Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 GMC Sierra Denali
NHTSA data on file today
try.vin couldn't confirm NHTSA's recall list for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 30 owner complaints are on file.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 9 complaints
- Service Brakes 8 complaints
- Steering 6 complaints
- Engine 3 complaints
- Electrical System 2 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Of the 30 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 30 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,500–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 GMC Sierra Denali exhibits below-average reliability due to frequent powertrain, brake, and steering issues. Complaints indicate systemic concerns that may lead to higher unscheduled repair costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| powertrain | 50,000–80,000 miles | $1,500–$3,500 | very common |
| brakes | 40,000–70,000 miles | $300–$1,200 | common |
| steering | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$2,000 | common |
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $800–$2,500 | occasional |
| wheels | 60,000–90,000 miles | $100–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pad replacement every 25,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 50,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- Spark plug replacement every 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Grinding noise in brakes
- Stiff or unresponsive steering
- Delayed transmission engagement
- Engine misfire or rough idle
- Premature tire wear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 GMC Sierra Denali at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.