2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Transmission failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2016 Silverado 1500 report: transmission failure. CarComplaints.com lists 29 owner complaints, average mileage 86,350 miles.
NHTSA has 195 owner complaints for the 2016 Silverado 1500 in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770756 (filed 10/13/2026): “Vehicle: 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500 component: powertrain – automatic transmission (8l90) manufacturer: general motors (chevrolet) i am submitting this complaint regarding recurring transmission problems with my 2016 chevrolet silverado 1500 equipped with …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768767 (filed 10/03/2026): “"while driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of propulsion/acceleration due to internal failure of the 6l80 6-speed automatic transmission. the failure occurred without prior warning, creating an immediate highway safety hazard by leaving…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace transmission (18 reports) rebuild the transmission (6 reports) rebuild with better parts and better torque converter (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,700 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto