2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2016 Tahoe most often describe a hard or low brake pedal and longer stopping distances at slow speeds, typically in parking lots or driveways, and many mention that a prior brake recall repair did not resolve it. Transmission shudder, delayed engagement and rough shifting are also common, usually reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, along with occasional electrical and warning-light complaints.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Hard or low brake pedal, long stopping distance

   • 75 complaints (29%)
   • median 56,500 mi at 3.4 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the brake pedal becoming very firm and hard to push, or sinking close to the floor, so the vehicle keeps rolling at low speeds such as in parking lots, driveways and stop signs. Some owners report a grinding or popping noise and an intervention by the stability or ABS system. Several say the dealer applied a brake-related recall remedy or replaced a brake module, and that the condition came back afterward; others were told the vehicle was not covered by the recall. Most often reported between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, usually at speeds under 15 mph and often in reverse.

   Recall 19V761000Recall 19V645000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake vacuum pump and electronic brake control recalls (19V645000 and 19V761000) were performed and whether the owner noticed a firm pedal afterward. On a test drive, try repeated light stops in a parking lot and note any hard pedal or extra rolling.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Was involved in a auto accident in sept 2017 in which I rear ended another vehicle.I was traveling southbound on greenmount road in shiloh il. Coming to a stop at a stoplight at about 30 MPH, I was trying to kill a spider so my eyes were off the road but when the collision alert alarm sounded I immedietly hit the brakes which were hard making braking difficult there is no way an impact should have happended. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11101822, filed 2018-06, 47,000 miles

   “We took a family vacation to ny and almost died because our brakes went out. If you research 100's of people have had their 2016 Tahoe brake pump fail. I am also experience my car jerking. I am beyond myself that a recall hasn't been issued because I am getting ready to go pay for a part that is faulty. You want to make this recall fast or people will die. You cannot have your brakes go out like that!! I didn't spend $50k on a cash less than 2 years ago for my family to die.”

   NHTSA complaint #11160703, filed 2018-12, 44,900 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, delayed engagement, harsh shifting

   • 44 complaints (17%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the Tahoe hesitating or feeling like it is in neutral when pulling away from a stop, then jerking hard into gear, with RPMs rising before the vehicle moves. Others report shuddering or vibration at highway speed, rough downshifts, and in some cases the vehicle stalling or losing power in traffic. Dealers diagnosed clutch plate damage, torque converter problems and transmission failure in some complaints, while others were told the transmission operated normally. Reported from very low mileage up to about 110,000 miles, with many complaints clustered between 50,000 and 90,000 miles.

   Recall 26V289000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Have a pre-purchase inspection include a transmission fluid check for condition and metal debris, and drive at steady highway speed to feel for shudder. Ask whether the transmission has been serviced or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I first noticed the vehicle did not want to go a couple times after being at a red light. Acted as if it was in neutral and then would abruptly shift. Check engine light was on. Have just over 83,000 miles on it and was very good at getting it maintenanced. I had the oil changed 3 days before and at that time I mentioned about what was going on but they would have to have the vehicle for much longer to check it out and I could not wait. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11407518, filed 2021-04, 83,000 miles

   “Purchased car with 120 miles, about 25k miles I noticed small delay in acceleration when going from complete stop. Mentioned to dealer they stated all was ok. At 50k miles the delay in acceleration was far more noticeable. I would accelerate and RPM would go up to 4,5 or6 before car would move start to move. Brought back to dealer, did road test with tech and he acknowledged that something didn't feel right stated he would have transmission specialist look it over. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11311298, filed 2020-02, 150 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Dashboard warning lights and power steering assist loss

   • 67 complaints (26%)
   • median 59,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report clusters of warnings appearing at once, such as service StabiliTrak, service power steering, ABS and traction control lights, sometimes with the loss of power steering assist and reduced steering effort. Other complaints describe a no-start condition traced to battery wiring, intermittent loss of motive power with several messages on the display, and air bag or front camera warnings. Some dealers were unable to duplicate or locate the cause. Spread from low mileage to over 100,000 miles, with several reports around 60,000 to 90,000 miles.

   Recall 21V2450002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the vehicle and check that all warning lamps go out, and ask whether any electrical repairs or battery cable work were done. A diagnostic scan before purchase can show stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe ltz displayed service front camera when I got into the vehicle but didn't even start it yet. ( see pic) . I took it to the dealership they looked at it and told me yes its a known issue but GM has no repair procedure yet for it.the vehicle has 89 miles on it, have only had the vehicle for a couple of days. The windshield is perfectly clean and no obstructions of the front camera. The dealership said I will have to live with it until they have a fix for it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10820142, filed 2016-01, 89 miles

   “Vehicle showed service air bag message on dash display comes on every time vehicle is started. Took vehicle to nick mayer GM in lewisburg,tn and after diagnosis it was determined to need a passenger side air bag system replaced at a cost of 1380.00 vehicle was purchased new from this dealership by me as the only owner and has 34000 actual miles the vehicle was in motion at the first warning on a city street,.dealership told me that with this condition complete air bag system is non funtional can you help me get this fixed??”

   NHTSA complaint #11399193, filed 2021-03, 33,500 miles
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rough ride, worn or failed front suspension parts

   • 14 complaints (5%)
   • median 58,840 mi at 2.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2024

   Complaints describe noise and looseness over bumps, a rough or bouncy ride, and in some cases worn front control arms and ball joints found by a shop. Owners of models with the adaptive shock absorbers report the ride becoming harsh and the shocks needing replacement at considerable cost. A few also mention steering wheel noise or instability at highway speed. Most often reported between about 30,000 and 60,000 miles, and again at higher mileage when the adaptive shocks are replaced.

   Recall 16V256000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Ask whether the front control arm recall (16V256000) was completed on this vehicle, and listen for clunks over bumps on a test drive. On models with adaptive shocks, ask whether any have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In may 2018, our upper control arm assemblies were loose and making noises when driving over bumps. We took the car to les schwab and they found failure of both front control arms. The upper and lower ball joints were loose as well beyond what would be expected. They required use of our extended warranty to repair the defects.”

   NHTSA complaint #11279721, filed 2019-11, 58,840 miles

   “When driving my new 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, I am experiencing a booming noise over bumps in the road and experiencing severe pressure and pain in my ears from some sort of pressure created in the vehicles cabin. The pain is unbearable, I cant drive more than 10 minutes due to the pain in my ears while driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #10820697, filed 2016-01, 345 miles

Buying note. Give this model year a careful brake and transmission test drive, and confirm in writing that the open brake and front control arm recalls have been completed. A pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored codes and a check of the A/C and suspension is worth the cost on a vehicle of this age and mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.