2016 GMC SIERRA 1500 Complaints

Rear window defrost malfunctioned during remote start and electrical fire happened inside cab and shattered window. Vehicle caught on fire due to recall on 02/26/22 at 1AM and is at McGrath GMC in Cedar Rapids, IA. They will not release the vehicle due to safety issues; rental vehicle is not being provided and they have no update on when dealer will reach out to consumer. Dealer has been contacted multiple times.

Similar to the Canadian recall that effected those models, the rear defrost on the power sliding window malfunctioned, produced a weird smell like fire and promptly exploded, shattering the window. Vehicle is being used normally with no aftermarket products.

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front and rear driver’s and passenger’s side air bags had inadvertently deployed without being involved in a crash. The vehicle loss motive power and stalled. The driver and the contact’s son who was sitting in the front passenger’s seat were struck on the head with the air bags however, there were no injuries. Medical attention was not needed. No police report was filed. There were no warning lights illuminated on the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after several minutes and driven back to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE OWNER/DRIVER WAS NOT AT FAULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND NOT COST TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AS OF 5/18/22.

We recently had the recall installed on our truck, which was a brake software update for "increased brake pedal effort". No other work was performed and we had had no other issues prior to the recall being performed. Now, after the recall software update, we have all of the symptoms of the low speed increased brake pedal effort. There have been multiple times where we can barely get the truck to stop at low speed in a parking lot. The brake pedal vibrates and can hardly be pressed. Took it back to the dealer to complain about the recall installed and they said they would give a small discount for a vacuum pump repair but other than that there was nothing they could do due to our high mileage.

Used auto start, got in truck few minutes later and heard from rear window and a hissing and smelled electrical burning in the cab and saw smoke coming from driver side rear power sliding window. I shut off the rear window defroster and brought it to the Freehold Buick GMC dealership in NJ. They told me they tried to duplicate problem and couldn't find anything wrong. Returned to me with no corrective action taken by them. Two days later with the rear defroster on the drivers side rear window exploded and shattered while I was driving which startled me and almost caused an accident. When I returned to dealership they said it wasn't their problem as they couldn't find anything wrong and to replace it would be 1500 dollars. As of this complaint, I see there are 17 other identical complaints. There is also a customer satisfaction program (laughable) from GMC #N192265660 which identifies the problem and action the dealerships are supposed to take. But only for certain areas in the USA, Which mine did not. (purchased in PA, registered in NJ). How this is not a recall is ridiculous. It is listed as a "thermal event" Not sure how they got away with this. Its the incipient stages of a fire period. It involves a window which when starrers completes obstructs your vision and is a cut and blinding action if gets in eyes while driving. I implore the NHTSB to investigate this and order a full recall. It likely caused injuries or deaths already that are not known or reported as the reason for the accident/incidents.

The contact owns a 2016 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the brakes failed to function as needed while being depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Neither of the two rear seat head rests stay up. Also, they are too low when extended to full height to protect an adult from head injury in a crash or hard stop. Your head hits the rear glass window. I am 5'-9" tall. The head rest does not lock or remain up in any position. Applying very light pressure to the head rest causes it to drop all the way down. This occurs if you sit in the seat and lean your head back. I'm concerned that someone will be injured if these head rests aren't made to engage and stay in the extended positions. The front rests have a lock button that you must push to lower the head rest. The rear ones do not have this feature. This problem has occurred since the vehicle was new. I mentioned it to the dealer but they said that is how they are designed.

The engine light has come on with issues for transmission and the engine is shuttering/skipping. The tech found lifter failure and truck needs a transmission. I have been in contact with GM about this issues and submitted the repair cost for review.

At low speed, parking in reverse, brakes began failing. Symptoms included a vibrating brake pedal, and a large change in the amount of pressure needed to depress the brake pedal (low pressure required). Pedal went to floor without stopping power. Symptoms match existing NHRTA campaign 20V603, but 2016 is not currently covered by the existing recall.

Torque converter went out causing hesitations which led to the entire transmission needing replaced.