general problems of the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Power steering intermittently goes out. Mostly when it's hot out, slow speeds, and cornering.

The steering is very loose. There are multiple complaints about this. I owned a 2017 GMC 2500 before this and had the same issue. I have not brought this into a shop because I’m not looking forward to the diagnosis & cost. This has been an ongoing issue for years. Gm needs to recall something in the steering box. Source: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

On June 27 2023 we we driving on a two lane highway pulling our travel trailer. We had driven 5 hrs the previous day parked unhooked and drove around the area with no issues. The following morning we left an were just entering the highway speed zone when the truck abruptly crossed the centreline. I managed to correct and stop n the shoulder and noticed 6-8” of play in the steering wheel. I dropped the trailer and slowly drove back to the town to try and see what the issue was. The vehicle continued to move left and right with no input from me. It was determined that the steering box was leaking and when steering was input a thumping could be felt in the tires but not in the steering wheel. The shop determined the box sector shaft adjustment shaft was nearly backed out completely. I contacted the dealership that services my truck about what should be done and they stated “replace the steering box” which we did. Had there been on coming traffic this would have been a fatal or serious collision and it is doubtful this defect would have surfaced as a causal factor.

There is excessive play in the steering causing the vehicle to wander. Problem is amplified at freeway speeds or while towing 5th-wheel. On some roads truck will pull one direction till change in road slop cause truck to swerve in opposite direction. Like many others have stated this is a dangerous situation. Problem has not been confirmed by service center on this truck, but manufacturer has issued TSB pit5501e. There are no warnings messages.

Serpentine belt broke . I have it available. Recommended service is 150k miles or 10 years . It broke at 55k and 5 years. Lost brake and steering assist. Almost impossible to stop or turn vehicle. It is a diesel and uses hydraulic assist. Dealer replaced belt could not determine cause of problem. Has not been inspected. No warning.

I bought this truck in October 2019. While out on the test drive, I noticed 2 to 3 inches of free play in the steering wheel. I asked them to look into it and they found a bolt in the steering box had backed out about a half inch on it's own. They found a TSB from gm saying to use loctite on the bolt. They fixed it and everything has been good for two months. I am now starting to feel free play again and the steering itself feels very loose/ no stiffness at all when driving at any speed. I've seen many owners in many different forums complain about the same issue and I fear for my families safety when towing our heavy camper next year on vacation. Gm needs to recall this issue before someone is seriously injured.

Sloppy loose steering, slack adjuster stud loosened 3/8 inch, 3 to 4 inch steering play. Unsafe. Loctite fix does not last. New re-engineered gear box recall needed.

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. While driving, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became different and had to be turned a few inches before the vehicle would respond and turn. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to laramie gm auto center (3600 grand Ave, laramie, wy 82070 (307) 460-4761) where it was diagnosed that the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 39,500.

At 2000 miles on my new truck, the steering became very loose. Dealer replaced steering box. I have now had it in 3 more times with loose steering. Very scarey to drive on the freeway with loose steering. You feel it more at higher speeds than you do at lower speeds.