2016 GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems
92 of the 377 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 323 manufacturer bulletins. 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 92 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 5 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 14 · 2020: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 2
Half of the 41 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 16,000 and 66,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
377 complaints in all about the 2016 GMC Sierra, 2 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Sierra transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The truck has a horrible vibration from around 45 MPH and up. Have test drove other 2016 Gmc sierras with same issue. Have taken it back to the dodge dealership we bought it from and they said it should be a recall
The contact owns a 2016 Gmc Sierra 1500. While driving 65 MPH in stop and go traffic, the contact detected a shutter and heard an abnormal noise when shifting gears. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,794
Transmission shifts abruptly and torque converter causes shudder at highway speeds. Truck has been serviced twice for the same issue by dealer and dealer recently told me problem is unresolvable
Constant vibration and or shake at speeds between 60-70 MPH. This issue is commonly referred to as the "chevy shake" this issue has been existing since first purchasing this vehicle. I addressed the concern with the dealership during multiple visits for service.
Transmission - when driving the vehicle it does a hard shift when accelerating and decelerating. I have taken the vehicle into the dealer twice. They are saying that is a "state of the art" computer that needs to be reset!!! I AM taking it back in for a 3rd time. The care is 2 years old with 31k miles
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications323 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 GMC Sierra names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 GMC Sierra
Source: the same files- brake problems 114 complaints
- electrical problems 58 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 92 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (24% of everything owners filed about it), and 323 manufacturer bulletins 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 10 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 47,000 miles; half of them between 16,000 and 66,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.