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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is associated with 795 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 13 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Service Brakes, accounting for 211 reports (27% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 14 certified vehicle configurations spanning 4.3l 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-Cyl hybrid, 5.3l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 20 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 795 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 13 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Service Brakes (211 / 27%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 42 crash / 10 fire / 11 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 5 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 17–20 MPG across 14 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Silverado C15 2WD 4.3L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 18 MPG 23 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Silverado 15 Hybrid 2WD Hybrid 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 24 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Silverado C15 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Silverado C15 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Silverado K15 4WD 4.3L 6-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 17 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Silverado C15 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado K15 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado K15 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado 15 Hybrid 4WD Hybrid 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 16 MPG 21 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Silverado C15 Cab Chassis 2WD 5.3L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado C15 2WD 6.2L 8-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado K15 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado K15 Cab Chassis 4WD 5.3L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 6-spd 15 MPG 19 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Silverado K15 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
PU/RC 4WD 17.4%
PU/EC 4WD 17.9%
PU/CC 4WD 17.4%
Hybrid PU/CC RWD 17.9%
PU/RC RWD 17.9%
PU/EC RWD 17.4%
PU/CC RWD 17.9%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models.
View complete 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Summary of 795 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
795
Crash Reports
42
Fire Reports
10
Complaints w/ Injury
11
Total Injuries
16

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Service Brakes 211 complaints (20 crashes)
Powertrain 136 complaints (1 crash)
Steering 48 complaints (3 crashes)
Electrical System 38 complaints
Engine 33 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems & component breakdown (117 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #16V256000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
NHTSA Campaign #21V504000 Active Recall
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR

Defect Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM's number for this recall is N202324251.
NHTSA Campaign #21V245000 Active Recall
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Defect Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
View all 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls & campaign history (13 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is associated with 13 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

NHTSA records list 795 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Service Brakes, appearing in 211 filings (27% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earned an Overall Safety Rating of 5 out of 5 stars across 7 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 range from 17 to 20 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.