2016 Gmc Savana problems

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The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks.

In production for a single generation since 1995, over 2.5 million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity.

Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway-chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).

2016 Gmc Savana

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Common 2016 Gmc Savana problems

The GMC Savana 2016 has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to its engine and transmission.

One of the most common issues is the transmission getting stuck in the third gear, which is a problem with the 4L60E and 4L65E types of transmission. This issue can be caused by a malfunction with the instrument cluster, with DTC set at P0753, P0740, P1860, and P0785. The most likely culprit is an open circuit 1020 between the transmission and fuse panel or a blown fuse. If the fuse has no battery voltage, it may require replacing the ignition switch.

Another problem with the 4L60E and 4L65E transmission is an abnormally harsh 1-2 shift, which can indicate excessive bore wear that holds the regulator valves and TCC isolator. This results in extreme line pressure, and the only solution is replacing the 4L60E valve body with isolator valves and revised TCC regulator.

When there is no movement when shifting to the third gear or Drive position, it indicates that the GMC Savana 2500 has problems. The solution is to replace the forward sprag assembly.

There is also a common problem with 4L60E Transmission and 4L65E Transmission, where the first and third gears seem to function correctly, but there are problems with the 2nd, 3rd, and reverse gears. The solution is to replace the heat-treated 4L60E/4L65 sun gear, which is a failure of the reaction sun gear.

In addition to these transmission problems, there have been reports of a transmission control valve problem in certain GMC Savana models, which has prompted General Motors to launch a customer satisfaction program. This issue can cause the transmission to not shift out of Park, and it can be fixed by repairing the transmission Control Valve Body Spacer Plate package and inspecting the impacted components.

Overall, these common problems with the GMC Savana 2016 can be frustrating for owners, but many of them can be addressed with repairs and replacements.

2016 Gmc Savana engine

Are GMC Savana vans reliable?

The GMC Savana 2500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 11th out of 21 for commercial vans.

How long do GMC Savana last?

If you keep up with the maintenance schedule of your Savana, it can last long term, whether you use it each day or a few times a week. The longevity of a GMC Savana is around 20 years at its maximum life span.

How many miles per gallon does a GMC Savana get?

Find and Compare Cars

2017 GMC Savana 2500 2WD (Passenger)
Personalize Find a car8 cyl, 6.0 L, Automatic 6-spd Compare
Fuel Economy
EPA MPGRegular Gasoline 13 combined city/highway MPG 11 city 16 highway 7.7 gals/100 miles

Can you stand up in a GMC Savana?

Cargo versions of the Savana offer as much as 287 cubic feet of cargo space; however, unlike high-roof versions of some competitors, tall users cannot stand up inside the Savana comfortably. Cargo vans come raw, with bare cargo areas for easy customization to fit your needs.

Are GMC Savana vans reliable?

The GMC Savana 2500 Reliability Rating is 3.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 11th out of 21 for commercial vans.

How long do GMC Savana last?

If you keep up with the maintenance schedule of your Savana, it can last long term, whether you use it each day or a few times a week. The longevity of a GMC Savana is around 20 years at its maximum life span.

What is the gas mileage of a GMC Savana?

Find and Compare Cars

2017 GMC Savana 2500 2WD (Passenger)
Personalize Find a car8 cyl, 6.0 L, Automatic 6-spd Compare
Fuel Economy
EPA MPGRegular Gasoline 13 combined city/highway MPG 11 city 16 highway 7.7 gals/100 miles

How many Litres is a GMC Savana fuel tank?

2023 2022 2021 GMC Savana

Pricing
Base priceCA$40,648
Trunk6,779 l
Fuel tank117 l (26 gal)
Towing capacity3,357 kg (7,401 lb)

2016 Gmc Savana complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Gmc Savana.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2016 Gmc Savana recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the 2016 Gmc Savana.

2023-04-06
  • Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: 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.
2019-05-23
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: Tempered glass increases the risk of injury in the event of a side impact or rollover crash.
  • Remedy: 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.
2018-09-21
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: If the CCM overheats, there is an increased risk of a fire in the vehicle's headliner.
  • Remedy: 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.
2018-05-03
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: High electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
  • Remedy: 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.
2018-04-26
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: 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
  • Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
  • Remedy: 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.
2016-09-29
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: If the driver does not have a clear unobstructed view to the back of the vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: 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.
2016-04-01
  • Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
  • Components: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
  • Summary: 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."
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: 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.

Negative 2016 Gmc Savana car reviews

  1. Eusebio Mitchell 2024-08-19

    Great van! It's amazing how much power and fuel mileage it provides for such a large vehicle. I'm really looking forward to purchasing the new GM Diesel van. We use it to tow the US Bobsled to shows and take it to a lot of Nascar Races. We're very active in racing, selling our products to several teams and sponsoring others. It's not uncommon to see Nascar drivers catching a ride in our van, which can seat up to 15 people. All in all, we're extremely satisfied with it.

  2. Merle Vandervort 2024-05-11

    I hope you're doing well! I noticed that you mentioned using your van to pull your fishing boat to the ocean. That sounds like a lot of fun! I was thinking that it might be helpful to have side mirrors that extend out for better visibility when backing up in tight spaces. I've seen some really nice ones on Ford pickups that might work well for your van. Some of them even retract and fold against the truck when not in use. I know you love your van, and I think this could be a great addition to make your fishing trips even more enjoyable. It's great that you have holders for all your fishing gear, too. Just lock up the van and you're ready for your next adventure!

  3. Lawrence Fritsch 2024-03-05

    Although I have always been a GM guy, this particular van has been a disappointment. The windshield cracked on the first day off the lot due to small stones, which is indicative of poor quality glass. Additionally, the AC failed within 6 months. The fuel efficiency is also subpar, with only 10mpg in the city or on the highway, and only 12mpg on the highway on one occasion. When towing my trailer, I was only able to achieve 6mpg. Overall, I would not consider purchasing this van again.

  4. Melvin Beer 2024-03-05

    After owning 6 GM vans previously, I must say I am disappointed with the configuration of the split mirrors. While driving down the highway, the upper mirror provides an accurate view, albeit smaller than in previous years. However, the lower mirror (installed for backup purposes) gives a distorted view that causes vision nausea, making for an uncomfortable driving experience.

Positive 2016 Gmc Savana car reviews

  1. Clovis Lynch 2024-11-19

    We have really enjoyed driving this vehicle for the last 14000 miles. It was a conversion by Cobra, nothing too fancy, but it has the best seats available. We didn't opt for a TV or mood lights, but that hasn't detracted from our experience. The fuel economy has ranged from 12.5 mpg in sub-zero city driving to 20.2 mpg on 55 mph rural roads, which we're really happy with. The only issue we've had so far is with the windshield weather stripping, which came loose while on the interstate. Thankfully, the dealer was able to make the repair, eventually. Unfortunately, GM treats the option list like all Savanna's will be plumbing trucks, so we didn't get an MP3 cd player, XM satellite controller, or trip computer. However, all of these items are available on the Yukon/Suburban, which this van is based on. It has a 5.3 V8 engine and was the same price as the Toyota Sienna, but the extra space was the deciding factor for us.

  2. Eric Huels 2024-08-07

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share a bit about our van. We bought it way back in 2004 and it's been through a lot with us. On our very first trip, it got hit by Hurricane Charley! Despite all that, it's still going strong and gets around 14 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on the highway. The 5.3 liter engine can go from 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds, and even though it's only RWD, it handles rain, snow, and ice like a champ. Plus, it's just really fun to drive! All in all, we've had such a great experience with this van that we're definitely considering buying another one in the future.

  3. Jaime Sipes 2024-07-24

    Very good in snow and provides smooth acceleration. The 4 speed auto is a little whiny. If you drive up a lot of hills, get the 6.0 v8 because it is a tad stronger off the line. My family loves this van. I'm planning my vacation in Catskills and all wheel drive will be helpful

  4. Jarrod Mann 2024-06-29

    It's great that this product is easy to maintain and generally rugged, which means it will last for a long time. However, it's worth noting that using DEF fuel can add to the cost of operation and the complexity of the fuel delivery system.

  5. Greyson Willms 2024-06-16

    If you're looking for a reliable work truck that also looks great, GMC is the way to go. I recently treated myself to a new truck after my 1986 model with 130,000 miles finally gave out. It was actually my partner's idea to upgrade, and I'm so glad I did. With GMC, I can set up my truck just the way I need it and enjoy my job even more.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2016 Gmc Savana problems:

GMC Savana 2500 Problems and Complaints - 22 Issues
GMC Savana 2500 Problems and Complaints - 22 Issues
https://repairpal.com/problems/gmc/savana-2500

Top GMC Savana 2500 Problems · Tail Light Wiring in Cargo Area May be Damaged · Electrical components under front carpet may be damaged when cleaning van interior.

Q&A: GMC Savana Fuse Box Location, Diagram & Turn Signal ...
Q&A: GMC Savana Fuse Box Location, Diagram & Turn Signal ...
https://www.justanswer.com/gm/5lifq-left-turn-signal-not-working-2008-gmc-savana.html

Sep 24, 2011 ... more than likely what is wrong is the turn signal/hazard flasher module is bad. This is a very common problem causing this concern. You can ...

2016 GMC Savana 3500 - Bad thermal fan clutch or faulty coolant ...
2016 GMC Savana 3500 - Bad thermal fan clutch or faulty coolant ...
https://repairpal.com/shorted-out-coolant-temperature-sensor-switch-or-bad-thermal-fan-clutch-442

Jul 2, 2020 ... I have a Savana 3500 cutaway that I run my trailer repair service out of. I recently started having issues that I've narrowed down to either ...

2003 GMC Savana 1500 -Peeling paint - Maintenance/Repairs - Car ...
2003 GMC Savana 1500 -Peeling paint - Maintenance/Repairs - Car ...
https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-gmc-savana-1500-peeling-paint/184305

May 25, 2022 ... My GMC 2003 SAVANA paint was pealing ... I realize you are frustrated, but paint problems are a pretty common ... van in 2016. I think you overpaid ...

Problems You Might Encounter with GMC SAVANA 2500
Problems You Might Encounter with GMC SAVANA 2500
https://a1performanceautorepair.com/problems-you-might-encounter-with-gmc-savana-2500/

May 4, 2020 ... Some of the GMC Savana 2500 Engine Problems ... Transmission getting stuck in the third gear is a common problem with 4L60E and 4L65E types of ...

Other years of Gmc Savana

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Savana 2017
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Savana 2018
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Savana 2019
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gmc savana 1994 photo
Savana 1994
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Savana 1995
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gmc savana 1996 photo
Savana 1996
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