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2016 GMC Sierra 2500 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
28%
16 of 57 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 28% of relevant complaints.

Better than 74% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 8 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 25%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 16 of 57 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (28%). For comparison, the 2015 scores 38% and the 2017 scores 46%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
16
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
65
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
6
3 crashes · 1 injuries

Complaints by component

STEERING15 · 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 · 17%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10 · 15%
SERVICE BRAKES10 · 15%
ENGINE9 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8 · 12%

The years either side

2010
11%
5 of 59
2011
33%
25 of 106
2012
38%
18 of 60
2013
34%
24 of 85
2014
40%
23 of 131
2015
38%
31 of 147
2016
28%
16 of 65
2017
46%
41 of 98
2018
40%
12 of 35
2019
38%
11 of 32
2020
47%
35 of 76
2021
48%
19 of 51
2022
30%
12 of 43
2023
66%
21 of 32

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM08/02/2025
CP4 injection pump failure while driving nearly causing vehicle collision.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM06/19/2025
The CP4 pump failed while driving causing vehicle to stall. Upon failure, lost power to steering. Luckily we were on an access road for a rest area and not yet on the interstate. This resulted in a 14.5 thousand repair. No prior warning to pump failure. GM has recently settled a class action related to this pumps …
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM06/10/2025
My vehicles High Pressure Fuel Pump failed causing the vehicle to shutoff while driving. In addition, due to the engine shutting down while driving, the power steering quit working causing me to not be able to steer the vehicle. Thank you

Three of 16 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 (6)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 250…
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Y…
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500

Questions people ask about the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500

Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 16 of 57 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (28%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years are better?

Among the GMC Sierra 2500 years we track, the 2010 (11%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (28%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.