2016 Chevrolet Silverado brake problems
267 of the 802 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 3 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database28 of the 267 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 42 · 2019: 90 · 2020: 35 · 2021: 26 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 20 · 2024: 13 · 2025: 9 · 2026: 3
Half of the 180 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 41,000 and 70,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
802 complaints in all about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, 3 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chevrolet Silverado brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Was going down a steep hill in kentucky in stop and go traffic and without warning the brake pedal got really hard to push and the truck didn't want to stop. Also happened at a low RPM going down the approach of a driveway. I AM able to duplicate it. Also at red lights if I pump the brakes they become really hard to push
The brakes fail(periodically) at low RPM due to vacuum booster pump failure. Typically happens when moving slowly at idle - rolling down a driveway etc
I AM having brake assist failure at all speeds. It is impossible to stop without applying full force. The ABS 'clicking' can be heard and felt while trying to apply brakes. This system failed going down a mountain pass with a camper behind US and children in the back seat. The 'service brake assist' light was displayed
I'm having brake booster failure at slow speeds, the brake petal is super hard to push down and it almost isn't enough to make the truck stop rolling at slow speeds. Truck has right at 43,xxx miles on it and is not under warranty
At 4200 miles the front right disc brake was damaged beyond repair. The mechanic stated that the front left showed normal wear and that it still have more than 50% left on the pad. The right front caliper was not retracting and caused the brake to run compressed for a long time hence causing unrepairable damage to the rotor.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 19V645000 HighSep 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- 18V578000 CriticalAug 30, 2018 · 42,280 vehicles
- 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 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
- 16V069000 CriticalFeb 5, 2016 · 430,771 vehicles
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
NHTSA investigation
- PE18012 Brake Vacuum Pump Failureopened Nov 20, 2018 · closed Apr 10, 2022
- On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet S…
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 194 complaints
- electrical problems 121 complaints
- engine problems 74 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 267 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (33% of everything owners filed about it), and 3 recalls, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading: 19V645000, 18V578000, 16V069000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 50,000 miles; half of them between 41,000 and 70,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.