This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Silverado brakes problems
critical 225 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
225
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
21crashes
3injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 225 brakes complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 225 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Brakes accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes 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.
GENERAL MOTORS: PARTS FOR MOST VEHICLES, CLUTCH, MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY ARE, REQUIRED AND REQUESTED, TO BE RETURNED AND NEED TO REORDER REPLACEMENT PARTS USING SAME PART NUMBERS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Silverado brake complaints fall primarily into one category: loss of power brake assist when it's needed most—at low speeds, in traffic, backing up, and parking. Owners describe the brake pedal suddenly becoming rock-hard, requiring both feet or all their strength to slow or stop the truck. In many cases, the vehicle continues rolling despite a fully pressed pedal, creating hazardous near-miss or actual collision scenarios.
The failure pattern is consistent: drivers in stop-and-go traffic, backing into parking spots, or pulling into driveways experience the brake booster or vacuum pump losing function. Some report the pedal travels to the floorboard with no resistance; others describe it hardening mid-maneuver. A few describe the issue resolving after engine restart, only to recur later.
GM issued recall 19V645000 in 2019, offering brake system software recalibration. However, multiple owners report completing the recall work and experiencing identical failures afterward. Independent mechanics cite TSB PIT5361B and identify vacuum pump or booster failure. Repair costs range from $384 to $1,170. One owner reports brake pad wear to metal-on-metal at just 32,000 miles—far below normal life.
Owners also report difficulty obtaining reimbursement (one dispute over proof-of-payment requirements) and access issues (parts on backorder, limited dealer availability). Some dealers have declined further warranty work after the recall, leaving owners responsible for subsequent repairs.
Same Chevrolet Silverado brakes reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Brake booster/vacuum pump failure
Brake booster or vacuum pump loses effectiveness, causing hard brake pedal, loss of power assist, and severe reduction in stopping power. Typically occurs at low speeds, in stop-and-go traffic, when backing, or during parking maneuvers. Pedal becomes rock-hard and requires extreme force to stop the vehicle.
When: Primarily at low speeds; backing into driveways/parking spots; stop-and-go traffic; parking lot maneuvers. Some incidents reported between 15,000 and 175,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes extremely hard/stiff; Loss of power brake assist; Severe reduction in stopping power; Pedal travels to floorboard without response; Vehicle continues to roll forward or backward despite heavy pedal pressure; Clicking/grinding noises from brake system; Service brake assist warning light illuminates (intermittently or not at all)
Codes mentioned: Service Brakes hydraulic (NHTSA 19V645000), Service Brake Assist warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report brake booster pump replacement costs ranging from $384 to $1,170. Some report replacement of booster, master cylinder, vacuum pump, and associated tubing. Vacuum pump alone cited at $455–$706. TSB PIT5361B referenced by multiple owners and mechanics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 19V645000 issued; GM issued brake system software/calibration update (reprogramming). Extended warranty offered on vacuum pump. Some owners report recall completed but issue persisted. GM reimbursement program required extensive documentation; some owners report difficulty obtaining reimbursement due to proof-of-payment requirements.
Brake pedal becomes hard with no stopping power after multiple applications
Brake pedal stiffens after one or more brake applications, particularly in stop-and-go conditions or when pedal is released and reapplied quickly. Vehicle does not stop despite hard pedal; driver must apply extreme force to slow the truck.
When: Stop-and-go traffic, parking maneuvers, backing trailers downhill, repeated quick brake applications at low speeds. Occurs intermittently, sometimes resolving after vehicle restart.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes rock-hard after initial or repeated applications; Loss of stopping power despite hard pedal; Requires lifting foot off brake and reapplying to regain function; ABS system appears to activate or lock up; Vehicle continues rolling 1–5 feet after pedal is fully depressed; Problem resolves temporarily after engine restart
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist warning (inconsistently displayed)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics inconclusive; some shops suggest booster/vacuum pump replacement. One owner reports brake system software update performed but issue persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 (software recalibration) performed on some vehicles; owners report issue continued post-recall. No further remedies offered in several cases.
Brake pedal travels to floorboard with minimal or no stopping effect
Brake pedal depresses fully to floorboard with little or no resistance, yet vehicle fails to stop or stops much later than expected. Occurs most at low speeds, particularly in reverse or during parking. Brake fluid level typically normal; no visible leaks.
When: Low speeds, reverse maneuvers, parking lot entry/exit, pulling into driveways. Reported at mileages from 50,000 to 175,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes all the way to floorboard; Spongy or delayed brake response; Vehicle does not stop or stops much later than expected; Increased stopping distance (up to 5+ feet from 10 mph); No warning lights illuminated in most cases; Brake fluid level normal; no active leaks detected
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist (intermittently)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose or reproduce issue in some cases. No fault codes retrieved. Possible master cylinder failure mentioned by one independent mechanic. Repairs unavailable or incomplete.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 offered but repair parts unavailable on dealer lot. Dealers state recall repair may not resolve floorboard pedal failures. No alternative remedies provided.
Brake fade and inadequate stopping power on warm brakes or downhill grades
Brakes lose effectiveness after vehicle has been driven for sustained periods (warm brake system) or on shallow downhill slopes. Grinding/rumbling noise and metal-on-metal feel reported. Stopping distance increases and pedal requires harder pressure.
When: After sustained highway driving or frequent brake use; downhill driving; when brake system is warm. One owner with only 32,000 miles found rear brake pads worn to metal-to-metal.
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced braking effectiveness at highway speeds or warm brakes; Grinding or rumbling noise from front of vehicle; Metal-on-metal sensation; Increased brake pedal effort required; Brake fade on shallow downhill grades
Repairs/costs cited: One owner at 32,000 miles required full brake pad replacement (front and rear). GM offers optional 6-piston caliper and upgraded pad kit (~$4,000) as aftermarket upgrade; standard on 2019+ models. Normal wear explanation given by dealership, but mileage is abnormally low for brake replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership inspections report adequate pad thickness; no defect acknowledged. GM introduced brake upgrade kit as optional feature for 2019+, suggesting awareness of stopping-power concern.
Intermittent Service Brake Assist warning with no clear trigger
Service Brake Assist message illuminates on dashboard, sometimes with intermittent stiffening or loss of power assist. Message often clears on its own or after engine restart without permanent repair.
When: Intermittent; occurs during low-speed maneuvers, reversing, or after towing. Some owners report message appears and disappears without pattern.
Symptoms owners cite: Service Brake Assist warning light illuminates; Light may extinguish after engine restart; Brake pedal may stiffen momentarily then normalize; No lasting effect on stopping power after message clears; No warning in other cases despite failures
Codes mentioned: Service Brake Assist
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have pulled codes without performing repairs. Software updates/recalibration attempted with mixed results.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued extended warranty on vacuum pump. Recall 19V645000 software update offered, but owners report issue persists or warning reappears.
Brake system failure after recall/software update
Brake issues continue or worsen after completion of NHTSA Recall 19V645000 (software recalibration/brake system update). Owners report identical symptoms pre- and post-recall repair.
When: Weeks to months after recalled software update; timing varies. One owner reported failure 2 months post-recall.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard brake pedal at low speeds; Loss of stopping power; Pedal stiffness after multiple applications; Same failure pattern as before recall
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 19V645000
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple owners report recall performed but symptoms identical. Dealers refuse further warranty work, citing recall completion. Independent vacuum pump replacement sometimes resolves issue where recall repair did not.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V645000 issued and performed on vehicle; manufacturer states no further assistance available post-recall completion. Owners report inadequate remedy.
Synthesized from 225 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH from a complete stop, the brake pedal was depressed but went all the way to the floorboard and hesitated to respond, causing a 3 feet delay in stopping distance. The brake assist warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and whenever he would…
The brakes build up pressure when pushed multiple times causing the brakes to not engage and properly stop the vehicle. They get so tight you have to put all weight and force possible in them to stop. I've called multiple dealerships and even called gm directly and after investigation they say they could not simulate the issue and its not a known issue. I have found numerous reports on this and…
Brake pedal gets extremely hard and feels like maybe ABS tries to activate at times. Usually after pushing brake pedal a couple times in traffic or parking lots. I've almost driven into other vehicles and a building while pulling into a parking spot now several times. Today while coasting downhill toward a stop light I almost couldn't stop at the light! The truck, a 2016 silverado only has 57k…
Vehicle loses most to all of the pressure in the brake pedal at slower speeds or if coasting (foot off the accelerator) for short periods. Braking becomes extremely difficult and stopping distance drastically increases. Service brakes message comes on while in traffic as well, but only as a service notice, not a warning. This as been on going since january 2017, but has gotten dramatically worse…
When applying break pressure at slow speeds let's say under 10mph. If breaks are pressed repeatedly all break force is lost and break pedal becomes very hard. Breaks do not become useable until you begin to accelerate. This occurred while in stop and go traffic and while in parking is lots.
Had brakes trouble with your 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
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 brakes problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a serious issue. 225 complaints have been filed, including 21 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 160 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 42,500 and 70,500 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,500; a quarter make it past 70,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/Silverado.
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.