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2016 GMC Sierra Denali Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali, most often about the transmission (30% of complaints, typically around 37,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Sierra Denali model year since 2000.

Complaints30
Recalls0
Crashes reported2
Fires reported0
Injuries reported5

Most common 2016 GMC Sierra Denali problems

  1. Transmission

    9 complaints · 30%

    Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles.

    Brake failure issue at low speed. This happened in two separate occurrences in parking lots. The brake pedal became very still and required grabbing the steering wheel and using it to pull myself down harder on the brake pedal to get the vehicle to stop. This resulted in greatly increased stopping distance.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 27,000 miles
    Since I've owned this vehicle I have had transmission problems. Once it went from 70 to 20 on the highway.. It kicks or jerks at any speed... Especially going slow.. The shifting is horrible!!! The feeling of it losing power again like it did could cause serious damage to the transmission and unselfish and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 54,000 miles

  2. Brakes

    8 complaints · 27%

    Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles.

    On several occasions I have had difficulty with the braking system. The braking system becomes unresponsive after pumping the brakes a few times. On several occasions I've had the brake peddle pushed to the floor in an attempt to stop the vehicle. This seems to happen mostly at slow speeds, a good example is when you…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 50,500 miles
    At 38,200 miles, the truck experienced a loss of break pressure while in a parking garage traveling at low speed causing the vehicle to narrowly miss hitting a concrete upright. After realizing there was a break issue, vehicle was able to be carefully moved from the parking garage by coasting on the break. After…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 38,200 miles

  3. Steering

    6 complaints · 20%

    Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.

    The vehicle has excessive steering play. It is dangerous to drive in icy conditions and can be noticed driving the vehicle straight under all driving conditions on dry or icy pavement. I took it to the dealer and they performed service bulletin work at my expense to fix the problem. The service bulletin and rework…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 49,900 miles
    Since I've owned this vehicle I have had transmission problems. Once it went from 70 to 20 on the highway.. It kicks or jerks at any speed... Especially going slow.. The shifting is horrible!!! The feeling of it losing power again like it did could cause serious damage to the transmission and unselfish and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2020, at 54,000 miles

  4. Engine

    3 complaints · 10%

    The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and rolled backwards. The contact was able to restart the vehicle but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 8,300 miles
    My 2016 GMC sierra 3500 diesel denali has been in the shop 5 times and over 50 days since november 4, 2017 for an emissions issue. On november 4 while driving, I received a check engine light that said to service the exhaust system and a countdown started, reducing the speed of the vehicle by 10 MPH after every 50-75…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 38,700 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2016 GMC Sierra Denali recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali

What are the most common problems with the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali?
By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (9 complaints, typically around 37,500 miles); brakes (8 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles); steering (6 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2016 a bad year for the GMC Sierra Denali?
It is the most complained-about Sierra Denali model year since 2000, with 30 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other GMC Sierra Denali years

GMC Sierra Denali problems by year