This informational bulletin provides a procedure on how to remove the paint stain that may present itself under the shipping film.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet 3500 body problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet 3500 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 3 body complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet 3500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for the Global Warranty Management (GWM) Warranty Parts Center (WPC) Part Photo Return Process (U.S. Dealers Only).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
There is no grille billet covering the radiator in the front of the vehicle and debris fills the coils on the radiator causing the transmission to run hot
Bad paint, extremely soft, chips easily. Rear of fenders and tailgate showed chips after 1500 miles, now front of rear fenders are chipped as well as numerous places on sides and front of vehicle. Dealer told me it was due to dust storm. My 2003 silverado has paint that looks newer than my 2016 and is parked in the same location.
Had body trouble with your 2016 Chevrolet 3500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2016 Chevrolet 3500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 19,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Chevrolet/3500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.