2016 GMC Savana recalls and problems

The 2016 GMC Savana has 7 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
6
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 GMC Savana vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 GMC Savana recalls

Recall 23V-247: Electrical System

Reported Apr 6, 2023 · 150,830 vehicles affected · General Motors, LLC

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.

Recall 19V-387: Visibility

Reported May 23, 2019 · 1,159 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. One or both of the rear-quarter windows may be tempered glass instead of laminated glass. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Risk: Tempered glass increases the risk of injury in the event of a side impact or rollover crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tempered glass windows with laminated glass windows, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's number for this recall is N192218960.

Recall 18V-655: Electrical System

Reported Sep 21, 2018 · 30,448 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Express and GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a single, manual, rear climate control module (CCM). If the temperature is set to maximum heat or the mode knob is set to maximum floor vent and an electrical short occurs, components within the CCM may overheat.

Risk: If the CCM overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire in the vehicle's headliner.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the electrical insulation from a wiring connector within the CCM to remove the fire risk, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18299.

Recall 18V-295: Visibility

Reported May 3, 2018 · 207,483 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles equipped with power windows. Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.

Risk: High electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side window switch, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18155.

Recall 18V-267: Equipment

Reported Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD, 2009 GMC Topkick 5000, 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series and Isuzu F Series, and 2009-2018 Chevrolet Express, and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with certain Plastic-Handle Fire Extinguishers or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Isuzu customer service at 1-866-441-9638. GM's number for this recall is 18146.

Recall 16V-700: Visibility

Reported Sep 29, 2016 · 40 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Express manufactured September 25, 2015, to August 22, 2016, and 2016 GMC Savana cargo and cutaway vans manufactured January 28, 2016, to May 18, 2016. The affected vehicles were manufactured without an inside rearview mirror and with a right-hand convex exterior review mirror. These vehicles are required to have either an inside rearview mirror or both left and right-hand flat exterior rearview mirrors. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Risk: If the driver does not have a clear unobstructed view to the back of the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will instal a right-hand flat rearview mirror, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16036.

Recall 16V-184: Tires

Reported Apr 1, 2016 · 321 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana incomplete vehicles equipped with a 159 inch wheel base manufactured August 2, 2013, to January 30, 2016. The affected vehicles were shipped to final stage manufacturers without a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Risk: Without a TPMS, the driver would not be alerted if one or more tires became under inflated. Driving with under inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install the hardware and software necessary to equip the vehicles with a TPMS, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15819.

2016 GMC Savana problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Steering3
Service Brakes2
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)2
Electrical System1
Unknown or Other1
Suspension1
Wheels1
Power Train1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 53,900 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 GMC Savana complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Steering · reported Apr 15, 2021
I test drove the vehicle I purchased in the penske parking lot. I was not able to take it to the freeway. Vehicle felt fine, engine looked good, rear tires were worn, but I was told they conformed to DOT standards. After the purchase I started to drive it home. When I got on the freeway, I could not get the truck above 50 miles per hour with out severe vibrations. The truck also pulled to the right, it was obvious the truck needed a front end alignment. Penske gives a 15 day period when they will repair damage you have found. I arranged with alyse, the girl that works for penske sales in…
Service Brakes · at 62,000 miles · reported Oct 19, 2020
Occurs intermittently while driving over last 4 months in following order: intermittent death wobble in steering wheel when braking stabletrack dash light came on and brake lights would not turn off. Brake switch at pedal replaced. Brake lights now staying off. Stabletrack dash light came intermittently three times again. Steering wheel off centers itself to left a few degrees. Intermittent death wobble in steering wheel when braking re-occurs. Brakes pulling slightly to left. Brakes stop pulling left. Steering wheel re-centers. Intermittent death wobble ceases in steering wheel when braking.
Unknown or Other · at 20,300 miles · reported Jul 15, 2019
The doors automatically lock but do not always unlock when they should. In the past, a car door would open when the door release was pulled, regardless if the door was locked. I AM concerned about getting out of the vehicle in the event of a fire. I would like the option to turn off the auto lock feature.
Electrical System · at 20,230 miles · reported Jul 9, 2019
In 2004 I purchased a new chevy van. In 2006 my light switch wiring harness melted together and I could not turn my lights off. I paid to get this repaired. In 2008 this same van caught on fire while I was driving. I parked the van, opened the door and got out.safely. The van was a total loss but I was safe. In 2017 I purchased a 2016 gmc van. This van has a feature that automatically locks my doors. The doors do not always unlock when I park this van. I can't understand why I have to have this feature. I was able to egress my old vehicle that caught fire but I might not have the same luck…

Other GMC Savana years

Compare all GMC Savana years · All GMC models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 GMC Savana have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2016 GMC Savana: 23V-247 (electrical system), 19V-387 (visibility), 18V-655 (electrical system), 18V-295 (visibility), 18V-267 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 GMC Savana?

Owners report steering problems most often (3 reports), followed by service brakes (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 53,900 miles.

Are GMC recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized GMC dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.