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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,288 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 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments

problem #7

Dec 102021

Silverado 3500

  • miles

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

During snow removal the night of December 10, 2021 into the morning of December 11, 2021, vehicle was in reverse traveling approximately 10-20 mph (actual speed at impact is unknown). Upon impact with a tree in the rear of the truck, the airbag system in the vehicle was engaged. The seatbelts locked up, and the airbag chemicals in the steering wheel and front passenger airbag compartment were activated, however, none of the airbags physically deployed. Attached phots will show the source of impact. The frame is likely twisted. Additional photos attached show that the seat belts locked up and that the airbag system was engaged without deployment of bags. Currently working with Mankato Motors Co, 1815 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN 56001, with a phone number of 507-625-5641. Vehicle has not been inspected yet to provide full report of findings and damage assessment. Vehicle was drivable to move from incident location to my residents and current location of the vehicle is 638 Clay Ct., Mankato, MN 56001. Vehicle has been washed to show all damage and provide for ease of investigation and inspection.

- Mankato, MN, USA

problem #6

Oct 112021

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Driving my truck, without a trailer, the "Service Trailer Brakes Soon" fault came on my truck. This is a known problem that GM is aware of with their ITBC system for YEARS & have done selective recalls for. This a hazard to the motoring public. There is no warning when this fault happens while pulling a trailer & when it does pop up, you lose all trailer brakes. I had the same problem with my 2010 Silverado, after numerous visits to the dealership & thousands of dollars & filed complaints with GM & NHTSA, nothing was done. When taken to the dealership, if the fault isn't on the screen, they claim they can't find or fix the problem. I pull a 10,000 pound 5th wheel, I need trailer brakes when I apply them.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #5

Jul 022021

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Serpentine belt broke. I have it available. Recommended service is 150K miles or 10 years. It broke at 55K and 5 years. Lost brake and steering assist. Almost impossible to stop or turn vehicle. It is a diesel and uses hydraulic assist. Dealer replaced belt could not determine cause of problem. Has not been inspected. No warning.

- Boerne, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 282017

Silverado 3500

  • 27,000 miles

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

While driving on the highway, vehicle filled with smoke accompanied by a strong burning odor. At the same time the HVAC blower stopped functioning and the windshield fogged up. After stopping the vehicle, burned wires and melted harness connectors where found at the HVAC blower the HVAC blower motor overheated due to a short caused by repeated water intrusion from defective and missing body seams along the roof, cowl, and numerous other locations. Safety belt warning chimes repeatedly for no apparent reason, many other electronic components intermittently fail or operate erratically when it rains or snows. Vehicle floor fills with water frequently. Mold has started growing under carpet. Repeated issues from date of purchase, issues continue to be unresolved, dealership has been unable to identify all leak sources to stop water intrusion.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #3

Jan 012017

Silverado 3500

  • 75,000 miles
Driving vehicle ABS and skid warning lights appears, brake system warning appears always lit while in towing mode. None stop beeping. No reason why this is happening. Had vehicle checked by multiple Chevrolet dealerships and they have changed sensors, towing plug twice, electrical rewiring. Began towing 1 hour after repairs and the same problems began all over again. No changes have been noticed $2700 later

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 272016

Silverado 3500

  • 4,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While driving approximately 70 mph hauling a goose neck flatbed duel tandem trailer, the power bus bar shorted. In addition, there was a failure with a loose wire associated with the starter. The radio would not turn off and the contact was locked in the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer tightened the wires and replaced all of the bus bars. The next morning, within less than 20 miles, the bus bars failed again. The brake, traction control, and other warning indicators and gauges illuminated. The contact was locked in the vehicle and had to move the key back and forth as well as use the key fob to exit the vehicle because the lever would not release. The vehicle was towed to the dealer a second time. The dealer failed to route the wires correctly, in which the edge of the bracket rubbed a hole in the power cable. The tailgate fractured and shorted due to the failure, but the dealer and manufacturer refused to replace the part. The vehicle was taken to the dealer two additional times, but they were unable to replicate and diagnose the failures. When the contact took the vehicle to the dealer a fourth time, the dealer replaced the air intake heater. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.

- Salt Lick, KY, USA

problem #1

Apr 202016

Silverado 3500

  • 1,015 miles
Entire instrument cluster went out while driving causing loss of needed information such as speed and other pertinent information. Dealer says there is a tsb that the entire truck has to be re-flashed including all modules in the vehicle because it does not recognize the instrument cluster. During this time, all safety systems flashed and appeared to be inactive. Air bag, traction control, ABS, trailer braking etc. This needs to be investigated to see if a recall must happen. If we got in an accident during this occurrence who knows if any of the safety systems on the vehicle were functioning.

- Ionia, MI, USA

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