Home · 2016 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 12 Pass · Complaints

What 20 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 12 Pass

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (20)Crash / fire / injury (3)Brakes (4)Body & structure (3)Electrical system (3)Engine (2)Fuel system (2)Steering (2)Suspension (2)Driver assistance (1)Engine & cooling (1)Seat belts (1)

Newest first · 20 complaints

Jan 7, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Express. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the “Service Engine” warning light flashed on and off. The contact stated that after arriving to the residence and shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the Progressive Snapshot device had caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired, and the Snapshot device was removed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11634601

Sep 17, 2024Speed controlCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Low Cab Forward truck. The contact stated that an employee had started the vehicle while parked and placed the vehicle in drive (D), the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into 2 vehicles parked in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact stated that the employee had not noticed any warning lights. The contact stated that his vehicle had crashed into the front ends of the 2 vehicles and had crushed the hoods front bumper and grills on both vehicles and had pushed both vehicles aside. The contact stated that his vehicle had sustained damage to the driver and passenger side front doors and fenders as well as damage to the front bumper and grill. The police were called, and a report was written. The contact's employee was not injured. The other 2 vehicles were not occupied. The contact stated that the other two vehicles were towed away. The contact stated that his employee was able to drive his vehicle back to his business. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V797000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 11614988

Apr 1, 2024BrakesDriver assistance

ABS Module Broken. Needs repair. No part available. Part Number 84055065 needed. Vehicle was on highway slowed on to onramp when ABS went off for no reason. Van Pulled to right drastically.

NHTSA ODI 11580460

Aug 1, 2023TiresEngine & cooling

LT245/75R16 The fist tire failure was rear driver's side which caused a code service stable trac- this caused the vehicle to lose power and engine to die. I made home at 20mph in yraffic.I spent $500 for diagnostic check and new tire. The tire is misshapen and alerts sensor that caused engine to lose power and ultimately die. With new tire the problem was solved. But then the rear passenger tire while on the freeway acted up and caused the van to shake and rattle violently. Drove home at lower speed . I replace that tire with the spare which is a different brand and the van ran fine. Checked the bad tire and it is higher on one side than the other. Checked front tires and there are flat spots and irregularities on both tires

NHTSA ODI 11535732

Mar 2, 2022BrakesFire

I'd be driving down the street when my brakes would apply by them selves slowing my car down . after that my dash would bong and the ABS light would come on . I took it to my Chevy dealer and they replaced the brakes and said it was fixed . I pulled out of the dealers lot and was driving at 35MPH when the brakes locked and a skidded to a stop . If I hadn;t been buckled in I would have gone thru the windshield . I held the gas pedal to the floor and returnd to the dealer at about 20 MPH and some salesman came running out and said my van was on fire .I got out of my van but I didn't see any fire but there was heavy smoke coming from around the brakes . THE cHEVY DEALER HAD MY VAN APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS AND SAID THEY REPAIRED IT TWICE MORE , bUT EVERYTIME i PICKED IT UP THE BRAKES WOULD GO ON A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY AND i WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK . I have been driving the car because the chevy dealer says they can't get the ABS Module to fix it and I can't drive more than a mile or so from home because the brakes apply themselves and I'm afraid the car will break down or catch on fire . I need a safe car to drive and the chevy dealer says they can't fix it because they can't get the part .

NHTSA ODI 11454858

Feb 18, 2022BrakesFire

I'd be driving down the street and the brakes would start applying themselves by themselves . I took the van to Ganly Chevrolet the first time and they did a brake job and said it was fixed . I drove it about a half mile and was doing about 35MPH when the brakes locked , if I wasn't buckled in I probably would have gone through the window . I immediately took it back by putting the gas pedal to the floor . you could smell and see the brakes burning . later Ganly said I needed a Brake Module and kept the car After about 6months of having my Van . they finally admitted they couldn't get a Brake Module and they had been on back order for about a year and didn't know if they would ever get one Later they called me and said they found a loose wire and my van was fixed again . I picked the Van up again and while driving home the brakes started stopping me again and my dash board started boinging and my ABS light came on . To this day if I drive it more than a mile my brakes grab , my dash starts boinging , my van shakes and my ABS light comes on and I must atep on the gas to get where I have to go and all this has happened since I paid Ganly Chevrolet approximately $2500.00 for fixing my Van this started in July of 3021 and is still going on .

NHTSA ODI 11452869

Aug 8, 2020Steering

AT 54,000 MILES, NOTICED 2-3 INCHES IN PLAY IN THE STEERING WILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NOW THAT THE STEERING HAS LOOSENED, IT IS A CONTINUAL ISSUE. I HAVE NOT HAD IT DIAGNOSED YET. HOWEVER, IN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN ERROR. AS THIS IS DANGEROUS. THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE GM TO ISSUE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11344061

Feb 27, 2020Electrical system

PROBLEM: POWER WINDOW WOULDN'T WORK, REAR DEFROSTER WOULD NOT WORK, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THE RELAYS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WERE REPLACED. UPON TAKING THE RELAYS APART , I FOUND THAT THEY WERE RUSTED INSIDE AND THE RUST WAS FLAKING OFF. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WOULD NOT COVER RUSTED PARTS.THE REPRESENTATIVE ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE RELAYS FAILING.THERE ARE TEN OF THESE RELAYS IN THIS VEHICLE AND FOUR HAVE FAILED DUE TO RUST. THERE IS NO WAY TO TEST THE REMAINING UNITS FOR RUST UNTIL THEY FAIL. THIS IS A REAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11311860

Feb 11, 2020Fuel system

2016 SILVERADO DURAMAX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CP4 FAILURE. *LD *JS

NHTSA ODI 11308190

Dec 9, 2019SteeringSuspensionWheels

I REPORTED TO MY DEALER CHARPER CHEVROLET NOV. 2018,I HAD ROUGHLY 23K MILES,THAT MY 2016 CHEVY 3500 HAD DEVELOPED A WOBBLE, SHAKE WHATEVER YOU COULD CALL IT. THEY INVESTIGATED AND TOLD ME MY TIRES POSSIBLY HAD BROKEN BELTS THE TIRES HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT. I WAS TOLD IF I COULD DEAL WITH THE SHAKE TILL I GET NEW TIRES SO BE IT. I RODE THEM TILL JULY 2019 GOT 6 NEW MICHELIN 235/80/17 LTX A/T2 TIRE PACKAGE. THEY RODE OK STILL HAD A LITTLE SHAKE TO START THEN IT GOT WORSE THE MORE I DROVE. LET ME SAY IT NEVER SHOOK ALL THE TIME IT WOULD COME AND GO. SOMETIMES WHEN I HEADED FOR WORK IN THE MORNING SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE OTHER TIMES NOTHING. WHEN GOING AROUND BENDS SHAKE SHAKE THEN NOTHING. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND NEEDS ATTENTION. MY DEALER WANT TO INVESTIGATE MORE BUT I AM BEING ASKED TO FUND THE INVESTIGATION. WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? PLEASE ADVISE ME. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ODI 11287854

Nov 25, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MISFIRING AND HESITATING. AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED SINCE MAY OF 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GEORGE KELL MOTORS INC (3808S VAN DYKE RD, NEWPORT, AR 72112) FOUR TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, TORQUE CONVERTER, FUEL INJECTORS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND MUFFLER; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI 11282142

Oct 8, 2019

FRONT A/C SWITCH TO TURN A/C OFF AND ON AND ALSO TO GO FROM DASH VENT TO FLOOR VENTS AND DEFROST WILL NOT GO TO ANYTHING BUT FRONT VENTS...

NHTSA ODI 11267145

Mar 7, 2019Electrical systemBody & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS LEAKING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR CONNECTION. WATER ALSO LEAKED ONTO THE CONTACT AND THE FLOOR. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO LEAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAWYER CHEVROLET (351 W BRIDGE ST, CATSKILL, NY 12414, (518) 291-4586) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW WI-FI ANTENNA GASKET NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT FAILED AGAIN DAYS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11184855

Jan 27, 2019Brakes

BOUGHT A NEW 2016 CHEV 3500 DULY DIESEL TRUCK. AT ABOUT 14K MILES WE FOUND BRAKE FLUID AND HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO SHOP. THEY FIXED FOR FREE. ABOUT 7K MILES AFTER THE BREAKS TOTALLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. AT 26K FOUND FLUID AGAIN BUT IN THE BACK. SHOP BLAMED BREAK PADS SAID NO KNOWN ISSUES. FIXED BACK BRAKES. 37K FLUID EVERYWHERE AND BRAKES TOTALLY OUT. GM NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. LARGE TRUCK ON ROAD THAT BRAKES HAVE FAILED FOUR TIMES. TOTAL BREAK FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES CAN NOT BE NORMAL

NHTSA ODI 11172394

Aug 15, 2018Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAYWARD MITSUBISHI (25601 MISSION BLVD, HAYWARD, CA 94544, (510) 999-5999) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION KEY COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO AGAIN STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE THE IGNITION KEY; THEREFORE, A NEW KEY SHOULD BE MADE FOR THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11120207

Nov 7, 2017Suspension

VEHICLE BOUNCES WHEN TRAVELLING ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE. I.E., CONCRETE BRIDGE OR OVERPASS. THIS CONDITION IS MORE PREVALENT WHEN TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS UNWILLING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, STATING THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY CANNOT FIX IT. IN CONTRAST WE HAVE TWO OLDER CHEVROLET VANS THAT DO NOT EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOT PRESENTLY IN SERVICE AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. CHEVROLET HAD OPENED A COMPLAINT UNDER THE NUMBER 8-3011733484 FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER & SUPPLY CO.,INC. THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WAS PAM SAUNDERS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER & SUPPLY CO.,INC. THE OWNER OF THE VAN. THE DEALER, BANNER CHEVROLET, HAS MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BUT NOW SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS AND SPRINGS, ALSO PAID TO HAVE AN ADDITIONAL LEAF SPRING INSTALLED, ALL TO NO REMEDY. THE LAST ACTION, REPLACING THE FRONT SPRINGS, WAS DONE WITHOUT MY CONSENT OR KNOWLEDGE AND ACTUALLY MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE. NOW, THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING MORE. I HAVE CONSULTED AN ATTORNEY BUT THIS HAS NOT PRODUCED MUCH IN THE WAY OF A REMEDY. SO, WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING INSURANCE AND A TRUCK NOTE ON A VEHICLE WE CANNOT USE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY EMPLOYEES OR MYSELF AT RISK OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11044046

Aug 29, 2016Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW TRUCK LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LINE SEPARATED, DUE TO A MISSING RETAINING CLIP. ALSO, TWO BRACKETS THAT WERE SUPPOSE TO ATTACH TO THE FUEL LINE WERE MISSING. UPDATED 10/25/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10899303

Aug 13, 2016Seat belts

THIS COMPLAINT IN REGARDS TO HOW GENERAL MOTORS HAS CONFISCATED MY NEW CAR!! MY RECENTLY PURCHASED (AND, PAID FOR) CHEVY SS HAS BEEN CONFISCATED BY GM DUE TO GM'S POORLY WORDED RECALL. I HAVE THE TITLE AND KEYS TO THE VEHICLE BUT DUE TO THE RECALL THAT EFFECTS MODEL YEARS 2014-2016, GM HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THEY CAN NOT RELEASE THE CAR TO ME UNTIL A PART HAS BEEN DESIGNED, MANUFACTURED, TESTED, AND SHIPPED TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION ON THESE MODELS!! THIS COULD TAKE MONTHS. IN THE MEANTIME: MY CAR IS SITTING ON THE DEALER'S STORAGE LOT IN VILLA PARK, ILLINOIS! EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED BY THIS SITUATION!! THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SEAT BELT, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NOT PERMITTED ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10895517

Jul 15, 2016Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE SLIDING DOOR WAS OPENED, THERE WAS NO LOCKING MECHANISM TO PROHIBIT THE SLIDING DOOR FROM CLOSING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE DOOR CLOSED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE AN EMPLOYEE WAS MAKING DELIVERIES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE GENERAL MOTORS FLEET COORDINATOR THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA ODI 10885075

Apr 26, 2016Body & structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DOOR CLOSED WITHOUT WARNING EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE DOOR WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI 10861589

Working with the data? Download all 20 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Chevrolet Express Passenger 3500 12 Pass verdict →