2016 GMC Sierra HD: common problems

The maker issued 36 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Technical service bulletins (TSB): 36

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Equipment	0	0	15
Electrical system	0	0	9
Engine and cooling	0	0	4
Powertrain	0	0	4
Engine	0	0	2
Service brakes	0	0	2
Structure	0	0	2
Visibility	0	0	2
Air bags	0	0	1
Fuel system	0	0	1
Steering	0	0	1
Tires	0	0	1

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.

Manufacturer service bulletins

Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.

received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10089001 · Engine and cooling THIS INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDE INFORMATION ON A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT NOX SENSOR READINGS AND EXHAUST…
THIS INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDE INFORMATION ON A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT NOX SENSOR READINGS AND EXHAUST TEMPERATURE DURING A DPF REGENERATION OR A REDUCTANT FLUID QUALITY TEST.
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082564 · Service brakes THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT NUT ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE LOOSE OR…
THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT NUT ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BE LOOSE OR INOPERATIVE. IF THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES LOOSE OR INOPERATIVE, THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE…
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082447 · Engine and cooling THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN EXPLAINS A POSSIBLE NORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM THE BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN IF THE…
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN EXPLAINS A POSSIBLE NORMAL WHINING NOISE FROM THE BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN IF THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT.
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082437 · Air bags THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE…
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ON LOCATING AND RECONNECTING AIRBAG CONNECTORS THAT ARE NOT FULLY SEATED TO CORRECT A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF AN AIRBAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED, OR ONE, OR MORE, AIRBAG…
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082423 · Engine and cooling THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEF USE AND TREATMENT OF THE FLUID
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082422 · Equipment THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES DIAGNOSTIC TIPS TO HELP CORRECT MULTIPLE CONCERNS REGARDING THE USB PORT…
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES DIAGNOSTIC TIPS TO HELP CORRECT MULTIPLE CONCERNS REGARDING THE USB PORT BEING INOPERATIVE OR UNABLE TO PLAY MUSIC THROUGH THE USB PORT.
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082412 · Electrical system THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO CHECK THE CYLINDERS FOR DAMAGED PISTONS AND DETERMINE IF…
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO CHECK THE CYLINDERS FOR DAMAGED PISTONS AND DETERMINE IF THE USE OF AFTERMARKET CALIBRATIONS OR PERFORMANCE PARTS MAY BE THE CAUSE.
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082411 · Equipment THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO ENABLE THE 4G LTE WIFI ON NEWLY DELIVERED VEHICLES FOR…
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO ENABLE THE 4G LTE WIFI ON NEWLY DELIVERED VEHICLES FOR SOME VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT SHIPPED WITH THE FEATURE NOT ENABLED.
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082406 · Equipment THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA DISC PLAYER USING A…
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA DISC PLAYER USING A PROVIDED DVD TO CORRECT THE CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT PLAYER FREEZES ON START UP MENU DUE TO A…
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082363 · Equipment THIS WARRANTY ADMINISTRATION BULLETIN PROVIDE POLICY ON PERFORMING GM COVERED VEHICLE SERVICES AND…
THIS WARRANTY ADMINISTRATION BULLETIN PROVIDE POLICY ON PERFORMING GM COVERED VEHICLE SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE ON VEHICLES ORIGINATING/SOLD IN CANADA.
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10082277 · Tires THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE CORRECT INFORMATION THAT IS NEEDED TO CORRECTLY KNOW WHAT TPM…
THIS INFORMATIONAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE CORRECT INFORMATION THAT IS NEEDED TO CORRECTLY KNOW WHAT TPM SENSOR IS NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES IF THERE IS ACCESSORY WHEELS INSTALLED AND WHO TO CONTACT WHEN THE…
received by NHTSA in 2015–2019 · № 10081880 · Powertrain THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES TO COMPLETE A TRANSSMISSION ADAPTIVE LEARN ON ALL THE…
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES TO COMPLETE A TRANSSMISSION ADAPTIVE LEARN ON ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEHICLES AND TRANSMISSIONS BASED ON RPO OPTIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF HARSH SHIFTS ON HARD…

NHTSA lists 36 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra HD?

There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 36 manufacturer service bulletins.

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 GMC Sierra HD?

NHTSA lists 36 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2016 GMC Sierra HD from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2016 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.