190 of the 1,050 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the transmission — 18% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 59,500 miles.
190
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission started shifting hard, shuddering in torque converter, and long time shifting into 1st gear. Took it to a Transmission guy and he said it needs a full rebuild and is very common with this Transmission in this truck.
NHTSA complaint #11739361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Had steering centering go out. Data cable pinched or broken somewhere in system and transmission got out. Also 4x4 system went out.
NHTSA complaint #11738003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
6L80 Automatic RWD Transmission and Torque Converter is dead. No warning lights or any indications that there was an issue. The RPM climbed and could not drive it in gear. Metal shavings found in fluid. 126,524 miles
NHTSA complaint #11730574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I was driving south on interstate 15 freeway I was on the 3 lane in the middle of the road I was driving around 65-70 mph when my 1500 Silverado 2016 loose engine power and started to slow down I couldn’t get out fast enough and I almost got hit by three cars because I was driving so slow I pulled over emergency lines and the truck didn’t even start
NHTSA complaint #11724492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11724207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
On road trip from mi to ny. No lights or warnings but transmission failed.we were able to get safely off highway into parking lot.Tried to have towed to chevy dealer but could not look at for days. Able to take to aamco & need to install new transmission in ohio!
NHTSA complaint #11723888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado1500. The contact stated that while driving at 48 MPH and driving uphill, the transmission downshifted and started sputtering. The contact pulled into a parking lot and attempted to troubleshoot the failure, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a torque converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11719404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Entire Transmission failed and needs to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11718931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission valve body had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11717033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
2016 Silverado z71 with 6L80 transmission started slipping gears and shudders when accelerating. Vehicle was looked at by a mechanic who drove it and confirmed that the transmission is the issue and said a rebuild is needed.
NHTSA complaint #11710199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 contact reported that the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard, and the ABS system vibrated following the brake pedal failure. No warning lights were illuminated for the brake failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #11704101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While driving on the freeway accelerating the truck made a huge clunking noise and dropped speed instantly and I was unable to accelerate. The tow truck driver said it was a transmission problem.truck had to be towed and is at the mechanic awaiting an official diagnosis
NHTSA complaint #11698389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle will cut off as if an electrical short and the Service Stabilitrak indicator will flash on the dashboard along with warning chimes. This has happened several times at low speed (1st gear) especially while turning. The steering wheel locks and can not be turned. I've almost been involved in an accident this week because the truck turns off while making a turn. I was at a stop sign waiting to turn left having to cross 2 lanes of on coming traffic and when I accelerated the trucks electrical cut out and forced the steering wheel to go straight I gave it more gas and the truck turned back on. On another day I pulled up and put it in reverse turned right and the truck shut off I had to put it in park and restarted it to back in my driveway. GM need to fix this.
NHTSA complaint #11687496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
This vehicle has experienced repeated and ongoing serious defects with the 8L90 Transmission Torque Converter. I took delivery of this vehicle on 17SEP2016 and since it has required multiple service appointments to address the issue. To date it has not been satisfactorily repaired. Despite repeated failed repair attempts the vehicle exhibits erratic transmission slipping, jerking, hesitation and surging under acceleration. These symptoms persist even after a most recent torque converter replacement (and subsequent re-replacement as outlined below). This creates a serious safety concern particularly when accelerating into traffic, merging and driving uphill, but also in low speed maneuvers such as navigating a parking lot. The vehicle often feels like it is misfiring under acceleration when trying to merge, then surges forward erratically. In parking lots at low speeds, the downshift of this transmission is so abrupt that it often causes the driver and passengers alike to believe that the vehicle has been hit from behind. The repair history started within 2 years/24K miles as follows: - 01FEB2018 @ 28140 - Drain flush and fill transmission for Shudder/Hard Down Shift - Diagnosed as Torque converter issue. This helped for a short period of time - 26JUN2019 @ 53445 Miles - Same issue - same diagnosis - same repair attempt - this was unsuccessful in anyway. - 12NOV2019 @ 60653 Miles - Same issue and diagnosis - Torque converter replaced - 31JUL2024 @134218 Miles - Same issue and diagnosis - Flush and fill recommended since extended warranty had expired - paid $300 for transmission fluid flush and fill - 15APR2025@145963 Miles - Same issue and diagnosis - Torque converter replaced for $2956 - there was no appreciable improvement - 08AUG2025@151182 Miles - Torque Converter replaced under warranty from 15APR2025 work - No appreciable improvement - 20AUG2025@151500 Miles - Same issue - Advised to replace entire transmission
NHTSA complaint #11685584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission shifts erratically, sometimes violently. It seems to shift through several gears within seconds. There is no warning lights or codes that appear. I was rolling in line to exit a parking lot, going less than a crawl, and transmission shifted. It sounded like I had been rear-ended and vehicle lunged forward. There was enough distance that I was able to avoid the vehicle that was in front of me.
NHTSA complaint #11684753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Stability track came on left me stuck a On train tracks and middle of an entersection
NHTSA complaint #11681947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11675965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle had experienced hesitation to accelerate and reduced speeds. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11674256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
This vehicle has been driven only on highway and local paved suburban roads. Fully maintained per Manufacturer recommendations. This vehicle has never been used to tow. Transmission suddenly failed during driving creating an unsafe condition on a 55mph busy road.
NHTSA complaint #11672942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Problem 1: passenger side seatbelt does not retract. Problem 2: the transmission failed due to a bad torque converter. This is apparently a well known problem that General Motors has been ignoring. The cost to repair is approximately $6,500.00 which, for a senior citizen is really going to hurt my cost of living.
NHTSA complaint #11670569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11660572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 Crew Cab Transmission (6 speed automatic) 97,000 miles - At 70 mph in traffic, the transmission decided to stop working with no warning, stranded on highway 800 miles from home at 7:15 pm on Saturday, June 28, 2024. - Got it to a Chevy dealership, they had to replace the transmission. - 4 days and $7,100 later I had transportation again. - Do not have the blown transmission, dealership kept it. Engine (5.3L V8 EcoTec3) 103,000 miles - At 35 mph in traffic, the engine lost all power and had a very loud clunking sound. Had to have it towed. December 7, 2024 - Had to have it rebuilt, 3 lifters were broken along with other things. - 3 weeks and $5,600 later I had transportation again. - I have the box of parts that had to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11658928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission completely destroyed. Transmission known to have various problems had in shop twice and still not right! Total cost so far is 4800 dollars
NHTSA complaint #11657807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The transmission failed prematurely (just over 95,000 miles). Before i had it rebuilt, It was lurching forward as I was coming to a stop. It also had trouble switching gears (very rough) and a loss of power. I understand this transmission is part of a class action lawsuit. I wanted to make sure my experience was documented with the other cases. General Motors needs to correct this problem and reimburse owners for work already completed. I will dig up my transmission repair documentation and include it with this record. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11657015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission problem. Harsh and clunk noise when shifting. Hesitation when accelerating and when shifting to reverse. It only has 70,000 miles the dealer wants 7 to 8 thousand to fix it.
NHTSA complaint #11656146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Torque converter
NHTSA complaint #11653282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
2016 Silverado with 5.3L and 8L90 transmission. Experienced a P0711-Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor "A" Circuit code and a P0700-Transmission Control System Malfunction. The P0711 code has periodically come up multiple times in the past, but would clear itself before could make to a dealership to troubleshoot. The temp reading on the instrument cluster has always been erroneous though with inaccurate readings (e.g. transmission temp reads 20 deg on an 80 deg day) or wild swings in temperature reading. There is a GM special coverage notice for this issue due to the amount of owners this has affected (N192291660), but this only applies to 6.2L owners even though multiple 5.3L owners that have the exact same 8L90 transmission are experiencing this same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11648955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I have had to replace the transmission in this vehicle 3 times within a year and half time frame. Initially experienced harsh shifting, significant hesitation in shifting and the transmission overheated whilst driving on the highway to the point where smoke was clearly visible. Each of the 3 failures stemmed from the torque converter. There were no warning lamps or messages present prior to the failures.
NHTSA complaint #11648851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Jerking of 1-2 gears. Also in 5-6. Has not been inspected thoroughly by dealer. Was told “it’s just the way these vehicles are.” Merging onto oncoming traffic, I fear for my safety. No warning lights and the jerking/rumble strip feeling is becoming more common than when purchased.
NHTSA complaint #11647550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission valve body failure, first failure around 28-30000 miles, second failure at 44,000 miles. Truck has been at Chevy garage for two weeks, I still have no answer on part or remedy
NHTSA complaint #11645973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.