11 of the
445 complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 are about the
airbag system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
35,309 miles.
The contact owned a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a deer, causing significant damage to the front end. During the crash, no airbags deployed. The cause of the air bag's failure to deploy was not determined. The vehicle was repaired at the local collision center. Recently, while driving approximately 50 MPH, the driver pressed the brakes to decelerate before crashing into a deer. During the crash, the vehicle sustained minor damage to the front end, but all the air bags in the vehicle deployed, including the driver steering wheel air bag, the front passenger side air bag, the driver and passenger side curtain airbags and seat belt pretensioners, and the passenger side seat air bag. The driver's side seat airbag did not deploy. The contact suffered adverse effects of COPD due to the air bag powder during the deployment. No medical treatment was needed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact indicated that due to the minor damage to the vehicle during the crash, the air bag should not have deployed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and was determined to be destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11715267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Streamwood, IL
AIR BAGS
My rear driver side door electric harness failed only two years after owning vehicle. This disables everything, including the side airbag putting passengers at risk. Most recently (2024), my radio harness failed causing ALL functions regarding infotainment system to be obsolete. Multiple electric issues and no recalls to be seen.
NHTSA complaint #11667176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Groesbeck, TX
AIR BAGS
Truck says service airbag when it only had 148,867 miles. Was told its passenger side front by dealership. All other airbags are fine
NHTSA complaint #11562054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harts, WV
AIR BAGS
My 2016 gmc Sierra transmission going out again first time locked up and researched everyone I know that owns gmc says they have same issue replaced front drive train busted also and noticed the weld on the frame around steering box and frame has one weld pass very thin rusting away already I've done replaced engine front diff fuel pump now airbag warning keeps going off and my radio has security build in it keeps locking up so I think my entire gmc sjo I ld be recalled replaced with a better used one at least gmc make it right allow me a safe auto for what I paid for so please check transmission on all 2016 gmc trucks suv before someone gets killed over malfunction and airbags an on board computer shutting down my email [XXX] I'd be happy to allow gmc builders to take it and learn from defaults in it I know I had service dept Thornhill auto chapmanville wv service a brake recall on it and the web sites continue saying no recall please email any help thank you for everyone's time helping me INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11506733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mico, TX
AIR BAGS
Service Airbag light is on. Airbag removed and replaced at owner's expense. Diagnosed electrical concern. Cost Not covered by GMC. There has been four Airbag recalls on the 2016 GMC Sierra since 2016, but none covering total replacement of the Airbag. Recalls dated 09-08-2016, 07-10-2017, 11-25-2020, and 07-01-2021. Does NOT seem logical to me to cover cost for most of the component, but not the Airbag itself. This doesn't seem fair...$1422.45.
NHTSA complaint #11505609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesClinton, MS
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front and rear driver’s and passenger’s side air bags had inadvertently deployed without being involved in a crash. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The driver and the contact’s son who was sitting in the front passenger’s seat were struck on the head with the air bags however, there were no injuries. Medical attention was not needed. No police report was filed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after several minutes and driven back to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE OWNER/DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND NOT COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AS OF 5/18/22.
NHTSA complaint #11451601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesBenton, AR
AIR BAGS
ON AVERAGE, ABOUT EVERY 3RD TIME I DRIVE THIS TRUCK, BUT ALMOST EVERY TIME IF IT'S WET OR COLD, I GET A WARNING THAT THERE IS A MECHANICAL ISSUE WITH MY AIRBAGS. I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE, OR WHAT PART OF THE SYSTEM IS FAILING, BUT THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON THE ENTIRE TIME I'M DRIVING AND I GET NOTICES FROM ONSTAR THAT IT REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IT'S HAPPENED TOO MANY TIMES FOR ME TO COUNT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED (OVER A YEAR AGO), I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE ISSUE, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS LIKELY ELECTRICAL AND COULD BE FIXED WITH A $1000 REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #11376153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesRosenberg, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY UNTIL THE POLICE ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FINNEGAN CHEVROLET (26529 SOUTHWEST FWY, ROSENBERG, TX 77471) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLINER AND SENSORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA complaint #11162074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,619 milesMetairie, LACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AND PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT CAUSING BOTH FRONT AND REAR DAMAGE, AIRBAG CAME OUT OF INFLATER BUT DID NOT DEPLOY
NHTSA complaint #11119598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesArlington, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, CHEST, AND LEFT ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11113108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,120 milesWatson, IL
AIR BAGS
ON 20 MARCH 17, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD WHEN A DOG ENTERED THE ROADWAY. I SWERVED RIGHT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT, WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF OVER STEERING AND POSSIBILITY ROLLING MY TRUCK. I WENT THROUGH A SMALL DITCH MY SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD.I STOPPED THE TRUCK AND COULD NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE. I RETURNED TO MY FRIENDS HOUSE AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE,TOW COMPANY AND THE LOCAL SHERIFF DEPT, NOBODY INCLUDING THE REPAIR FACILITY COULD DETECT ANY DAMAGE ASIDE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE SERVICE FACILITY BOTH EXPRESSED THEY ARE FAMILIAR OF SUCH ACCIDENTAL SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE.,
NHTSA complaint #10967669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.