 recalls addressing various safety and operational components such as fuel tanks, airbags, seat belts, and braking systems. Several recalls involve airbag sensor software updates, while brake pedal pivot nut looseness is addressed in multiple recalls. Fuel tank overfilling issues and brake pedal defects have prompted large safety campaigns.
Recalls
- Fuel tank module (N182204190). Affects 18,574 vehicles due to a fuel-level sensor that may stick low, causing rear tank overfill and potential fuel leaks near the driveshaft, increasing fire risk. Dealers replace the rear tank fuel-pump module and inspect or replace the front tank as needed.
- Roof-rail airbag inflator (N202324251). Affects 410,019 vehicles with risk of inflator end cap detachment or rupture, which can propel parts into the cabin, risking injury or crash. Dealers replace side roof-rail airbag modules free of charge.
- Airbag sensing module software (16007). Over 3.6 million vehicles may fail to deploy frontal airbags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash under certain conditions. Dealers reflash or replace the SDM software to correct this defect.
- Brake pedal pivot nut (18278). About 42,280 vehicles have brake pedals that may become loose or inoperative if the pivot nut loosens, risking inability to stop or interference with the accelerator. Dealers add adhesive and tighten the nut.
- Brake pedal pivot nut (20760). Applies to 430,771 vehicles with a similar issue of loose brake pedal pivot nuts leading to pedal loosening or failure. Adhesive application and retightening is performed at no charge.
- Airbag sensing module update incomplete (17287). Affects 40,683 vehicles improperly updated during prior recalls, which can cause airbag and pretensioner failure. Dealers reflash SDM software or replace modules as needed.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs related to fuel system failures, brake system defects, or unresolved recall issues should review their state’s lemon law protections for potential remedies. Safety-related recalls affecting critical components justify careful attention to repair completion and compliance.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 Summary
2016
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
4582489
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
410019 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
General 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.
Risk: A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
18574 vehicles affected
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
General 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.
Risk: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure may cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
42280 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General 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.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
40683 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General 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.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
3640162 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General 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.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
430771 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General 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.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
ID: 2104328STEERING
Power steering intermittently goes out. Mostly when it's hot out, slow speeds, and cornering.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
ID: 2074226SERVICE BRAKES
While connected to a RV which has onboard batteries, the truck's brake controller disables the braking system if the batteries on the RV fluctuate in voltage. The truck will give an alert advising "Trailer Brakes Disabled." This has occurred multiple times while pulling my RV which weighs 16,000 pounds, making it unsafe and hard to stop using only the truck's brakes. It happened while traveling through Atlanta, GA and once in Nashville, TN. Chevrolet has at least one TSB on this for similar 2022-2024 2500 and 3500 trucks. This has been a widely reported problem on several RV forums. The truck brake controller will work again if the engine is shut off and turned back on or the trailer is unplugged and re-plugged in the truck. This problem occurred approximately 10 times on my trip from Missouri to Florida in January and about the same number of times when returning to Missouri at the end of February.
2016 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500
ID: 2053411FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On [XXX] while traveling down [XXX] in VA I experienced a catastrophic Bosch CP4 Fuel Pump Failure. Vehicle was towed to Marion Auto Group in Marion, VA and kept for 5 weeks to repair fuel system. We paid $6,500 once we were told the repairs were complete and picked the vehicle up. Within 50 miles of driving, the fuel system error lights/codes began again and the service engine light came on. We called Marion Auto Group, they told us it was warranted for 24 months for parts and labor. We could take it to any Chevy dealer and have it looked at. We made an appt with our local Chevy dealer, Joe Bowman Chevrolet in Harrisonburg, VA. They kept the vehicle for approximately 5-6 weeks. Told us daily about the faulty repairs that Marion Auto Group had made, corrected the faulty repairs, with pictures, videos and even a coffee cup full of bad bolts and weld pieces that they replaced. Marion Auto Group agreed to pay Joe Bowman Chevrolet $5,500 in reimbursement for the work they performed to correct Marion Auto Groups work. When I got in the truck to bring it home and started it, the service engine light came on. They pulled it back in the shop, ran a diagnostic and said we needed some type of sensor ($900) so we scheduled an appt to have that done. Then we took the truck to Tennessee, fuel system failure lights and codes immediately came on. When I stopped to eat, it wouldn't start back. Took the truck to Tarr Chevrolet in Jefferson City TN, they diagnosed it as needing a new fuel line (from prev faulty fuel system) changed it ($1,700) and we headed back home with all the fuel system warning lights flashing again. Took it back to Joe Bowman Chevrolet in Harrisonburg where it's been sitting for over 7 weeks while GM decides if they should cover the entire new fuel system that it needs again ($19,000) because it's never been properly repaired since the initial catastrophic failure. Almost 7 months and $14,,600 in previous repairs.......Please HELP US! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT