2016 GMC Sierra 1500 transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Apr 7, 2026INBrakesTransmission & Drivetrain

   1- transmission issue, it’ll occasionally slip from 1-2 gear and engine rpm’s will shoot up making it when you release the gas pedal it’ll kick into second gear it’ll also do minor kicks into other gears (8l90 transmission) 2- breaks issue, unsure of what the problem is but at very low speeds like parking or going in slow traffic the break pedal will get really hard making you have to press extra hard for it to break, releasing and pressing again doesn’t help either

   NHTSA complaint #11729705 · source
2. Filed Mar 19, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   since we have had this truck the transmission has not worked right to where no longer works plus we have paperwork from other dealship have said this truck should have never been sold to us by the other deal they told us this truck has a lot of issues and is not road safe we where told by that dealer they cant help us so we need help with this the truck don't even have 100,000 on it the truck also pulls to the light sometimes and sometimes to the right .....

   NHTSA complaint #11725474 · source
3. Filed Jul 14, 202566,456 miARTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding, shuddered, and made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with torque converter clutch shudder and failure. The dealer determined that the torque converter clutch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and…

   NHTSA complaint #11673287 · source
4. Filed May 12, 2025IATransmission & Drivetrain

   Truck has 8L90 transmission, has recently started shuddering at speeds from 65-75 and higher, I am experiencing issues with occasional hard shifts from 1st to 2nd gear, and 2 days ago experienced a very hard shift around 30-40mph when it slammed it made the tires chirp. 85k miles.

   NHTSA complaint #11660438 · source
5. Filed Mar 18, 2025MATransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle sluggish upon acceleration. Transmission downshifts unexpectedly. Vehicle continues to rev bounce at steady acceleration and when driving at speed without acceleration.

   NHTSA complaint #11648953 · source
6. Filed Mar 16, 2025MITransmission & Drivetrain

   6 speed auto transmission issue with shuttering and will intermittingly sounds like when you drive over the groves on the side of the highway and sometimes hard shiffting between lower gears . It has same issue as being already report with gmc transmission . I have taken truck to local buick dealership and have them flush fluids and replace filter . Issue has reaccurred . Trans does not slip forward or revers .

   NHTSA complaint #11648547 · source
7. Filed Feb 26, 2025COTransmission & Drivetrain

   My transmission jerks randomly. It's done it since it's been brand new. When it does it, it is usually when it deaccellerates. I don't know if it's dangerous but I was hoping they had a fix for it by now.

   NHTSA complaint #11644958 · source
8. Filed Nov 17, 2024FLBody & StructureElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   Paint bubbling on roof. When turning on key, the radio makes a loud buzzing sound. On 11/16/2024, when leaving a traffic light, the truck began surging and shuddering. Tachometer was revving up and down like the transmission was slipping with loss of power while trying to take off and accelerate. While attempting to return home, loud booming noise was coming in from under floorboard. I was unsure if I would make it home before the transmission totally failed. People were…

   NHTSA complaint #11625737 · source
9. Filed Nov 5, 2024165,000 miMNTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting to drive (D), the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle also lunged forward while depressing the brake pedal with the transmission downshifting. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined…

   NHTSA complaint #11623688 · source
10. Filed Oct 12, 2024SDTransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission began to shift hard at 55 miles per hour on Highway. Then when I got to a parking lot it began shifting hard and also in reverse.

    NHTSA complaint #11619493 · source
11. Filed Sep 9, 2024ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle has been in the dealership from where it was bought numerous of times for the same problem. Transmission shifts very hard from one to two and Has lots of slippage. Dealer recommended a transmission flush and it did not fix the problem. They would keep telling me that the transmission is normal for slipping and slamming hard while changing gears. I’ve been to multiple shops and nobody seems to know how to give me a correct answer or guide me on how to fix my…

    NHTSA complaint #11613374 · source
12. Filed Jul 2, 2024130,000 miRITowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped moving very slowly and came to a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under warranty twice. The manufacturer was made aware…

    NHTSA complaint #11598310 · source

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