106 of the
445 complaints about the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 are about the
braking system — 24% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
44,761 miles.
My vehicle a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 upon lower idle speeds loses vacuum pressure. As the vacuum level drops the brake assist decreases, increasing the braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash. I have had a warning light come on advising to service the brake assist system. I took my truck to a local mechanic who confirmed the codes and learned that there had been a GM recall associated with this failure at one time, with GM recall # N192268490. There is also NHTSA recall bulletin 19V645000 regarding this matter as well. Upon contacting some local GM dealers in the area, I was informed that my VIN was not listed as one of the vehicles affected by this recall, so a recall notice was never sent regarding my vehicle. I was also told that I just fell outside their 10-year window regarding this matter and that they would not repair this safety issue under warranty. I called the GM customer service who could not explain why the VIN associated to my truck was not listed and they said I should contact NHTSA and start a claim for potential reimbursement in the future after repairs are made. I feel that this is an unnecessary step as I believe GM should honor their product and repair an obvious safety issue with the truck, especially since they knew this was an issue in thousands of their trucks where it was not my fault my vehicles VIN was not included as a potential recall issue, but I am following their suggestion
NHTSA complaint #11752078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Bend, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanic Falls, ME
SERVICE BRAKES
While traveling at low speeds in parking lots and in the operation of parking, my 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 gets a hard brake pedal that goes to the floor but I have no brakes. I almost hit a person in a local grocery store parking lot, at the bank driving up to the ATM, and I almost lost my truck over a bank because the brakes failed. This has happened multiple times at low speeds but it is getting more consistent recently. It has endangered myself and others. It is only a matter of time until damage occurs or someone gets hurt.
NHTSA complaint #11710305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gretna, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her and her husband were driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brake was depressed; however, the braking distance was extended, and the vehicle took longer to slow down. The contact also stated that occasionally while driving at undisclosed speeds, her husband observed a loud sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine and braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11665987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Las Cruces, NM
SERVICE BRAKES
I towed a trailer last month and noticed some hard breaking issues in slow moving traffic. Las night as I was parking my vehicle under the car port, I had to press on the brakes to straighten my vehicle and as I was moving forwards slowly, my brakes failed, the pedal was stiff and I almost hit my other vehicle and the garage door.
NHTSA complaint #11619202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Linden, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
Driving at low speed such at in drive thru or parking lot if you press brake couple repetitive times pedal gets hard and you have to press really hard to stop it’s like vacumn assist losses vacumn in braking assist been happening last couple years but I’ve learned to adjust my braking at low speed to adapt
NHTSA complaint #11616516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Delta, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
Stopping at a stop sign with several cars in front of me my vehicle wouldn’t stop, luckily the car in front of me moved. I immediately called the dealership to have my vehicle repaired. They confirmed my brakes had a problem including the vacuum pump having an internal failure. They replaced vacuum pump and required belts then charged me $800.00 for this service.
NHTSA complaint #11613141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Normal, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
On a recent road trip my family and I experienced an issue with the Brake Assist on my 2016 GMC Sierra. When I returned back from our vacation I took the vehicle to a 3rd party mechanic that I trusted to perform diagnostics. He advised that I would need a new vacuum pump and stretch belt to correct the issue. Upon receiving this information I advised him to move forward with the repair. What I didn't know was that Special Coverage N182202780 covers this exact repair from GM at no cost to the customer. I followed up with GM to see if I could recoup any of the cost and I was told no because I didn't get the work done at a GM dealership. I find this to be extremely frustrating as I did not know there was a special notice that would have covered this defect, and if I had I would of taken the vehicle to a GMC dealership. I feel that GM should reimburse me for the defect that was known even if I had the vehicle serviced at my chosen mechanic. Any help would be greatly appreciated
NHTSA complaint #11587853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesCantonment, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while reversing into a parking space and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal required an excessive amount of effort to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The VIN was included, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #11580168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mendon, UT
SERVICE BRAKES
Braking system is malfunctioning while driving at slower speeds. It has malfunctioned while backing up and almost hit another vehicle. It also malfunctioned while coming to a stop light. Brake system is not working as it should and is feeling spongy upon braking. It feels like the brake pedal is all the way to the floor before it will eventually stop the truck. In researching this problem, there was a recall on the secondary brake system back in Feb of 2020. I bought the truck in June of 2020. I never got any information that there was a recall from the dealership I bought it from. I am unable to drive my truck due to this problem. I have not taken the truck to a GMC dealer as of yet but planning to.
NHTSA complaint #11558129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Johns, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes go out at low speeds, especially in reverse. Makes it really hard to stop vehicle. It happens at least once every couple days and seems to be getting progressively worse.
NHTSA complaint #11555164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
While parking in San Francisco after driving for about 100 miles, the brakes felt they had lost all power, the pedal was pressed down to the floor and caused the braking distance to increase drastically. There was a fence post to the left of my truck. So I was going to go forward a little then back up and straighten out to pull forward and finish parking. Going slow 3-5MPH I pressed the brake and the truck kept going forward, I felt a shake from the brake pedal and then no pressure, straight to the floor, then the brake pedal didn’t return up. i kept pressing/pumping the brake pedal but still felt like there was no power at all. When you released the brake pedal the pedal would not return to the top like normal. So the truck would not stop, it felt like forever, but when the truck did stop it had just come to rest on the fence post left of me, causing a small dent on the, rear passenger, driver side door. This was really scary because I was parking on a ocean pier and I though I was going to go into the fence in front of me and then into the water. I know now that that was most likely not going to happen because of the low speed I was going at but non the less SUPER SCARY. So now I have a dent on my truck and I am also scared to drive the truck because the brakes might not work when I need them too.
NHTSA complaint #11538172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TXCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
Power brake booster failed, truck would not stop in a timely manner
NHTSA complaint #11535778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Isle of Palms, SC
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes will sometime seize up and not allow car to stop in sufficient time.
NHTSA complaint #11533406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pontiac, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
Out of the blue I am getting constant trailer brake system alarms dinging at me. Even if I select dismiss the alarm keeps coming back. There seems to be no way of getting this to stop.
NHTSA complaint #11516023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesWesley Chapel, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the instrument panel went blank with white smoke coming from the vehicle. While approaching a stop light, the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard; the contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the contact was unable to turn off the vehicle. The contact poured water over the engine as the heat melted a switch that connected from one battery to the other. The contact managed to restart the vehicle and resumed normal driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The contact stated that the failure mileage was at or around 157,000. The cause of the failure was the second battery's positive cable became shorted out.
NHTSA complaint #11516030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
At low/idle speeds the brake pedal becomes hard and will not stop. At speeds between 35-75mph the engine/transmission has a vibration about every 10seconds and the transmission shifts hard and/or rough at times when first taking off.
NHTSA complaint #11504013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
At low speed (5 mph or less), my GMC truck looses brake pedal resistance and I have to mash the pedal hard to stop.... very dangerous when in traffic, parking lot or pedestrians crossing in front. This needs immediate attention. No warning lights on dash. After researching this issue online I discover there are many youtubes and complaints about this apparent brake vacuum pump problem). I also see where there is a recall of over 3.5 million Chevy/GMC vehicles (recall #s N202300860 and N192268490) for this exact low speed brake pump problem. My GMC truck falls within this recall (GMC Sierra LD between 2014 and 2018). But when I check my VIN # on the NHTSA website, it states no recall. How can this be? It clearly is the exact same issue. Please explain.
NHTSA complaint #11499771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deepwater, MO
SERVICE BRAKES
Was in a parking lot, moving just 2mph and had to literally mash down on the brake pedal - both forward and backward. Also, I put my truck in drive and has been making a noise in the transmission it seems and is a loud + lurches forward a bit. Additionally, I was traveling on vacation to Rockport, TX. I've made a appointment with the dealership here at 10:00 A.M. on 9 Dec 22, it's the earliest I can get my truck in. There was previously a brake issue covered under warranty & should be again!
NHTSA complaint #11495987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Wylie, SC
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes give out in the parking lot or at low speeds out of no where. I was told there are recalls for this but I looked it up and it’s saying no? I don’t wanna have a brake failure and wreck. Looking for some help please
NHTSA complaint #11490253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Constantine, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
I'm having problems with my low speed braking. When I am breaking at low speed such as at a stop sign or parking, it's like the pedal stops working, gets stiff, and I have to brake very hard to get it to work. This is of great concern to me as a safety hazard. Unable to stop in a parking structure or at a stop sign/signal can be fatal and this needs to be addressed and dealt with immediately.
NHTSA complaint #11487477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bay City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
Trailer brake system service light
NHTSA complaint #11483439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
The brakes stop working at low speeds and the brakes drag and it doesn’t stop.
NHTSA complaint #11481554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
At low speeds my brakes do not work well. Mostly while driving at idle speeds like in a parking lot the brake pedal gets hard and the truck does not stop very easily. If you idle the truck up to a higher RPM, the brakes begin to function properly again.
NHTSA complaint #11463982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
I purchased a certified pre owned 2016 sierra slt in February and just after a month of owning it a notification started to pop up and chime on my dash stating "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM". I have had my truck in the shop multiple times after to have this issue repaired and nothing has worked. They replaced the dash GM Genuine Part 84108373 break controller switch and buttons, the GM Genuine Part 23337305 trailer brake control module as well as the 7/4 pin 23404450 GM OEM Trailer Tow Receptacle. Nothing has fixed this issue! when the truck chimes I lose my trailer breaks and this is extremely dangerous hauling a camper weight 6500lbs. I also lose the ability to make phone calls, hear my blinker also the radio. This renders my truck inoperable and a danger to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11458798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elysburg, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
We recently had the recall installed on our truck, which was a brake software update for "increased brake pedal effort". No other work was performed and we had had no other issues prior to the recall being performed. Now, after the recall software update, we have all of the symptoms of the low speed increased brake pedal effort. There have been multiple times where we can barely get the truck to stop at low speed in a parking lot. The brake pedal vibrates and can hardly be pressed. Took it back to the dealer to complain about the recall installed and they said they would give a small discount for a vacuum pump repair but other than that there was nothing they could do due to our high mileage.
NHTSA complaint #11447824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesEdna, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the brakes failed to function as needed while being depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11446952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes failed in parking lot, had a solid pedal and could not get truck to stop
NHTSA complaint #11446970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
At low speed, parking in reverse, brakes began failing. Symptoms included a vibrating brake pedal, and a large change in the amount of pressure needed to depress the brake pedal (low pressure required). Pedal went to floor without stopping power. Symptoms match existing NHRTA campaign 20V603, but 2016 is not currently covered by the existing recall.
NHTSA complaint #11442662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
El Paso, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
-Engine gas consumption states 21 MPG Highway, 17 MPG combined and 15 MPG City. -When I started using vehicle during the first weeks and months the best MPG I could geta at the highway was 18.5 MPG with top-tier gas. -Ever since I bought the vehicle, the gas MPG have gone down around 0.5 MPG. The vehicle feels that it has to use more gas in order to perform the level of task everyday. -The motor oil pump at times moves down from the 40 mark to the 20 mark when idle at traffic light and it starts moving, it temporarily goes to the 60 mark. At other times when idle it stays in the 30 mark. -The transmission is an 8 speed automatic. It has issues shifting 1st and 2nd gear, and at times 3rd gear as well. When driving at slow speeds like in a traffic jam, mall parking, do a u turn or when you slow down at the traffic light and then turns green and you start accelerating again it feels harsh on gearing up and down. -This vehicle has the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, it turns on even at slower speeds and you feel how the engine and transmission struggle to accelerate, go a gear up and push the vehicle with only 4 cylinders. Like in manual transmissions when you accelerate on a higher gear than the correct one, it takes forever to accelerate and properly change to 8 cylinder and establish the correct gear and ratio. -Even if all 8 cylinders on it it feels like if I am running on a smaller engine. -There was a fix done to the transmission for a valve, but the vehicle still runs the same as before. -There is a knocking noise starting to build in the engine. Best mileage I can get driving the same and gas is 13 MPG combined. -The recent safety recall for the breaks is actually making the breaking worse than before. -My vehicle is 2016 GMC Sierra All Terrain V8 5.3L 4WD Z82 with 36,500 miles on it and is doing all this and its getting worse little at a time.
NHTSA complaint #11438132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.