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2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Heavy-duty pickup
0 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

54 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Counts recalls, not crash safety — this vehicle earned 4 of 5 stars from NHTSA. A much-recalled best-seller scores low here; see the methodology.

Recalls2 critical 6

Complaints1 crash · 1 injured reported 59

Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD is a pickup truck; vehicles over 8,500 lb GVWR are not certified for fuel economy by the EPA, so this page is built from NHTSA's recall, complaint and investigation records. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 59 complaints, most often about the steering. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

GMC Sierra — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — GMC Sierra · Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

No EPA fuel-economy record: the EPA does not certify vehicles over 8,500 lb GVWR. Recall, complaint and investigation data below come from NHTSA.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Pickup
Doors	4
GVWR class	Class 2H: 9,001 - 10,000 lb (4,082 - 4,536 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	8
Displacement	6.6 L
Engine configuration	V-Shaped

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Diesel

Transmission

Drivetrain

4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Denali, Fleet/Base, SLE, SLT). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	220.1–254.3 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	79.9 in
Height	78.0–78.3 in
Wheelbase	133.5–167.7 in
Track, front	68.9 in
Track, rear	67.7 in
Curb weight	5,631–6,594 lb

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 11 configurations: Crew Cab L/Box 2WD, Crew Cab L/Box 4X4, Crew Cab M/Box 2WD, Crew Cab M/Box 4X4, Crew Cab M/Box 4X4 Denali, Double Cab L/Box 2WD …. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (6)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Air Bags

N262569920

1,559 vehicles built May 4, 2016 – May 10, 2016

Problem General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500 vehicles, and 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The left-side or right-side roof rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator or the inflator sidewall may rupture. Risk A detached end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape and project the end cap or fragments of the inflator into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace both RRAB modules, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N262569920. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 24, 2026.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Remedy instructions PDF Dealer notice PDF

NHTSA campaign 26V611000 reported Sep 24, 2026 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Air Bags

N202324251

410,019 vehicles 60% reported repaired

Problem General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks. The roof-rail air bag (RRAB) inflator end cap may detach from the inflator, or the inflator sidewall may rupture. Risk A separated inflator end cap or inflator rupture can allow compressed gas to escape, resulting in the end cap or other components being propelled into the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury or crash. Fix Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on August 18, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. Phase I owner notification letters were mailed on May 5, 2022. Phase II owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 31, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. T

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 21V504000 reported Jul 1, 2021 General Motors, LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

18278

42,280 vehicles 77% reported repaired built Oct 14, 2013 – Jan 30, 2016

Problem 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. Risk If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 18V578000 reported Aug 30, 2018 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Air Bags

17287

40,683 vehicles 84% reported repaired built Nov 21, 2013 – Aug 15, 2016

Problem 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 Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) softw Risk A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 reported Jul 10, 2017 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Air Bags

16007

3,640,162 vehicles 90% reported repaired built Sep 30, 2013 – Aug 15, 2016

Problem 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 Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. Risk A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 reported Sep 8, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

20760

430,771 vehicles 89% reported repaired built Oct 29, 2013 – Feb 1, 2016

Problem 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. Risk If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash. Fix GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF

NHTSA campaign 16V069000 reported Feb 5, 2016 General Motors LLC the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific Sierra 2500HD

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2016 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. GMC publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →GMC’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

59complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 12 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 8 · 2023: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 2

Most-cited components

Steering 14

Fuel/Propulsion System 12

Service Brakes 10

Engine 9

Electrical System 9

Unspecified 7

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

Tire tread bulged from center line of tire tread to outside of tread approximately 1 ft long. I had been highway driving for about 4 hours at 70 mph. Truck started vibrating and was becoming worse. I pulled over and found bulge in tire. I took it about 5 miles to Matlock Tire in Lenior City Tn.

Tires Jun 20, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11421572

Steering box adjustment screw backed out causing excessive slop in the steering wheel. This is a well documented problem with these trucks with gm's solution is to add locktite and torque nut. I believe that this is a temporary solution and it could backout again. Should have a mechanical lock to prevent it from backing out

Steering at 45,000 miles Oct 22, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11365798

The contact owns a 2016 Gmc Sierra 2500. When the brake pedal was depressed, a very loud squealing noise was heard. The noise was so loud that other drivers informed the contact that there was an issue with her brakes. The noise began ever since the vehicle was purchased in 2016.

Service Brakes at 20,876 miles Nov 13, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11279762

2016 Gmc denali 2500 6.6l duramax diesel. Consumer writes in regard to faulty crankshaft that caused irreparable damage to engine

Engine Oct 16, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11266351

Headlight beam shakes constantly while driving at night. Dealer addressed issue several times with nothing being accomplished as the lights have continued to shake. Headlight beams shaking is very distracting during night driving and the shaking is quite unsafe as you cannot maintain a consistent, undisturbed beam of light in front of…

Exterior Lighting at 30,000 miles Mar 1, 2019 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11183364

Ceiling air bags deployed. With out truck being compromised. Also surging doesn't want to stop revs at 1000 RPM and pushes even when braked leeps forward

Air Bags Dec 3, 2018 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11155790

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by GMC itself: 17 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 21 injured, as claimed, not verified. Every Sierra 2500HD model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 30k

miles, typically

Half the 27 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 7,000 and 50,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 27 on file: 8 under 10k, 2 10k–20k, 4 20k–30k, 4 30k–40k, 2 40k–50k, 2 50k–60k, 1 60k–70k, 2 70k–80k, 1 100k–150k, 1 150k +.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
PU/CC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	20%
PU/CC RWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	21%
PU/EC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	20%
PU/EC RWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	20%
PU/RC 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	20%
PU/RC RWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★☆☆	20%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 1,572

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-26

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 1570 service bulletins, 1 service campaign, 1 other

Most often about: Equipment, Engine, Electrical System, Power Train, Fuel/Propulsion System.

PIT5698F Service bulletin
2026-09-26 · Unknown Or Other
This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
PIP4902W Service bulletin
2026-09-04 · Unknown Or Other
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PIT5099J Service bulletin
2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
PIT5509N Service bulletin
2026-07-21 · Unknown Or Other
This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
PIT5544J Service bulletin
2026-06-24 · Unknown Or Other
This Preliminary information communicates information on a hydraulic rush type noise from the power steering gear. This noise is a characteristic of the new Active Hydraulic Assist System RPO NV8 and no repairs should be made. The noise is most noticeable in the cab at idle, in park, with all accessories turned off.
PIT5509M Service bulletin
2026-05-14 · Unknown Or Other
This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
PIT3271Q Service bulletin
2026-04-01 · Unknown Or Other
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
PIP6104 Service bulletin
2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

Code	What it means	Most often filed under	Where it appears
P0300 P0300 on GMC →	Misfire detected, but not isolated to one cylinder.	Engine · Ignition coils →	10 bulletins
C1114 C1114 on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	9 bulletins
B3055 B3055 on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	8 bulletins
B3060 B3060 on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	8 bulletins
B3935 B3935 on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	8 bulletins
P050D P050D on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Engine	8 bulletins
P2463 P2463 on GMC →	Soot has built up in the diesel particulate filter beyond the allowed limit.	Equipment	8 bulletins
C0710 C0710 on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electronic Stability Control	7 bulletins
P018B P018B on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →	7 bulletins
P0308 P0308 on GMC →	Cylinder 8 is misfiring.	Engine · Ignition coils →	7 bulletins
P0751 P0751 on GMC →	Shift solenoid A is not responding — stuck off.	Power Train	7 bulletins
P2635 P2635 on GMC →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →	7 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 0%

failed emissions

313 initial inspections of 310 vehicles.

Measure	The 2016 Sierra 2500HD	Every 2016 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	0%	4.2%	207
Failed the safety inspection	0.32%	2.2%	313
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0.32%	0.27%	313
Miles driven a year	12,391	10,028	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	127,244	103,109	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2016 vehicle” is every 2016 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Sierra 2500HD by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2026 A 1 12 2025 A 1 28 2024 C 4 107 2023 A 1 33 2022 D 3 44 Park outside 2021 F 6 52 Park outside 2020 F 9 79 2019 F 7 32 2018 F 5 35 2017 F 6 37 2016 this page F 6 59

Common questions about the 2016 Sierra 2500HD

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 18V578000, covering Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 1 of them was filed with no repair available at the time — NHTSA's file records what the manufacturer had in hand on the filing date, not what exists today. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

NHTSA gave the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 3-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it F (54/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What are the dimensions of the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

Transport Canada measured it at 220.1–254.3 in long, 79.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 78.0–78.3 in tall, on a 133.5–167.7 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 5,631–6,594 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD, most often about steering, fuel/propulsion system, service brakes. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 1 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

The manufacturer has filed 1572 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD, most often covering equipment, engine, electrical system. The most recent is dated 2026-09-26. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD failed the emissions check on 0% of first inspections — lower than the 4.2% for every 2016 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 0.32% (every 2016 vehicle: 2.2%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	none	EPA certification records	The EPA does not certify vehicles rated over 8,500 lb GVWR, so heavy-duty nameplates have no entry at all.
Emission certificates	none	EPA emission certificates	The EPA published no certificate we could match to a configuration on this page.
Recalls	6	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	59	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	6 tested	NHTSA NCAP	Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins	1572	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	none	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	No defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	8 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API

2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Specs & fuel economy

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Dimensions Exterior

Engine Basics

Fuel Economy

Transmission

Dimensions & weight

Factory warranty running out?

Recalls (6)

Air Bags

Air Bags

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Air Bags

Air Bags

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Whether any of this applies to one specific Sierra 2500HD

Hear about a recall before the letter does

Parts & accessories for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Owner complaints

Most-cited components

In owners' own words

When owners reported it

miles, typically

Crash ratings

Service bulletins & campaigns

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

At the New York inspection station

failed emissions

Sierra 2500HD by model year

Common questions about the 2016 Sierra 2500HD

Does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD have any recalls?

How safe is the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

What are the dimensions of the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

What do owners complain about on the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

Are there service bulletins for the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD?

How does the 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD do at state inspection?

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Where to go next

Sources & method