Menu

2016 GMC SavanaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2016 GMC Savana, most often about the steering. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-267 the manufacturer reports only 14% of affected cars repaired.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls7Lowest repair rate 14%Owner complaints61 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 29, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2016 GMC Savana has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering31
Electronic stability control (ESC)20
Service brakes20
Electrical system10
Wheels11
Power train10
Suspension11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2016 GMC Savana recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

45%repaired · 2025 Q2

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 23V-247 · Apr 6, 2023 · 150,830 vehicles · 68,020 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

70%repaired · 2020 Q4

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Recall 19V-387 · May 23, 2019 · 1,159 vehicles · 806 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

79%repaired · 2020 Q1

Electrical system

Recall 18V-655 · Sep 21, 2018 · 30,448 vehicles · 24,168 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

52%repaired · 2019 Q4

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Recall 18V-295 · May 3, 2018 · 207,483 vehicles · 107,281 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
14%repaired · 2019 Q3

Equipment

Recall 18V-267 · Apr 26, 2018 · 6,154 vehicles · 844 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

55%repaired · 2018 Q1

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Recall 16V-700 · Sep 29, 2016 · 40 vehicles · 22 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

54%repaired · 2017 Q3

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Recall 16V-184 · Apr 1, 2016 · 321 vehicles · 172 repaired

Risk. Without a TPMS, the driver would not be alerted if one or more tires became under inflated.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

2016 vs. every other Savana year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Savana median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2016 GMC Savana, and the recalls they led to.

  1. 6L90 Transmission FailurePE23016 · closed Jan 10, 2025
    No recall
In owners' words

What Savana owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11408196 · Apr 15, 2021
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…
Complaint 11365198 · Oct 19, 2020 · 62,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 GMC SAVANA. WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION WITH THE VEHICLE TURNED ON, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COOK CHEVROLET BUICK (1193 W…
Complaint 11219707 · Jun 13, 2019 · 53,900 miles

Own a 2016 Savana?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.