VehicleVerdict

2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 297 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Suburban year — the 2016 model ranks #14 of 47 Suburban years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 81 reports (27% of the total).

297

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Suburban years?

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes8127%
Transmission4415%
Electrical System289%
Engine279%
Other269%
Steering238%
Body & Structure114%
Suspension114%
Tires & Wheels103%
Airbags62%
Driver Assistance62%
Speed Control52%
Fuel System52%
Seat Belts41%
Seats31%
Lighting31%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V033000Visibility & WipersJanuary 12, 2017 · 214 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Suburban HD vehicles. These vehicles were assembled with a convex right-hand outside mirror, instead of with a non-convex (flat) right-hand outside mirror. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence

If equipped with the incorrect right-side rear-view mirror, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the convex mirror with a non-convex mirror and provide a new page for the owner's manual with the customer notification letter, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17017.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V256000SuspensionApril 28, 2016 · 3,738 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I HAD A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IN DEC 05, 2017 TROUGHT THE HIT , THE HIT WAS SO STRONG , AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT OPEN FOR ME AND MY FRIEND, SHE HIT HER HEAD AND KNIE ON THE BOARD I HAD CARDIAC CONTUSION HAD TO STAY AT THE HOSPITAL POLICE WAS SURPRISE THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO ON, AND THE HOSPITAL

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 12, 2017 · crash

WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, TRAMISSION SLIPS OUT AND REVS THE ENGINE. AT INTERSECTIONS SUV DOES NOT MOVE POSING A HAZARD AS VEHICLE HAS NO POWER TO MOVE. INTERMIDITALY VEHICLE LOSES POWER AT SPEED AND HAVING TO STOP AT SIDE OF ROAD.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 18, 2020 · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control) and 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) at the dealer; however, the failure recurred after the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 25, 2022 · crash

While driving on the interstate in Nevada (speed limit of 80MPH) I had my 2016 Suburban throw a rod through the engine block as I was in the left lane passing a Uhual on an incline. The vehicle made a loud bang, lost all engine power and protruded smoke so thick I could not see cars behind me. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 7, 2025 · fire

THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS STOPPED WORKING AND BLOW HOT AIR. I'VE NOTICED THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND HOSES ON THIS VEHICLE BUT NO RECALL HAS YET BEEN MADE. WE HAVE TO REFILL USING REFRIGERANT AND IT ONLY LASTS A FEW WEEKS AND THEN BLOWS HOT AIR AGAIN. IT DOESN'T…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 9, 2020

2016 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 297 complaints put the 2016 model at #14 of 47 Suburban years. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (81 complaints), transmission (44 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints).

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1993, 2015, 1995, 1997, 2001, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2002, 1998, 2016, 2008, 2004, 2021, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2012, 2009, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.