What 65 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 Hd

My HMI was "bricked" when onstar pushed an incompatible update when I changed the service plan. While driving the screen has intermittently turned off and on causing temporary unexpected loss of navigation functions, Bluetooth connectivity, and use of the back up camera. This causes a safety issue as the unexpected loss of display and connectivity has caused me to be unable to continue using hands free features during operation, and to no longer view behind the vehicle during entirety of backing. When I contacted OnStar support I was instructed to perform some troubleshooting and was then referred to the Connection Center Team. The CCT representative told me that my hardware was outdated and could not support the update. If a representative can confirm the problem retrospectivly, I think the representatives making changes to the service plan should also be able to proactively confirm incompatibility before causing the issue. There were no warnings. The issues first occured while I was driving on the day (6/25/26) my new plan began and the update was sent. I can make the HMI available for inspection upon request. I don't believe there is any actual issue with the hardware, just a negligent and incompatible software update.

NHTSA ODI 11747986

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The contact became aware of the failure when the horn failed to sound while locking the vehicle with the key fob. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11719983

The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would lose automotive power. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the negative battery was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 45 MPH, a deer ran into the middle of the roadway and impacted the front grill and bumper. The Service Air Bag warning light was illuminated. After the impact, the contact noticed smoke was leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the front driver-side and passenger-side air bags. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move forward or reverse after the impact. The contact stated that the front driver-side and passenger-side seat belts failed to retract or extend. The contact and her husband were able to unbuckle the seat belts and safely exit the vehicle in time. No injuries were sustained. No police reports or fire reports were filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and was towed to the contact's home where it remained for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621956

2016 GMC SIERRA SHARK FIN ANTENNA GETS WATER UNDER AND DESTROYS ONSTAR, NAVIGATION, AND COMPASS OPERATION. THIS IS RECALLED IN 2015 BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE 2016 THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11573594

I remote started my truck yesterday morning to get it warmed up before loading my family. They all then got into the truck, my 5 year old and 8 year old in the back seat in booster seats. I threw in some more bags into the back of the truck and started to climb into the truck. As I did that my kids were starting to get nervous and my wife was pointing and stating that the rear window slider was smoking. I put the key into the ignition and turned the key on. Upon doing that the smoke stopped but a few seconds later there was a loud bang, similar to a gun shot, and the rear passenger side window shattered. My 8 year old had glass hit her and my 5 year old was hysterical. Needless to say, the 5 hour drive home was not much fun for anyone after that occured.

NHTSA ODI 11503149

I am receiving an on-and-off “Service Trailer Brake System” when towing and sometimes when not towing. Checked every component and alert does not stop. When this happens while I’m towing, trailer brakes stop working momentarily.

NHTSA ODI 11500519

I keep getting a warning message "service trailer brake system". The warning may come on for a second or it may stay on for 10 to 15 minutes. It may do it once a month or 10 times in a 2 minute period. Whenever this happens I lose the electrical braking system on what I am towing. There is no set pattern or circumstance for when or how long it will happen. I was told if the alert is not on there is not a way to diagnose the problem and since I never know when it will happen I cannot schedule any type of diagnostic service. It does seem to happen more often when it is raining but has happened in perfect weather too. The warning has occurred both when I am towing and when I am not. I've done searches for possible causes and it seems to be a common problem. I regularly tow a 12,000 lb. fifth wheel RV with my family. I cannot afford to lose my ability to stop in a reasonable amount of time. I simply cannot do it when I lose my trailer braking system. The date below is the last incident.

NHTSA ODI 11436876

MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND I HAD THE ABS LIGHT STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT AS WELL AS MORE THAT CAME ON. THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALER AFTER THEY SAID IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE AND WAS. IT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS HAPPEND 4 TIMES ALREADY AND BEEN AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES I HAD IT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. MOST OF THE TIME IT RESTARTS BUT NOW IT DON'T

NHTSA ODI 11182586

ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE POWER TO THE TRUCK CUTS OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING. ON THE DASH THE STABILILOCK LIGHT FLASHES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE TURNING TO GET ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN MAIN ROADS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES, AND THE LAST TIME I WAS TURNING INTO MY BANKS DRIVE THROUGH AND HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE MEDIAN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP PATRIOT IN KILLEEN TEXAS AND THEY SAID THEY UPDATED THE SYSTEM AND FOUND NO ISSUES AND COULD NOT RECREATE THE ISSUE I SAID I WAS HAVING. THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS COULD BE DEADLY IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11176487

THE 7 WAY TRAILER PLUG ON THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD THE TRAILER PLUG FIRMLY, RESULTING IN THE PLUG COMING LOOSE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ONE OBVIOUS ISSUE IS THAT THE FLAP HOLDING THE PLUG IN IS UPSIDE DOWN FROM ANY OTHER CONFIGURATION I'VE SEEN, ALLOWING THE PLUG TO SAG. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK AS I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE LIGHTS AND EVEN THE TRAILER BRAKES HAVE STOPPED OPERATING WHILE IN TRANSIT , AFTER I GAVE VERIFIED THAT THEY WORKED WHEN I STARTED OUT. I THEN AM A HAZARD TO MY FELLOW MOTORISTS AND MY FAMILY. THIS TRAILER PLUG WORKED FLAWLESSLY WITH MY PREVIOUS TRUCK. GMS SOLUTIONS BLAME THE TRAILER OR PLUG, BUT GIVEN THE ORIENTATION OF THE PLUG AND THE NUMBER OF OWNERS THAT SEEM TO HAVE THIS ISSUE, I BELIEVE A BETTER SOLUTION SHOULD COME FROM THEM.

NHTSA ODI 10993347

WHILE DRIVING MY TRUCK, IT HAS HAD 3 ALERTS ON DASH FOR "SERVICE STABILITRAK, POWER STEERING USE CAUTION AND TRAILER BRAKE." VEHICLE GAUGES ALL DROP TO ZERO WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AND GO ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURS ALSO DISENGAGES FROM GEAR, VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC. THEN ENGINE REVS UP WHEN IT SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND GENERALLY GOES BACK IN GEAR AS GAUGES COME BACK ON. THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO ALSO LOSE SOME POWER. WHEN THIS OCCURS, IF YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL, YOU DO NOT GET ANY MORE POWER. THIS IS TECHNICALLY THE 6TH OCCURRENCE. IT HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER (GRIFFIN GMC OF MONROE, NC) AND COMPUTER CODES WERE CLEARED AND NOTHING REPORTED IE...TECHNICALLY FOUND THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS ISSUE PER THE DEALERSHIP AS UNABLE TO RE-PRODUCE THE CAUSE. I RETURNED THE TRUCK TODAY AFTER THIS 6TH OCCURRENCE DUE TO MY FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MY CHILDREN AND GETTING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS LAST OCCURRENCE OF DASHBOARD GAUGES AND SHARED THEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP. FIRST OCCURRENCE PICTURES ARE FEB 29, 2016 AND SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2016. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES ON ODOMETER. ENTIRE TIME, VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING ON LOCAL ROAD, EITHER AT STOP OR DRIVING BELOW 45MPH MOVING STRAIGHT AHEAD. I COULD NOT REPLICATE OR CAUSE THE ISSUE TO HAPPEN AGAIN ON PURPOSE, VERY RANDOM.

NHTSA ODI 10850797