2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 257 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 17 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, transfer case (4-wheel drive)Do not drive until repairedMay 7, 2026
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.
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V289000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontApr 8, 2021
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.
A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, wheel speed sensor/tone ringOct 24, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V761000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, vacuumSep 6, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V645000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontMay 3, 2018
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V291000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 10, 2017
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V437000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 8, 2016
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 16V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control armDo not drive until repairedApr 28, 2016
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.
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V256000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2025
Fuel pump went bad and needed to be replaced.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 3, 2024
While driving up a hill on a road trip the vehicle felt as if it wouldn't speed up when pressing on the accelerator- this was short lived. Upon parking in the driveway after the trip my husband noticed a fuel smell coming from the rear driver side of vehicle. The next day it was difficult to start and fuel smell was even more pronounced. As it was the weekend we did not drive it and waited to contact the dealer on Monday. Drove the vehicle to the dealership to have the smell diagnosed and while the engine was running and vehicle was in park, fuel began pouring out underneath. There were NO warning lights whatsoever. Fortunately our granddaughter had just been taken back to her parents as she had previously been in the vehicle! This could have caught fire!!! The vehicle is currently at the dealership and a leak in the fuel line has been diagnosed and is scheduled for repair as soon as the part comes in.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2024
2016 Tahoe Fuel problems/ transmission jerking mostly going up an incline/hill. Warning ️ lights/ check engine light flashed only 3 or 4 times, I stopped the vehicle, about 5 minutes then I started back to drive . I took it to Edward Chevrolet in Bham Al , I told them I may have pumped some bad gas, because it was spudding & jerking especially when I when up an incline/ hill. But they told me that the gears going out in the transmission & I need a transmission. I took it to them because the truck was spudding when driving. So when I got my vehicle back now the truck making a winding noise, it’s changing out correctly but when I go up incline/ hill , it hesitates, spudding, jerking. I have two other vehicles, I haven’t drove the vehicle enough to have a transmission problem. I asked other people that have Tahoes, even mechanics, said they been having problems with the transmission in 2016 Tahoe & Chevrolet trucks that carry that particular transmission, having the same problems. I think it need to be a replacement of transmission or recall established on the 2016 Tahoes & pickups!!! Sign please help, I don’t have no 6,200 for no transmission & haven’t even driven my truck enough to have a transmission problem! I have 3 more payments on my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, I haven’t enjoyed my vehicle it only have 148,000 miles, and the transmission going out , and that’s not right. You all need to check into this and do a Recall!!! [XXX]!! Sign please help INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 7, 2023
Fuel started leaking from top side of fuel tank. Seems to only leak while vehicle is running. My wife and family where all in the tahoe when this occurred. Also tahoe would shut down while driving just out of nowhere. Total loss off power and control. After a couple minutes it would start right back up. My family and kids were also in the car when this has happened.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 9, 2022
The fuel supply hose/line from the fuel tank to the vehicle connection rubbed through, due to a loose fit where it attaches to the tank, causing a fuel leak. There were no indicator/warning lights, though a hard start/extended cranking time occurred on occasion. Raw fuel could be smelled with a very slight drip, which could only be seen on clean concrete. Vehicle had only 54,000 miles on it and driven very lightly, but does drive on dirt/gravel roads.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2022
On 18 Apr 2022, my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ was found to have a gas leak around the fuel tank area when the car was taken to the Chevrolet Service Center for an oil change. On that day, there was both a strong fuel smell and presence of a pool of raw gas. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Additionally, I was not notified by GM/Chevrolet that this could be an issue. After inspection and diagnosis, the service technician found a "rubbed spot" on the the feed pipe and replaced it. He noted that he "made sure the new pipe is secured on tank as designed to prevent future occurrence". This vehicle is used as primary transport for my family. The fact that it leaked gas while I was driving put my family's safety at risk. I also believe that other owners and their families could be at risk. After researching the problem, I have found several posts from other owners and a service bulletin that describes the issue and the service procedures to fix it. I believe there should be a recall for this well-known major safety issue. I have emailed GM/Chevrolet's customer service department and provide them with details of my complaints and supporting documentation also attached in this compliant form. The items are: 1. My service invoice 799356 dated 20 Apr 2022. 2. Picture of the pin hole on the defective fuel feed pipe removed from my vehicle. 3. Service Bulletin 17-NA-304, dated February 2020 which provides guidance to professional technicians on the issue(s) and service procedures to fix it. The first edition of this bulletin was released in September 2017 which is after I purchased my 2016 Tahoe. 4. Several forum posts from other Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban owners who have experienced the same major safety issue.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 11, 2021
WENT THRU THE CAR WASH AND THE CAR FILED UP WITH GAS FUMES ON MY WAY HOME SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT THE FUMES CAME THRU THE VENTS.EYES WERE BURNING IT WAS SO STRONG I ALSO HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 90,000
Suspension, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 22, 2019
SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2016 I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT. 1.2016 TAHOE W/ 96,000 MILES BEGAN RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH ANY SPEED. SO MUCH BOUNCE AND JARRING THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON ANY ROUGH ROAD. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THE MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROL SHOCKS AND STRUTS FAILED AND ARE FULLY EXTENDED. COST TO REPAIR OVER $3,000 FOR 4 SHOCKS/STRUTS. 2. MY FUEL INJECTION IS HORRIBLE AND HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE MPG ON MY MILEAGE. IT HESITATES ON ACCELERATION AND WHEN IT SET ON CRUISE - BASICALLY ALL THE TIME LIKE ITS CHUGGING CONSTANTLY. 3. MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND THE PRESSURE IS NOT CONSISTENT ON THE,. ALL OF THIS BEFORE I EVEN HIT 100,000 MILES. I PAID $74K FOR THIS VEHICLE IN 2016 AND I HAVE HAD TO PUT LITERALLY ~$8K IN VEHICLE MAINTENANCE IN IT SINCE. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED!!
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 11, 2019
THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE TANK. SUSPECT IT IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE ON TOP OF THE TANK--NO HOLES OR IMPACT ON TANK APPARENT ON THE UNDER SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING OIL FROM THE DRAIN PAN EVEN AFTER RE-SEALED BY DEALER. THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE A/C GOING OUT TWICE....AND NEW LIFTERS IN THE ENGINE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 31, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY CHEVROLET (1233 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 457-3232) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT HIGH TEMPERATURE WEATHER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 5, 2018
SMELL OF GASOLINE. DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND AT FIRST COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEN RIGHT BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE SMELL. AFTER TESTING THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE WITH A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR TO BE KEPT INSIDE MY PASSENGER DOOR COMPARTMENT ON DRIVER SIDE. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH A DETERMINATION AS TO WHY THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG, BUT DID STATE THEY WERE ABLE TO RECREATE THE SMELL IN THE 2016 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2017S. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO UNLESS NEW COMPLAINTS ARE FILED. THE ODOR IS UNBEARABLE AT THIS POINT AND AM NOT WILLING TO HAVING MY LITTLE ONES CONTINUOUSLY EXPOSED TO THE TOXINS. THE SMELL HAPPENS UPON START OF THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF LOT LESS THAN 50 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2017
WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUMMER, MY WIFE INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED AND ALMOST DIED--SHORTLY AFTER, THE AC WAS NOT WORKING. I LEFT WORK AND CAME TO HER--FOUND THAT THE COMPRESSOR BELT HAD SHREDDED OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED COMPRESSOR. A MONTH LATER, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AND JERKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. I TRAILERED THE VEHICLE TO OUR HOME A FEW MILES AWAY. I DID NOTICE THE LONG BOLT HOLDING THE NEW COMPRESSOR WAS LOOSE (1/4" SPACE BETWEEN BOLT HEAD AND WASHER). THE BOLT WAS TIGHTENED, BUT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. WHEN IDLING, THE ENGINE JERKS SO HARD THAT THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES-THE ENGINE NEARLY DIES.. FOR SOME TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS PRODUCED AN UNUSUAL PURRING/CLICKING NOISE WHILE NAVIGATING THRU A PARKING LOT OR SOMETHING AT SLOW SPEEDS--SOUNDS LIKE IN THE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER? THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP NOW FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 17, 2017
VEHICLE STUTTERS AND LOSES POWER AND LUNGES AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TAKING OFF USUSALLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR AND 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. HAS BEEN IDLING ROUGH AS IF IT IS MISSING OR OUT OF TIME. VEH HAS HAD A POWER SURGE AND ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. HAS DOWN SHIFTED FROM 4TH TO 2ND WHILE TRAVELLING UP HILL AND VEH SLOWED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT AGAIN. VEH HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 26, 2016
MY BRAND NEW 2016 CHEVY TAHOE SHAKES WHILE AT IDLE IN "DRIVE". THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHO ACKNOWLEDGES THE ROUGH IDLE BUT SAYS "IT'S WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS". IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE GERBALS RUNNING UNDER YOUR SEAT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IT IS CONSTANT AND EXTREMELY ANNOYING. IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A CAR THAT SHAKES, NOT TELL THE CUSTOMER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEN CHARGE OVER $50,000 FOR THE VEHICLE, SHAME ON THEM. THIS WILL BE THE LAST GM VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASE. I WILL ALSO GLADLY DISCOURAGE ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN SUV TO PURCHASE A GM VEHICLE.