2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Specs
The 2016 Silverado 1500 versions covered here are the 285 hp 4.3L V6 with a 6-speed automatic and the 355 hp 5.3L V8 with a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic; a 6.2L V8 was available on the LTZ, LTZ Z71 and High Country. Against 2015, Chevrolet's brochure adds the 8-speed automatic as a 5.3L option and rates the 5.3L at up to 11,100 lb of towing (11,200 lb in 2015); the 4.3L stays at 7,600 lb. Oil and coolant capacities are unchanged.
2 versions · 3rd gen (K2XX) · Updated Oct 2026
- Oil capacity
- 6.0–8.0 qt
- by version ↓
- Tire size
- 17–18″
- by version ↓
- MPG combined
- 19–20 mpg
Versions #versions
Compare versions #compare
Recalls #recalls
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Roof rail air bag inflator may rupture
NHTSA 26V611000 · Sep 24, 2026 · Roof rail air bags
The end cap of a roof rail air bag inflator may come off, or the inflator wall may rupture.
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Roof rail air bag inflator may rupture
NHTSA 21V504000 · Jul 1, 2021 · Roof rail air bags
The end cap of a roof rail air bag inflator may come off, or the inflator wall may rupture.
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Wrong replacement tensioner cable may break
NHTSA 21V245000 · Apr 8, 2021 · Driver seat belt tensioner cable
Trucks that got an incorrect replacement tensioner cable during an earlier recall or repair can have the driver's seat belt cable bend over the seat side shield each time the driver gets in and out, until it fatigues and separates.
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Roof rail air bag inflator end cap may detach
NHTSA 20V736000 · Nov 25, 2020 · Roof rail air bags
The end cap of a roof rail air bag inflator may come off.
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Failed wheel-speed sensor may trigger driveline protection
NHTSA 19V761000 · Oct 24, 2019 · Wheel speed sensor (5.3L 4WD)
On 4WD trucks with the 5.3L and a 3.08 rear axle, a failed wheel-speed sensor at 41–60 mph in 4WD or Auto mode can make the brake control software engage the driveline-protection system.
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Brake vacuum pump output may drop
NHTSA 19V645000 · Sep 6, 2019 · Brake vacuum pump
The amount of vacuum the vacuum pump creates for the brakes may decrease over time.
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Brake pedal pivot nut may loosen
NHTSA 18V578000 · Aug 30, 2018 · Brake pedal (1500 Crew Cab Special Service)
On 1500 Crew Cab Special Service trucks, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, leaving the pedal loose or inoperative.
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Seat belt cable may fatigue and separate
NHTSA 18V291000 · May 3, 2018 · Driver seat belt cable (Special Service)
On Silverado 1500 police and special-service trucks, the driver's seat belt cable can be bent repeatedly over the seat side shield and eventually separate.
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16V651 repair may be incomplete
NHTSA 17V437000 · Jul 10, 2017 · Air bag control software
Trucks repaired under recall 16V651 may not have received the complete software update, so a diagnostic test can still keep the front air bags and pretensioners from deploying in a crash.
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Front air bags may not deploy during a self-test
NHTSA 16V651000 · Sep 8, 2016 · Air bag control software
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag sensing module can run a diagnostic test during which the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners would not deploy in a crash.
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Upper control arm welds may be inadequate
NHTSA 16V256000 · Apr 28, 2016 · Front upper control arms
The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the bushing, which can let the arm separate from the bushing and affect steering.
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Key-in-ignition and seat belt chimes may not sound
NHTSA 16V084000 · Feb 11, 2016 · Radio warning chimes
The radio may intermittently fail to sound the warning when the key is left in the ignition with the door open, or when the driver's seat belt is not fastened.
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Brake pedal pivot nut may loosen
NHTSA 16V069000 · Feb 5, 2016 · Brake pedal
The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, leaving the pedal loose or inoperative and possibly interfering with the accelerator pedal.
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Air bag module housing may fracture
NHTSA 15V830000 · Dec 10, 2015 · Air bag sensing module mount (trucks built Oct 13–14, 2015)
On trucks built October 13 to 14, 2015, the stud that mounts the air bag sensing and diagnostic module may be positioned incorrectly, so the module housing can fracture and let water in, which may affect air bag deployment.
FAQ
What is the lug nut torque on a 2016 Silverado 1500?
Chevrolet specifies 140 lb-ft (190 N·m) for the wheel nuts.
How much can a 2016 Silverado 1500 tow?
Up to 11,100 lb with the 5.3L V8 and up to 7,600 lb with the 4.3L V6, according to Chevrolet's 2016 brochure; the optional 6.2L V8 is rated up to 12,000 lb. The maximum for each engine is on its version page.
How big is the gas tank on a 2016 Silverado 1500?
26 gallons with the standard or short box and 34 gallons with the long box.
How long is a 2016 Silverado 1500?
From 205.6 in for a Regular Cab with the standard box to 239.6 in for a Crew Cab with the standard box, and 80 in wide.
Sources: 2016 Chevrolet Silverado Owner's Manual (1500, 2500 and 3500), 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brochure (horsepower, torque, towing, payload, length, width), Edmunds 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 features & specs (curb weight, base tire sizes), EPA fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA recalls. Updated Oct 2026.