2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

127 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 27% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 58,989 mi.

Brakes complaints
127
Crashes
10
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Related recalls
4
Median mileage
58,989 mi

Specific components reported

Brakes covers: Service brakes (hydraulic, electric, air), ABS and parking brake.

ComponentComplaints
Service brakes117
Service brakes, hydraulic9
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum2

Brakes complaints across Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years

52005552007142009162011752013112154201512715520179415720191144520215624202311620259
Brakes complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

4Under 10k410k–30k2030k–60k1760k–100k7100k–150k2150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 19V761000Oct 24, 2019652,967 vehicles
    ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

    Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

  • Recall 19V645000Sep 6, 20193,456,719 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

  • Recall 18V578000Aug 30, 201842,280 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.

    Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.

  • Recall 16V069000Feb 5, 2016430,771 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.

    Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jul 13, 2026MNCrashBrakesElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Vehicle suffered a failure cascade of the brake booster vacuum pump system. During a low-speed bumper collision on July 4 and a boat ramp slide, the pedal triggered abnormal ABS-like pulsing as the computer tried to hydraulically compensate for dropping vacuum pressure. This resulted in truck front bumper damage and boat trailer fender damage. On July 10, total failure occurred in a drive-thru, rendering the pedal rock-hard and sopping mear impossible. All marked parts and…
    NHTSA complaint #11750018 · source
  2. Filed Mar 20, 2026175,446 miALBrakes
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal failed to function properly and felt spongy while attempting to depress the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously received a brake system software update under an unknown recall, which was completed by the dealer. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11725838 · source
  3. Filed Dec 9, 2025139,000 miNEBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked unexpectedly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal became inoperable. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11704101 · source
  4. Filed Oct 16, 2025TXCrashBrakes
    I was pulling up behind a vehicle that was entering the highway when I noticed that the driver had to yield to oncoming traffic and did not continue driving. I applied my brakes, but the vehicle did not come to a complete stop, and as a result, I struck the vehicle in front of me. My safety was put at risk, as this could have resulted in a major accident. Additionally, my car insurance premiums increased because of this incident. I was never informed about the recall, nor…
    NHTSA complaint #11693936 · source
  5. Filed Jul 28, 2025GABrakes
    For the last month or so, occasionally when I am going anywhere around 30-60 and I press the brakes, the vehicle will lose power for a few seconds and Stabilitrak is activated. It has locked up the brakes twice in the last 2 weeks when I was parking and could have caused an accident and if it happens when I am driving, I worry that it will cause an accident. I did some research and saw that there is a recall on my year and model. The symptoms it describes are exactly what my…
    NHTSA complaint #11676829 · source
  6. Filed Jul 15, 2025TNCrashBrakes
    There is a recall (N182202780) for certain models of gm apparently, but my truck does not fall under the recall though it is the same exact problem with the brake vacuum. When pumping my brake pedal, my brakes become almost non responsive, causing me to back into my secondary vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11673776 · source
  7. Filed Jun 15, 2025NCBrakes
    We had a auto shop do work and left are breaks lose And they do not tighten bolts both break calibers were lose and according to the lawyer we spoke with they do not have a business licenses Triad Transmission & Auto Repair 244 NC-22, Ramseur, NC 27316 Junior akins and John kearns
    NHTSA complaint #11667055 · source
  8. Filed May 12, 2025NJBrakes
    Vacuum pump intermittent failure. Not always but during periods of traffic the brakes get stiff and I have a service brake assist notification come on. Then it goes away and all braking is functional and fine
    NHTSA complaint #11660313 · source
  9. Filed May 9, 2025WIBrakes
    ABS system and trailer brakes lights on dashboard come on and until the truck is off and sits for awhile the abs will start working again. Have had several shops look at it and have heard several different things. Started with the cheaper side of things and still no luck for a solution.
    NHTSA complaint #11660088 · source
  10. Filed Mar 2, 2025VABrakesEngine
    The 2016 silverado LTZ 5.3L flex fuel lifters went out at 83k miles. I was left standed and had to be towed. I have researched that this is a known GM issue with the 5.3L motors, but I was told because I was outside the warranty that I had to pay the $8000 repair bill for a new motor. This is one a GM issue and a safety issue because I had sudden no power while I was driving and with no warning. The second issue is that the brakes have a serious shake and vibration that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11645804 · source
  11. Filed Feb 18, 2025ALBrakes
    While tapping brakes to park in tight spaces or inching up in a drive thru, the brake pedal shudders and gets stiff. It's extremely hard to stop the truck.
    NHTSA complaint #11643424 · source
  12. Filed Oct 28, 2024GABrakes
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and remained at the dealer for several days. The contact was informed that the recall could not be completed. The contact was informed that several repairs needed to be completed prior to the recall repair being…
    NHTSA complaint #11622344 · source

Other 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problem areas

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology