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2016 Chevrolet Tahoe problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 8safety recalls
- 257owner complaints
- 17crash reports
- 1fire report
- 13injuries reported
257 complaints, against an average of 189 for the other 14 Chevrolet Tahoe model years.
Every Chevrolet Tahoe model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The components named most often in the 257 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 257 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe stall, lose power or shut off while driving?19 owners · 7.4%
- Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?16 owners · 6.2% · Recall 19V761000
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe idle rough, misfire or hesitate?13 owners · 5.1%
- Has the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe had transmission failures?13 owners · 5.1%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?12 owners · 4.7%
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?11 owners · 4.3%
- Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?8 owners · 3.1%
- Why is the air conditioning not blowing cold in my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?8 owners · 3.1%
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe been recalled?
8 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train: Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)Do not drive General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
Seat Belts: Front General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Power Assist: Vacuum General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Seat Belts: Front General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Risk: If the pretensioner cable becomes fatigued or breaks, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pretensioner cable and seat side-shield, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18156.
Air Bags: Frontal General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Air Bags: Frontal General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Suspension: Front: Control ArmDo not drive General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
What do 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe owners report?
12 of the 257 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
On 7/28 while driving my vehicle, the ABS and traction control light came on unexpectedly (the symbol with the car and squiggly line in front of it). Nothing is wrong with the vehicle for these lights to come on as I keep up with all maintenance and repairs to this suv seeing that im the only owner. Then the next day, I noticed my truck keeps accelerating uncontrollably and then out of nowhere, the brakes would activate as if i am driving on ice (its summer time, there is no snow or ice on the roads). This issue keeps happening and today I almost got in a car accident for my vehicle…
I have been having issues with the brakes on my 2016 Chevy Tahoe for as long as I can remember. When going very slow, such as in a parking lot or pulling into a parking space, my car feels like I am driving on ice when I brake. I am not sure if I am actually going to stop or hit a car/person. The brake pedal also gets very hard. It makes a squeaking sound and also sounds "airy". It is an intermittent problem and does not happen every single time I press on the brakes when going slow. I received a recall notice back in 2019 for increased brake pedal effort and the dealer reprogrammed something…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH in sand, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off the vehicle, jiggled the steering wheel, and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Hello, I has problems driving my car like by brakes braking out of nowhere. There was even a couple times I felt like the car swerved, even though I did not do anything to the steering wheel. Then I found out I had a recall that said not to drive the car because it was dangerous so I parked it in my driveway and I have not driven it for many months as I’ve been getting rental cars. Eventually, I brought it into Antelope Valley Chevrolet and they told me they were going to fix it but then they actually told me that I had to pay around $1000 for a part that I found out later only cost under $100…
Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Mileage at failure: 96,700 miles Component: Powertrain – Transmission While driving on the highway returning home from Columbus, OH, my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe experienced a sudden transmission failure without any warning. We were traveling in the third lane at approximately 70–74 mph when the vehicle abruptly lost power and rapidly slowed down to approximately 15–25 mph. This occurred in active traffic and created an immediate and severe safety hazard. The sudden loss of speed nearly caused a collision with surrounding vehicles traveling at highway speeds. There…
At first it started with my brakes. I was at DQ and all of a sudden the brake peddle was hard and would barely go down. I then put my car in park. Now I have all new brakes, rotors, etc. Then now the car after 139,000 miles and only owning it for 3 years has this hesitation to go. It stumbles and once would go at all. I had to park right where I was, and restart the car. I have 5 kids, one at which is always with me whom is only 3 years old. This vehicle is not safe. Why it it that so many of us are having the same issue, but no recall has been done? I go this weekend to take the car in…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The messages "Service Power Train", "Roll Down Driver Side/ Passenger Side Windows", along with several other unknown messages, were displayed on the instrument panel. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred on several occasions, which required the codriver to wait several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The…
The stabilitrak notification comes on constantly. While we are driving/reversing and turn our steering wheel the whole car will shut down and the steering wheel jerks. It's happened multiple times. It takes forever for the car to turn back on.This is super dangerous and cause myself and my children to end up getting hit by another vehicle while on the road.
I was driving on the freeway when I lost power and the engine started to vibrate. Had to have it towed back to the dealer. They stated it was a bad lifter in cylinder six. It will cost 8K+ to repair. I have had the car less than a year and less than 90k in mileage.
Fuel pump went bad and needed to be replaced.
Driving down the freeway at 75 mph and the headlight started flickering any time I would use my blinker. 5 minutes later the car automatically breaks hard all by itself along with the dash lights going off and the doors locking and unlocking. 3 days later driving in town taking a hard left suddenly I get alerts on the dashboard saying, "parking assist off" and "stabilitrak" then suddenly my steering wheel JERKS VIOLENTLY all the way to the right. This happened 2x when I am driving!!! It is available for inspection upon request. If this steering wheel malfunction happens to someone driving down…
Transmission down shifts into gears,causing vehicle to stall out in traffic
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 257 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe; the most common categories were service brakes (92, 35.8%), power train (47, 18.3%), electrical system (31, 12.1%). There are 8 safety recalls. 17 complaints mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 13 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Across 257 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are service brakes (35.8% of complaints), power train (18.3% of complaints), electrical system (12.1% of complaints), steering (7.8% of complaints), engine (7.4% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe; the most recent (campaign 26V289000, 2026-05-07) concerns Power Train: Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). 2 recalls carry a "do not drive" or "park outside" warning from the manufacturer. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
19 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (7.4%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "I was driving on the freeway when I lost power and the engine started to vibrate. Had to have it towed back to the dealer. They stated it was a bad lifter in cylinder six. It will cost 8K+ to repair." (NHTSA complaint 11660697, May 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why do the brakes feel soft, fail or make noise on my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
16 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (6.2%) describe brakes feeling soft, failing, grinding or squealing. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 19V761000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring). The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. One owner wrote: "Brakes failed to work at low speed. Traveling in stop and go traffic on I-40 and the brake pedal became hard as a rock and was pulsing. Had to pull over and coast to a stop. Performed a test on the median of the highway and again the brakes failed to work." (NHTSA complaint 11494276, November 2022). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
13 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (5.1%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "My 6 yr old chevy Tahoe felt like it was hesitating when driving. I called my local garage and dropped it off. They informed me after inspection that the lifters have failed and now cylinders are in deactivation made. The fix is a new Engine. 10-14k dollars." (NHTSA complaint 11494209, November 2022). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe had transmission failures?
13 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (5.1%) describe transmission failure, slipping or a replaced transmission. One owner wrote: "I was driving to drop 3 out of my 4 children off at school when the transmission failed and started slipping and completely died in the middle of the road. The road is an extremely busy highway in our town." (NHTSA complaint 11615103, September 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
12 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (4.7%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "My car was acting like it didn’t want to go. I felt the car trying to change gears but it was unable to. Almost caused an accident and I had my two children in the car. No check engine light came on until 2 days later after it began causing problems." (NHTSA complaint 11537955, August 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
11 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (4.3%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "At 155,000 miles transmission shudders and slips gears. Torque, converter went out and started slipping more and whining and making a grinding sound." (NHTSA complaint 11699351, November 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
8 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (3.1%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "While driving in atleast in awd and I think it happened in 2wd. My abs light comes on with stabilitrack and trailer break. Once that happens driving feels weird like breaks are closing in." (NHTSA complaint 11553293, November 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the air conditioning not blowing cold in my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
8 of the 257 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (3.1%) describe the air conditioning not cooling or failing. One owner wrote: "Engine failure - lifters and cam shaft . Also, transmission had previously failed and had to be replaced as well as air conditioner condenser (pin hole leak)." (NHTSA complaint 11657896, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Tahoe
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.