2016 GMC Sierra 1500 steering problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
30 owners have reported steering problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 14% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 66,000 mi.
- Steering complaints
- 30
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Related recalls
- 0
- Median mileage
- 66,000 mi
Specific components reported
Steering covers: Power steering, steering column and wheel, loss of steering assist.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | 30 |
Steering complaints across GMC Sierra 1500 years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
No recalls on file.
What owners say
- Filed Oct 2, 2026ARSteering
Steering tried returning to center loss of electrical power service stabilitrack message service brake assist message engine tried to die had to disconnect battery to reset.
NHTSA complaint #11768638 · source - Filed Jul 30, 2025ILElectrical SystemSteering
Loose steering and sometimes steering wheel wants to return to center When this happens I loose all electrical - dash goes blank engine dies etc. the hot battery cable is very hot to the touch. I disconnected the ground cable and wait a few minutes and power returns This is going to cause a wreck if it is not corrected Local dealer says could be bad battery I had already changed it there is a place to say when this occurred it has happened several times over the last year…
NHTSA complaint #11677146 · source - Filed May 6, 2025MOElectrical SystemSteering
While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous — especially if it were to happen while driving. It’s very upsetting that…
NHTSA complaint #11659400 · source - Filed May 6, 2025MOElectrical SystemSteering
While attempting to park my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 at less than 5 mph, the steering wheel suddenly jerked on its own, the StabiliTrak warning light turned on, the dashboard flickered, and the entire electrical system briefly shut off. The anti-theft light also came on during this incident. After restarting the vehicle, it temporarily returned to normal, but this kind of malfunction is extremely dangerous — especially if it were to happen while driving. It’s very upsetting that…
NHTSA complaint #11659399 · source - Filed Feb 25, 2025137,000 miILEngineSteering
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a sharp turn, the steering wheel seized, the vehicle lost motive power, stalled, and shut off. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the ECM was losing power and that further testing was needed to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.…
NHTSA complaint #11644858 · source - Filed Oct 31, 2024KSElectrical SystemSteering
While driving and making a turn at slower speeds, such as parking lots or intersections, the entire dash cluster including the radio screen will go black. The steering will completely lock up and jerk back to the opposite direction. At the same time the Park assist, stability control keeps flashing on and off. Sometimes the truck will shut off and then tell you to roll down the driver window and roll it back up. It is random and you never know when it is going to do it. The…
NHTSA complaint #11622902 · source - Filed Aug 15, 2024WAElectrical SystemEngineSteering
I have a 2016 GMC 1500 Sierra Denali and experiencing a very scary problem that has suddenly developed with this vehicle. As I am parking or in a slow turn, the vehicle completely looses all power [engine, electronics, brakes, etc..] and the steering wheel jerks out of my hands and then a second or 2 later it comes back on and then repeated 2 more times as I was attempting to park. I had this happen while turning into a parking spot at the store. Then the next day it did it…
NHTSA complaint #11608843 · source - Filed Jul 29, 202490,200 miMISteering
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the power steering assist became inoperable. While driving at slow speeds, the power steering assist was intermittently inoperable. The power steering warning light was illuminated was intermittently inoperable. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 90,200.
NHTSA complaint #11605044 · source - Filed Jun 12, 202461,000 miLASteering
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle, after which the steering wheel jerked to center independently. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure,…
NHTSA complaint #11593871 · source - Filed Oct 17, 2023CASteering
Lost power steering at low speed, radio, ac and power to screen shuts off. Once the wheel is turned to the middle the power comes back on. Ive fixed this issue already last year and now again its happened a year later, they say now at 65,000 it is a rack and pinion when last year they said it was the battery.
NHTSA complaint #11550377 · source - Filed Aug 29, 2023SCElectrical SystemSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain
The electrical system keeps throwing a code for short to ground as well as low voltage codes. The voltage gauge on the dash shows either over charging or under charging. The in dash radio and screen shut off and turns back on by itself while driving down the road. Occasionally while backing up or pulling forward the truck completely stalls. The transmission was subject to the shudder issue, we took it to King Cadillac in Lake City, SC for the transmission flush. After the…
NHTSA complaint #11541501 · source - Filed Jun 20, 2023NMElectrical SystemSteering
When trying to turn, the wheel will lock and jerk in the opposite direction, at the same time my dash will say service stabilitrack and my radio screen turns black and the air conditioner/heater turns off. The car looses all power and the ability to turn the wheel in any direction
NHTSA complaint #11527959 · source
Other 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 problem areas
- Transmission & Drivetrain (57)
- Brakes (54)
- Electrical System (46)
- Engine (38)
- Other / Unknown (23)
- Visibility & Wipers (9)
- Airbags (8)
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (6)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (6)
- Suspension (5)
- Seats & Seat Belts (5)
- Body & Structure (5)
- Acceleration & Cruise Control (3)
- Wheels & Tires (2)
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