5.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,259 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 1500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 4 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #13

Oct 302016

Sierra 1500

  • 25 miles

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

Since buying the truck new in 2016 it had a vibration, which got worse as you increased speed, at highway speed, 65-75 mph the vibration is so bad it was making me nauseous. I have taken it to the dealer several times, first balanced the tires and said everything was normal, truck still vibrating. Several more trips to the dealer with the same result.

- Monroe Township, NJ, USA

problem #12

Aug 012018

Sierra 1500

  • 96,794 miles
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 65 mph in stop and go traffic, the contact detected a shutter and heard an abnormal noise when shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to marty's Buick GMC (5 kingston collection way, kingston, MA 02364, (781) 948-9098) where the transmission was reprogrammed and flushed. The vehicle was then taken to best Chevrolet (128 derby St, hingham, MA 02043, 866-208-7873) where the contact was informed that the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,794.

- Kingston, MA, USA

problem #11

Oct 262018

Sierra 1500

  • 25,000 miles
Transmission shifts abruptly and torque converter causes shudder at highway speeds. Truck has been serviced twice for the same issue by dealer and dealer recently told me problem is unresolvable.

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #10

Sep 012017

Sierra 1500

  • 0 miles

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

Constant vibration and or shake at speeds between 60-70 mph. This issue is commonly referred to as the "Chevy shake" this issue has been existing since first purchasing this vehicle. I addressed the concern with the dealership during multiple visits for service. As this was my first full size truck, I wasn't sure what to expect regarding how the vehicle would ride at highway speeds. I was told by the service department that the vehicle was in tolerance in regards to how it rode and the constant vibration. So I excepted this as being the norm and went ahead to add some modifications to my truck. Since the initial complaint the service department has since turned over most of their staff and added people willing to address and acknowledge that my vehicle indeed has this vibration/shake issue. Due to the modifications made they will not address or attempt to correct this issue. Had I pressed the issue in the beginning and not accepted what these so called professionals had told me to be acceptable maybe I wouldn't be in this predicament. My vehicle has also been in for numerous bucket seat issues from sagging and poor seat support. Everything described here is factual as I have all the service records and history with the same GMC dealership and service department in regards to these problems. Long story short, these issues have made long distance trips almost unbearable between the constant shaking and poor seat support.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #9

Sep 212018

Sierra 1500

  • 31,000 miles
Transmission - when driving the vehicle it does a hard shift when accelerating and decelerating. I have taken the vehicle into the dealer twice. They are saying that is a "state of the art" computer that needs to be reset!!! I am taking it back in for a 3rd time. The care is 2 years old with 31K miles.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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problem #8

Mar 192018

Sierra 1500

  • 100 miles
Please make GM resolve the issues with the 8 speed transmissions in the trucks. 2016 slt Z71. I purchased the truck new. It's never shifted properly. Hesitations, clunking, jerking, shutter, hard down shifts.... everytime I take it in, they say it's due for an update. The truck has had 4 updates and none of them have fixed a thing. I had it in before the 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty was up and was told it was up to date. Then last week, I took it in and was told it was "several updates behind." (54, xxx) miles. To top it off, General Motors wouldn't pay for the $400 update, which didn't fix anything at all!!! the truck jerked before we got a block from the dealership. GM says that even though the truck is still under a factory 60,000 mile powertrain warranty, transmission updates aren't covered. The 120,000 extended warranty wouldn't cover it because they say it should be covered under the factory powertrain warranty! I absolutely love the truck other than the junk transmission in it. I don't think it's safe or much fun having a vehicle that starts to go then falls flat on its face for a few seconds before slamming into the next gear. This is a major problem with a huge number of trucks. Don't believe me" google "2016 Sierra transmission issue" or anything of the sort. You'll see. I'm really not asking for much. I didn't want to put my family in a potentially unsafe vehicle.....yet here we are. Like I said, I'm not asking for much. All I want is for my truck to shift normal. To go when it needs or has to. My truck has had 4 updates and was several updates behind last time, that's roughly an update every 10,000 miles and now they're not covered" on two separate occasions, it's shifted so hard that it jarred my neck and made it sore for a few days! ive even pulled over on the side of the road thinking we were rear-ended. So has my wife. Not safe-not necessary!

- Litchfield, IL, USA

problem #7

Feb 172018

Sierra 1500

  • 49,000 miles

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

On two separate occurrences, w/ family in the vehicle, starting speed at approx. 35mph, the accelerator (gas pedal) stuck to the floor during the process of passing another vehicle during city street driving. Top speed got to approx. 55mph, w/ stop lights fast approaching. The pedal simply would not release from full throttle until after the vehicle finally came to complete stop with brakes applied, shifter to neutral position, slamming the shifter to park, and ignition was turned off! had to take immediate and decisive emergency actions during both situations! the first time it occurred, thought perhaps the rubber floor mat may have contributed to this event; however, driver side floor mat was immediately removed. Several days later, during similar operations, the accelerator (gas pedal) again stuck to the floor board in full acceleration mode w/ family in the vehicle! currently have appointment set-up at a huntsville, al. GMC dealership. This truck was purchased brand new at laura Buick in collinsville, il. Although I realize there are other GMC customers; not sure why this huntsville, al dealership would not work me in sooner. This vehicle has approx. 49K miles and should still have warranty remaining until 68K miles. GMC service department rep. Stated, "Monday 26, February is first date available."

- Harvest, AL, USA

problem #6

Sep 072016

Sierra 1500

  • miles
8 speed transmission bucks, hesitates, lurches forward, clunks, while in drive. The Continental tires are cupping, which GM says is characteristic of the brand. The truck vibrates while at 25mph, around 50mphm and 65-75mph. While in AWD/4WD at 30 and 50mph, the driveline makes a whining noise and vibrates sometimes.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #5

May 192016

Sierra 1500

  • 150 miles
GM 8 speed transmission is full of problem. It constantly hesitates, hang gears, bucks, and poses various safety concerns. For instance if merging onto the highway the transmission will hesitate and the truck will be unresponsive to gas pedal input for a period of time sometimes up to 12 secs. This hesitation causes a safety concern when attempting to merge into traffic. GM acknowledges these concerns but states that it is operating as designed but are working on software updates to improve transmission performance. This has been a constant issue since I purchased the truck.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

problem #4

Feb 212017

Sierra 1500

  • 16,500 miles
Periodically 3 times a week, while driving, the stabiliztrak illuminates and drivability declines, engine check light illums, the gear remains in a low gear without shifting. Turn the ignition off for a couple seconds and it clears and the engine light goes out after 25-35 miles. Sometime it doesn't reset after 3 attempts of turning off and on the ignition. The codes are P0700 a U0100 with others when dealership analyzed. Three times it was in the GMC shop and three times giving back and problem still existed. I recorded on video and gave it to the dealership as proof.

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

problem #3

Jul 182016

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 150 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. When the shifter was engaged, the vehicle did not register the correct gear and failed to move. When the vehicle did recognize the correct gear, it accelerated unintentionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and parts in the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150. Updated 10/18/16

- Derby, IN, USA

problem #2

Jan 072016

Sierra 1500

  • 100 miles
This vehicle suffers from the notorious Chevy shakes that is aflicting 2014/2015/2016 GM 1500S. I returned truck one business day after buying it for shaking problems. The shaking/vibrating was felt in the steering wheel, gas pedal, and seat of your pants. They said tires were out of balance. Picked up truck to find it still did it the next time out at high way speeds 55-70 mph. 2nd trip to the dealer for shaking they said tires needed balanced and I had 1 bad tire they replaced. Took truck on another highway trip and problem was still there, shaking same as listed above. 3rd trip to dealer fror same thing, they said tire they installed as a replacement was bad? replaced tire and said truck is fixed. Took truck on highway same speeds still shakes. Vibrating/shaking steering wheel numbs your hands while driving an hour or more on freeway, shakes felt from seat make my 12 year old daughter feel like shes going to throw up if she doesnt get out of truck, wife gets headaches from it and on 2 trips of 2.5 hrs in duration I was physically ill and had to go to bed. The shaking vibrating is like riding upon a massage chair or vibrating motel bed, its horrible. On line there are published articles easily found if you google Chevy shakes and just read the complaints. Ive submitted the required 4th repair attempt to GM before I can and will lemon law mine but a much bigger preoblem is going on that isnt being looked at with these trucks. www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/03/the-mysterious-Chevy-shake-is-affecting-pickup-trucks-now-too.html

- St. Cloud, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 222016

Sierra 1500

  • 900 miles
Vehicle shakes & vibrates at speed I & other owners are reporting that condition leads to headaches, dizziness, and nausea. This truck is a replacement for a 2014 that exhibited same issues. 2014 was traded for 2016 with $$ assistance from GM when they did admit there was no fix for vibration issues. Apparently vibration issues affect 2014, 2015, and now 2016 models. Dealers are flooded with complaints and vehicles in for repair, but there is no repair available. GM is quietly doing buy backs or offering trade assistance. My 2016 is currently in the shop. GM factory reps have confirmed that my truck does suffer vibration issues. This issue also affects the Chevy Silverado, Chevy Tahoe, and GMC Yukon. This is what GM built with tax payer money! I have detailed service reports for 2014 truck as well as correspondence from

- Atlanta, GA, USA

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