2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails
- 116owner reports
- 51,000median miles
- $700median quote
- 11involved a crash
Newest report Jul 13, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
116 of the 266 reports of brake wear on the 2016 Silverado 1500 describe brake booster failure.
Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (266 reports) · also: brake failure, soft brake pedal
Tick what matches of 116 reports
Brake booster failure on other Silverado 1500 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside brakes for reports about a hard pedal or a failed power assist. The pedal stops feeling normal: it turns stiff, takes far more force, and the car needs a longer distance to stop.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the vacuum pump (50 reports), the brake booster (18 reports) and the master cylinder (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the brakes cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Silverado 1500
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed apr 8, 2015.
Brake line corrosion failure. Closed jan 5, 2011.
Unwanted low-speed abs activation. Closed sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V-379.
Hydraulic pump failres. Closed feb 28, 2005, led to recall 05V-005.
What owners paid
10 of the 116 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $724.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 42,500 and 64,000 miles, from the 87 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
N182202780 Special Coverage Adjustment. In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have issues were the customer will need increased effort to depress the brake pedal.
What owners wrote
“No brakes at low speed. Problem persists after recall. Needs a vacuum pump. Known problem with Chevrolet and they wonât replace it.”
Filed Mar 19, 2023
“Was driving got up to stop sign the belt made a squaling noise and the brake pedal was hard brakes failed and i couldnt stop”
Filed Jan 31, 2023
“ABS is activated at low speed. Hard pedal and stopping is almost impossible at speeds less than 5 MPH in forward or reverse drive.”
Filed Dec 12, 2022
“1. The brake vacuum failed. 2. Mine and other drivers safety was put at risk because the vehicle was unable to come to a complete stop even when brake pedal was fully engaged. 3. The problem has been since fixed by a mechanic, before we knew of a previous recall on this particular issue. 4. There were no warnings displayed.”
Filed Nov 2, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 11 of 116 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 89 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 65 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 47 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 41 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 33 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 31 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 30 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 26 reports