This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on at low mileage. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0420 and or P0430 stored. Technician should be advised that the catalytic converter efficiency Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0420 and P0430 are disabled for the first hour of engine run time to allow break-in of the catalytic converter. Technician will need to use a Tech2 to check the verify engine run time on the Engine Hour Meter in the Instrument Panel Cluster Data Display/Data 1 List in the scan tool match. If the engine run time is less tha
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 GMC Sierra powertrain problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 10 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 GMC Sierra, 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
Powertrain accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 powertrain 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 technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the transmission control module to correct a firm garage shift, start up clunk, and DTC P16F3 condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational buleltin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares and information on transmission fast learns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin provides a procedure on replacing the stator shaft support for vehicles with the condition of a delayed engagement after sitting with the engine off.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2016 GMC Sierra's 8-speed automatic transmission frequently exhibits violent, unpredictable shifts. Owners describe lurching forward during acceleration, hesitation at start, hard jerking during downshifts, and occasional slipping between gears with engine RPM spikes. Multiple owners brought trucks to dealers three or four times with no resolution; one was told the behavior is normal. GM has issued 18 service bulletins on transmission wiring harness and hard shifting but won't recall.
The brake system loses pressure intermittently, making the pedal hard and unresponsive, especially in parking lots and light traffic. Owners report increased stopping distances and having to muscle the pedal with excessive force. One owner experienced two separate brake failures; another at a dealership was told the system should be recalled but isn't. GM's response: repair happens only after a failure.
Additional complaints include uncontrolled lurching in reverse, a driveshaft clunk at stops (dealers call it normal), and a persistent vibration from 45 mph up that persists even after tire replacement and multiple balance attempts. One owner reported the vehicle pulls left and right unpredictably. Owners uniformly state dealers have been unable or unwilling to fix these issues.
Same GMC Sierra powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission hard shifting, lurching, and gear slip (8-speed automatic)
The 8L90 automatic transmission exhibits abrupt, unpredictable shifts with noticeable jerking during acceleration, deceleration, and gear changes. Owners report the truck lurches forward randomly, hesitates during start-up acceleration, and slips between gears with engine RPM spikes. Some describe shifts so violent they nearly collided with other vehicles or garage doors.
When: Occurs during normal driving, parking lot maneuvers, traffic stops, and downshifts; one owner reported issue starting a few months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, unpredictable shifting with jerking sensation; Lurching forward during acceleration or gear engagement; Hesitation and bucking during start-up acceleration; Gear slip from 1st to 2nd with RPM spike; Delayed shift engagement; Clunking noise during shifts and stops
Codes mentioned: Wiring harness faults (transmission), Misfire on startup (check engine light)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer visits yielded no remedy in several cases; one owner reports 3–4 dealer attempts without resolution. One narrative mentions tire replacement ($) as an attempted fix for related vibration, which failed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued 18 service bulletins for transmission wiring harness and hard shifting but has not recalled; owners report dealers claim issues are normal operation
Brake system loss of pressure and hard pedal
Brake system loses pressure intermittently, making the pedal hard and unresponsive at low speeds and highway speeds. Owners must apply excessive force to stop the vehicle, resulting in increased stopping distances. The issue occurs in parking lots and traffic and sometimes resolves temporarily only to recur.
When: Occurs during low-speed parking maneuvers and highway driving; one owner experienced it in two separate occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes stiff and unresponsive; Loss of brake pressure at various speeds; Greatly increased stopping distance; Hard pedal requiring excessive force to engage brakes; Loss of brake assistance in parking lots and on highway
Codes mentioned: Check engine light with various brake-related codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports GM repaired the vehicle after failure occurred; one dealer visit could not identify root cause and suggested multiple parts might be at fault
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner received notice that GM only repairs the issue after a brake failure occurs, not proactively. Dealers told one owner the issue should be recalled but is not.
Uncontrolled lurching in reverse gear
Vehicle lurches forward uncontrollably for several feet when placed in reverse gear, creating a safety hazard during backing operations.
When: Occurs when placing vehicle in reverse gear
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled lurching forward for several feet when shifting to reverse; Unpredictable vehicle motion during reverse engagement
Driveline clunk at stop
Driveshaft produces an audible clunk noise when stopping at traffic lights. Owners report this occurs on both their 2016 Sierra and prior 2009 Silverado, and dealers have classified it as normal operation.
When: Occurs when stopping at traffic lights
Symptoms owners cite: Driveshaft clunk noise during stop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM classified as normal operation; dealers report it is not a defect
Vibration at highway speeds
Persistent vibration from approximately 45 mph and above, present in multiple 2016 GMC Sierra trucks. One Dodge dealer stated it should be a recall issue. Replacement of three defective tires did not resolve the problem.
When: Occurs at 45 mph and higher speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Significant vibration from 45 mph and above; Persistent shake despite tire replacement and multiple balancing attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Three defective tires replaced (cost not specified); vehicle balanced, rebalanced, and road-force balanced without resolution. Dealer suggested issue may be related to tire quality rather than vehicle defect.
Vehicle pulling left or right during driving
Vehicle pulls to the left sometimes and to the right other times during normal driving, indicating potential alignment or suspension issues.
When: Occurs during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls unpredictably left and right while driving
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The truck has a horrible vibration from around 45 MPH and up. Have test drove other 2016 GMC sierras with same issue. Have taken it back to the Dodge dealership we bought it from and they said it should be a recall
Apparently, the 8 speed automatic transmission has issues with wiring harness and hard shifting which the manufacturer has 18 service bulletins out on yet still will not recall and fix problems. Also the brake system is faulty and unsafe it loses pressure and even braking at various speeds. After taking it to the dealership they can not figure out why and say it is various parts and should be…
This issue started a few months after I purchased the truck took it to two dealers they say its normal. Called GMC & they have no recall. When driving the truck & have to slow down in traffic the automatic transmission down shifts & has a very noticable jerk. Will actually jerk the hole truck. People who have rode with me tell me I have a transmission problem. What can I do
8 speed transmission bucks, hesitates, lurches forward, clunks, while startung acceleration or coming to a stop. I try to keep a big gap between my truck and cars in front of me at stop signs because it randomly lurches forward and I almost have bumped cars in front of me. I have had the truck into the dealer so manu times to fix the vibration issues as well, they said 3 tires that came in the…
Truck shifts really hard and is unpredictable. I almost drove through my garage door the other day shifting to drive from reverse. Truck will lunge forward or delay in shifting. There have been a few times I've had to slam on the brakes before I backed into something. I have brought it in 3-4 times for the issue and GMC won't remedy the problem.
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. Fortunately no vehicles or people were in my path during these occurrences. Gm has…
Looses brake assistance in parking lot and sometimes on the highway,check engine light comes on with various codes the most common is misfire on startup it happen in different occasions.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 GMC Sierra?
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 powertrain problem on the 2016 GMC Sierra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 33,571 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/GMC/Sierra.
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.