This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Silverado suspension problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 25,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Silverado | 13 |
| 2013 Silverado | 18 |
| 2014 Silverado | 44 |
| 2015 Silverado | 20 |
| 2016 Silverado (this page) | 22 |
| 2017 Silverado | 14 |
| 2018 Silverado | 28 |
| 2019 Silverado | 20 |
| 2020 Silverado | 13 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 Silverado 1500 suspension system shows a clear pattern of premature component failure and persistent vibration that dealers struggle to diagnose or fix.
Rear leaf spring and bushing failure is the most concrete defect. Springs fail around 15,000 miles on both factory sets and GM replacements, allowing metal-to-metal contact that produces a hollow thump or banging from the truck bed—loud enough owners compare it to a loose spare tire. Owners report dealers perform TSB-recommended lubrication and torque checks repeatedly without lasting relief. The problem escalates with mileage. Some owners have found success with aftermarket springs, suggesting the original design is inadequate.
High-speed vibration dominates the complaint volume. Affecting vehicles with 308 miles to several thousand miles, the shaking typically starts around 70 mph and worsens as speed increases. It's violent enough to slosh liquid from cup holders and numb hands on the steering wheel. Owners describe rear-end vibration visible in the mirror. Dealers blame tires, perform up to six road force balances, replace tires, driveshaft, and differential—none of it sticks. One technical bulletin reference exists for torque converter shudder, but its applicability is unclear. GM acknowledged the problem but declined to recall it.
Premature tire wear compounds the problem. Factory Goodyear tires wear to 40 percent by 24,000 miles, with uneven cupping or feathering, independent of tire replacement or alignment service.
Upper control arms fracture or wear bushings, causing clunking, power steering warnings, and unexpected pulling. One vehicle with identical symptoms to a recalled batch (42190) fell outside the recall VIN range.
Same Chevrolet Silverado suspension reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Rear leaf spring and bushing premature failure
Leaf spring bushings and mounting hardware on rear axle fail prematurely, causing the springs to lose integrity. Both factory and GM-replacement springs (made in different countries) fail at approximately 15,000 miles of use. The failure allows abnormal movement between spring and frame/axle, producing noise and vibration.
When: As early as 100 miles; reported recurrently around 15,000 miles on first set, then again on replacement set. By 30,000-38,000 miles, issue becomes severe.
Symptoms owners cite: Hollow thump noise similar to loose spare tire; Bind/wobble sounds from rear suspension; Banging and bouncing of truck bed; Vibration felt in cabin; Noise more pronounced at low speeds in reverse and forward; Problem worsens with mileage
Repairs/costs cited: GM TSB recommends pressure washing leaf spring assembly, checking suspension hardware torque specs, and disassembling/lubricating/reassembling leaf spring pack. These procedures have been performed by dealers but do not resolve the issue. Spring replacement temporary; replacement springs fail the same way. Some owners report aftermarket leaf springs resolve the problem permanently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued TSBs for diagnostic and temporary fixes (lubrication). Dealers perform TSB procedures without success. Replacement springs supplied by GM also fail. No recall issued. Some owners report filing claims with GM; GM refuses to pay dealers for remedies.
High-speed vibration (driveline/suspension sourced)
Vehicle vibrates or shakes severely at highway speeds (typically 60–80 mph), worse the higher the speed. Vibration is felt in steering wheel, driver seat, center console, and can be violent enough to slosh liquid from cup holders. Rear-end vibration visible in driver's side mirror. Presents from very low mileage (as early as 308 miles and 750 miles), persists despite extensive dealer attempts to remedy.
When: Present from new or within first month of ownership. Occurs at 60+ mph, most pronounced at 70–80 mph. Continues indefinitely; does not resolve with standard service.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shaking at 70–80 mph; Shaking and vibration from 45–65 mph, worsening above 65 mph; Vibration felt in steering wheel and driver seat; Entire truck shakes; visible in rear-view mirror; Center console shakes; liquid spills from cup holders; Vibration intermittent; fluctuates at constant speed; Shuddering with RPM tach needle jumping at steady speed; Vibration radiates from rear (driveline-type feel), not wheel imbalance; Hands and upper body numbed by shaking at cruising speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace tires multiple times (up to 6 road force balances), rotate wheels, replace driveshaft, differential (ring & pinion), and perform alignment. Independent tire shops also perform road force balancing at owner's cost. All repairs fail to resolve vibration. One dealer performed picoscope diagnostics, found no cause. Mechanics inspect transmission and rear axles; inspection finds no defect. Dealers claim vibration is 'within spec' despite severity. One technical bulletin referenced (PIP5337D) mentions torque converter shudder but is inapplicable to some affected trucks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM acknowledged the problem exists but stated it is 'not a safety issue at this time' and no recall is warranted. Manufacturer referred some owners to dealers for road testing but no permanent fix provided. One dealer offered to buy vehicle back at full value or trade in due to unresolved issue. No TSB or warranty remedy identified in narratives for high-speed vibration.
Accelerated tire wear and uneven tread wear
Tires wear prematurely and unevenly—inside tread feathering/warping, cupping across all tires, or heavy wear on outside edge (one case) of driver-side tire. Tire wear occurs at factory (Goodyear), with owner-reported failure at 24,000 miles (tires at 40% wear) and 19,000 miles (under warranty mileage). Wear pattern suggests suspension misalignment or excessive compliance.
When: As early as 19,000–24,000 miles; factory tires already worn to 40% and showing cupping at 24,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Premature wear of factory Goodyear tires; Feathering and warping of inside tread area; Cupping across all tires; Uneven wear (heavy on outside edge, light on inside, or vice versa); Wear visible at very low mileage (under 25,000 miles)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replace tires and perform alignment multiple times; tire replacement and alignment do not stop ongoing wear on replacement tires. One owner's claim filed with GM; GM refused to pay dealers for tire replacement. Owner reports factory Goodyear tires as 'bad and unsafe.' No root cause identified or corrected.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers initially blame owner for tire wear; later, dealers perform tire and alignment service but provide no remedy for underlying cause. GM claims no responsibility for tire failures; no recall or warranty extension noted.
Front upper control arm fracture and bushing wear
Upper control arm on front suspension fractures, causing loss of steering control and illumination of power steering warning light. One case reported at 150,000 miles (high mileage). Separate complaints cite worn control arm bushings and noises associated with bushing wear (clunking, popping). Owner complaint references NHTSA Recall 42190 for faulty front upper control arm bushings; vehicle affected by same symptoms but VIN not included in recall.
When: Upper control arm fracture reported at approximately 150,000 miles. Bushing-related noises and control arm wear occur earlier; one owner notes clunking on takeoff and turning at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Upper control arm fractured during low-speed driving (30 mph); Power steering warning light illuminated; Clunking noise on takeoff from stop; Popping noise when turning or backing; Front driver-side tire worn heavily on outside edge
Repairs/costs cited: Upper control arm replaced at dealer. No other repairs documented for bushing wear or associated noise.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle's VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign 16V256000 (Suspension/upper control arm recall) despite exhibiting identical symptoms to recalled units. No explanation provided for exclusion. Manufacturer notified; vehicle repaired after complaint filed.
Rear suspension cracking noise
Abnormal cracking noise from rear passenger and driver sides of vehicle. Noise is distinct from banging/thumping of leaf spring bushing failure. One case diagnosed as rear leaf spring requiring replacement; however, same noise recurred after repair.
When: Reported at approximately 38,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal cracking noise from rear passenger side; Abnormal cracking noise from rear driver side; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Rear leaf spring replaced; cracking noise recurred after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer assigned case number (9-5360687978) but no permanent remedy identified or implemented.
Unexpected pulling and brake engagement with StabiliTrak activation
Vehicle pulls to one side unexpectedly while driving. Simultaneously, StabiliTrak indicator, 4WD indicator, and engine light sensors illuminate. Automatic door locks engage during event. Vehicle brakes unexpectedly when pulling occurs. Pulling is more pronounced when driving over potholes. Issue ongoing since summer (specific timing unclear from narrative).
When: Ongoing issue; started in summer; no specific mileage provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Truck pulls to one side unexpectedly; StabiliTrak warning light activates; 4WD warning light activates; Engine warning light activates; Door locks engage automatically; Unexpected brake engagement; Pulling worsens over potholes
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 7,582 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 25,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,582; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.