Home · 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 · Complaints

What 65 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500

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 (65)Crash / fire / injury (4)Steering (15)Electrical system (11)Brakes (10)Fuel system (10)Engine (9)Airbags (5)Tires (3)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (2)Fuel System, Diesel (2)Lights (2)

Newest first · 65 complaints · page 1 of 3

Jul 2, 2026Electrical system

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 The CCT representative told me that my hardware was outdated and could not support the update.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

Feb 23, 2026Electrical system

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

Aug 2, 2025Fuel system

CP4 injection pump failure while driving nearly causing vehicle collision.

NHTSA ODI 11677925

Jun 19, 2025Fuel system

The CP4 pump failed while driving causing vehicle to stall. Upon failure, lost power to steering. Luckily we were on an access road for a rest area and not yet on the interstate. This resulted in a 14.5 thousand repair. No prior warning to pump failure. GM has recently settled a class action related to this pumps failure and has never recalled trucks with this pump to avoid failure.

NHTSA ODI 11668022

Jun 10, 2025Fuel system

My vehicles High Pressure Fuel Pump failed causing the vehicle to shutoff while driving. In addition, due to the engine shutting down while driving, the power steering quit working causing me to not be able to steer the vehicle. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11666095

May 14, 2025EngineFuel system

My 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine suffered a complete engine shutdown—an issue that is both hazardous and expensive to repair. Fortunately, mine failed in a parking lot. No warning lights or symptoms were present. Failure is instantaneous and can occur any time rendering the vehicle inoperable on high-speed highways, Intersections, etc. Failure always leaves vehicle occupants stranded, creating an unsafe and dangerous situation. My vehicle was towed to a GMC dealer. Repair costs could be as high as $15,000. The 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine is equipped with a Bosch ‘CP4’ high-pressure fuel pump. These pumps are unreasonably fragile and prone to catastrophic failure causing instant contamination of the entire fuel system with metal shavings. General Motors has agreed to pay $35 million to settle with owners following a class action lawsuit that accused the company of installing defective Bosch CP4 high-pressure fuel pumps in certain Chevrolet and GMC pickup models. This action covered only owners in California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, or Texas.

NHTSA ODI 11660921

May 3, 2025EngineFuel system

Motor stopped dead while driving on a local Interstate Hwy. Was able to negotiate the truck out of traffic without crashing. Not an easy thing to do in speeding rush hour traffic. Had the truck towed to a reputable repair shop and discovered the CP4 fuel pump had failed and shattered throughout the fuel system. Repairs in the amount of $13,520.30 incurred to get the truck back in service. The attached invoice includes $167.87 for other maintenance not related to the CP4 fuel pump repair. This is a known problem and safely hazard. A class action suit settlement is related to the CP4 fuel pump against multiple truck manufacturers. # [XXX] and can be found at [XXX] . Minnesota is not included in the class action and GM will not address my complaint. Why has this KNOWN safety issue not resulted in a recall? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11658680

Oct 25, 2024Electrical systemAirbagsCrash

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

Aug 24, 2024Fuel system

My high pressure fuel pump, cp4, went out with no warning while driving causing me to lose power. Was able to bring truck to stop safely but was stuck in middle of roadway.

NHTSA ODI 11610634

May 24, 2024Fuel System, Diesel

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, an alert of "50% fuel range remaining" message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated afterwards while attempting to make a right turn the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who advised contact the fuel pump needed to be replaced due to metal fragments entering the oil tank. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11590577

May 15, 2024AirbagsCrash

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. The contact stated that while driving at 64 MPH, he crashed head-on with a 350-pound deer. The deer went underneath the vehicle, and the driver ran over it with the passenger front tire. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. The air bag warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries or fire. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive away from the crash. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 85,379. Additionally, while driving in the snow, a motorcycle crashed into the rear of his vehicle. The driver-side front air bag did not deploy. There was an abnormal sizzling sound, and smoke was detected. There were no warning lights illuminated, There were no reported injuries, fore or police report. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11588953

Feb 23, 2024Electrical system

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

Jul 20, 2023Engine

Vehicle is a Duramax Diesel engine with a CP4 fuel pump. The pump went out and the entire line/system has to be replaced. While driving the vehicle it lurched, made a noise then went to reduced power mode and shut off. Luckily we had just pulled off from a stop sign, if that happened and the speed of 55 it could of been far worse. Then engine would not restart and had to have vehicle towed.

NHTSA ODI 11533452

Jul 20, 2023Fuel system

Fuel system failure

NHTSA ODI 11533481

Jul 11, 2023Brakes

Trailer brake system continues to pop up “service.”

NHTSA ODI 11531600

May 24, 2023Wheels

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while refueling, he became aware that the front passenger's side wheel bearing was missing the nut and washers. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal jingling sound while driving at approximately 20-30 MPH. The contact, an independent mechanic, replaced one nut and three washers on the front passenger's side wheel bearing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ODI 11523640

Jan 23, 2023Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

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

Jan 6, 2023Electrical systemBrakes

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

Dec 2, 2022Fuel System, Diesel

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled inadvertently, almost causing a crash. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she was able to veer to the side of the road by dodging traffic. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had exploded and projected metal fragments throughout the high-pressure fuel system. The vehicle was repaired at the owner’s expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a partial reimbursement would be made. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11495766

Nov 14, 2022EngineFuel system

While Pulling 35' 5th Wheel down freeway, a message appeared in instrument panel telling me the fuel filter was at 0 percent and was going into low power mode. There happend to be an offramp there that I was able to get off the freeway. While making the turn on the offramp the truck died. I pulled over as far as i could whie coasting with no power steering or brakes, leaving truck & trailer partially blocking the offramp. Unable to start the vehicle, I Immediatly contacted Onstar and they dispatched the CHP & tow truck. When CHP arrived he asked when tow truck would be there. Without being able to confirm exactly, and due to safety concerns because of blocking the offramp, he called his own tow truck (Rons Towing) and forced me to move vehicle to safe location. The issue ended up being the injector fuel pump (CP4) that GM was well aware of going out and sending metal fragments throughout the fuel system. I've been told the pump was made in China and not to GM standards. The vehicle has been repaired, all work was covered under extended warrenty, This all could have been avoided if GM would have replaced the faulty fuel pump under recall. Had this happened 100 miles further on our trip we would have been going over Pacheco Pass in Calif. Could have been a total disaster had we been going down the other side with No Power Steering & No Power Brakes pulling a 12,000 lb Trailer in the Dark.

NHTSA ODI 11493553

Aug 11, 2022Suspension

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70- 85 mph, the vehicle was shaking. The stability track warning indicator light was illuminated and flashing on and off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478795

Aug 5, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

As I was backing into my parking spot I heard a bag then the engine light came on, after that it wasn’t shifting correctly, had it checked out and was told the transmission has to be replaced the mechanic said that this transmission is known to be defective it’s only a 2016 I feel there should be a recall could have been a disaster on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11477738

May 26, 2022Brakes

Service trailer brake system warning over amd over

NHTSA ODI 11466299

May 15, 2022Fuel system

Engine stalled due to fuel pump failure. Dealer had to replace entire fuel system

NHTSA ODI 11464713

Mar 24, 2022Steering

2016 Denali 2500 Diesel - Loose steering, like many of the others complaining. I only have 13,000 miles on the truck since I don't drive it during Ohio winters (salt) and use it to tow my 6500 lb boat. Doesn't feel safe at all when towing. The dealer explained both the pitman and idler arm were worn. $1500 repair bill. Very frustrating that GM doesn't cover this potential safety related issue regarding vehicle control/stability. Several versions of Technical Service Bulletin's exist #PIT5501D as an example.

NHTSA ODI 11458224

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Working with the data? Download all 65 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 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 GMC Sierra 2500 verdict →