2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 266owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $705median quote
- 28involved a crash
Newest report Jul 13, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
266 of the 799 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 Silverado 1500.
Narrower sheets: Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails (116 reports) · Brakes failed to stop the car (34 reports) · Brake pedal feels soft or spongy (29 reports)
Tick what matches of 266 reports
Brake wear 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: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (24 reports), the ABS module (23 reports), the 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
17 of the 266 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $605 to $1,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 41,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 185 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 10 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.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
N182206730 Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles equipped with special service package (RPO 5W4) and certain 2015 ? 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles equipped with police package (RPO 9C1) or special service package (RPO 5W4) may have a condition in which ...
6 more on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 page.
What owners wrote
“I was trying to stop in reverse, no pedal on braking...put in drive it had pedal and a light came on in dash to " service brake assist"”
Filed May 3, 2022
“The trailer brake system dings on the dash board constantly, causing the brakes to malfunction and studder which is causing an increased risk of for safety incidents to happen.”
Filed May 3, 2022
“While driving slowly in parking lot, lost braking. I had minimal braking for the next 5 minutes. Message on dashboard said SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST. Which indicates a problem with the brake boost assist system. Further investigation indicates a re-programing of the braking software may be needed. i would like to see this issue of re-programing the braking software a re-call on my 2106 truck. Ref: NHTSA - 19V645 & 20V603”
Filed Jan 3, 2022
“Loss of brakes at low speeds, may require pumping of brakes. Had an update performed and thought bit was corrected. Have experienced it 4 or 5 times since. Vehicle continues to roll a few feet before stopping. Corrects itself after restart of vehicle.”
Filed Dec 15, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 28 of 266 reports involved a crash and 4 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