Recall 16V256 covers 3,738 2016-2017 Chevrolet trucks and SUVs with inadequate front upper control arm welds. Do not drive. Free repair at a Chevrolet dealer.
Inadequate front upper control arm welds can let the control arm separate from the bushing. That can compromise steering and increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the repair is complete. Ask the dealer about towing if it must be moved. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 3,738 2016-2017 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Suburban, and Yukon Xl vehicles under recall 16V256 because front upper control arms have inadequate welds near the bushing. Do not drive if your VIN is included; the control arm can separate, compromise steering, and increase crash risk until a Chevrolet dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The front upper control arm is a suspension arm that helps hold the top of the front wheel in the correct position. On the 2016-2017 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Escalade Esv, Suburban, and Yukon Xl vehicles covered by this recall, it works with the bushing and other suspension parts to keep the tire aligned while the vehicle steers, brakes, and rolls over bumps.
The problem is the weld near the upper control arm bushing. The supplier did not complete the welds properly. When that weld fails, the arm can bend or separate, which changes the wheel angle and significantly reduces steering control. Testing found the failure can happen during steering or braking, or after a hard road input such as a pothole.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the weld gives way, the first thing the driver notices can be a sudden change in how the vehicle steers or tracks.
Who's affected?
Spans eight nameplates across the 2016-2017 model years, all involving the front control arm.
| 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | control arm |
|---|---|
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | control arm |
| 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 | control arm |
| 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe | control arm |
| 2016 GMC Yukon | control arm |
| 2016 Cadillac Escalade | control arm |
| 2016 Cadillac Escalade Esv | control arm |
| 2016 Chevrolet Suburban | control arm |
| 2016 GMC Yukon Xl | control arm |
| Units affected | 3,738 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Inadequate front upper control arm welds can let the control arm separate from the bushing. That can compromise steering and increase the risk of a crash. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the repair is complete. Ask the dealer about towing if it must be moved. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Escalade Esv, Suburban, or Yukon Xl is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the front upper control arm repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free control-arm replacement and alignment that fixes the inadequate welds tied to steering risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V256 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician replaces the left and right front upper control arms, then realigns the vehicle. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Until that repair is complete, do not drive the vehicle. Chevrolet uses the manufacturer's standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid out of pocket for a related repair, bring documented repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how the plan applies to your claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 27, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 28, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| May 18, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V256?
Recall 16V256 covers 3,738 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, Escalade Esv, Suburban, and Yukon Xl vehicles with inadequate front upper control arm welds. The control arm can separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V256. If it is included, do not drive it. Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer and ask about towing so the dealer can replace both front upper control arms and realign the vehicle for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 16V256, the dealer replaces the left and right front upper control arms and realigns the vehicle free of charge.
What does 'do not drive' mean for recall 16V256?
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. The control arm can separate from the bushing and compromise steering. If the vehicle needs to move, call the dealer first and ask about towing instead of driving it to the service department.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V256000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-222-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V256 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V256000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →