2016 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 20%of 220 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, 20% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had 2 Suburban in the last 5 years and the transmission failed right around 100k miles on both. They have a serious issue with it but have managed to get away with it as there has been no class action against it. My 2015 Suburban broke down around 96k miles and my 2016 Suburban at 101k. I'm sure if this is further researched then 90% of the these models must have reported the same problem around 100k. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377771, filed 2020-12, 101,200 miles“2016 Chevrolet Suburban has a serious vibration issue. The vehicle vibrates when it stays at a constant and even speed. Seems like when it goes into the 4 cylinder mode. This vibration causes headaches and vertigo when we are on long trips. I have had it in the Chevrolet dealer service department several times and is currently there now. I have read where this is a common issue with this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11181563, filed 2019-02, 12,000 miles“Since purchase, our vehicle has been towed into the dealership because it would not turn off and we had to disconnect the battery. The vehicle did that 2 more times after being towed in. It has had new motor mounts, new rotars, and has been in a GM service center 16 times. The most recent incident was when the vehicle died on a highway with 2 children in the car. Please see attached work history for the vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #11023344, filed 2017-09, 28,768 miles“Our vehicle which is used to move myself, my wife and our four children, has been experiencing lunging, vibrations, noise, like hitting the rumble strips in the road. Gm dealer said it was normal. Tachometer was fluctuating 250rpms, constantly. I was concerned when the dealer found nothing. I took the vehicle to a transmission specialist repair shop, the transmission shop said they have repaired over 80 GM vehicles, they all have a bad torque converter which comes apart and the metal destroys the transmission when it circulated through the transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #11316860, filed 2020-03, 88,000 miles“I bought a brand new 2016 Suburban. In april of 2018, it had a brand new GM transmission installed. Now, in november of 2019, my mechanic says it has to have another new transmission. I own 4 different GM SUV's, 2 yukons and 2 suburbans. One yukon is 2015, one Suburban and one yukon are 2016, and one Suburban is 2017. Each different GM vehicle has had to have at least one new transmission almost each year...and each new transmission fails after about 110k miles..slightly out of the reach of my warranty. This should not happen, and GM will not do anything about it.”
NHTSA complaint #11282515, filed 2019-11, 220,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11014044Feb 3, 2025This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11008966Sep 9, 2024This technical bulletin provides a procedure for the techs to replace the forward check ball and separator plate if found the cause of the customers concern of No Forward Gear…
- 11006473Jul 30, 2024This technical bulletin provides a procedure for the techs to replace the forward check ball and separator plate if found the cause of the customers concern of No Forward Gear…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 16% |
| 2023 | 19 | 14% |
| 2022 | 32 | 26% |
| 2021 | 39 | 19% |
| 2020 | 10 | 23% |
| 2019 | 38 | 49% |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% |
| 2016 | 45 | 20% |
| 2015 | 48 | 11% |
| 2014 | 5 | 8% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 9% |
| 2005 | 15 | 12% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 8% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 47 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 9% |
| 1997 | 47 | 11% |
| 1996 | 40 | 11% |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% |
| 1994 | 14 | 2% |
| 1993 | 11 | 2% |
| 1992 | 6 | 3% |
| 1991 | 9 | 17% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 5 | 8% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban
82 complaintsEngine
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsForward collision avoidance
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology