2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Brake pedal feels soft or spongy
- 29owner reports
- 59,344median miles
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Jul 13, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
29 of the 266 reports of brake wear on the 2016 Silverado 1500 describe soft brake pedal.
Part of Brakes grind, pulse or wear early (266 reports) · also: brake booster failure, brake failure
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Soft brake pedal 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: 2014, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the brake lines (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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 41,000 and 78,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While back 1,200 pound boat and trailer down a boat ramp, the brake pedal sank to the floor and the vehicle kept rolling. I had to pump it several times to stop it. This has happened every time I go to a boat ramp. Brakes seem to work great other than low speed backing up. I'm scared I might get pulled into the water if I ever tow whatbmy truck is rated for at 11,000 pounds. Please advise.”
Filed Aug 27, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 29 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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