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: other or unspecified
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2020
WAS DRIVING TRUCK AT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY, WENT TO CHANGE LANES, WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL. LOST ALL POWER, THEN ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF. ENGINE CODE WHEN TAKEN IN TOO DEALERSHIP WAS P00700 AND U0100
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2019
HELLO. I HAVE A 2016 CHEVY TAHOE ... THAT I OWNED FOR 3 YEARS IN FEBRUARY . MY AC WENT OUT LAST OCTOBER. IT STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. I TOOK IT IN TO CHEVY . THEY CONFIRMED AND CHECKED WITH MY WARRANTY.. THANK GOD I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. AND IT WAS COVERED RIGHT NOW A YEAR LATER I'M SMELLING ROTTEN EGGS IN MY CAR ON HOT AND COLD WHEN YOU 1ST GET IN THE VEHICLE AND STARTED GOING TO HAVE THEN CHECK ...... ALSO MY STEREO STARTED GLITCHY AND TURNING BLACK HOW TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TAKE THE KEY OUT OPEN THE DOOR TURN IT BACK ON FOR THE STORY OF TO COME BACK ON SET ALSO WAS PART OF MY WARRANTY.... ALSO NOW WHEN I'M DRIVING I FEEL LIKE A BIG HUG ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE HITS ME OR IF THE TRANSMISSION BUT I'M WONDERING IF IT'S THE BRAKE SYSTEM MAKE AN APPOINTMENT...
Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2019
GPS ANTENNA LEAKED WHILE PARKED IN RAIN. SATURATED HEAD LINER, STEERING WHEEL, AND DRIVER SEAT. WATER PUDDLED IN DRIVER FLOOR MAT. GPS SIGNAL LOST UNTIL THINGS DRIED OUT. ALSO HAS IMPACTED COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN LAST 2 MONTHS. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BECAUSE VEHICLE IS GARAGED MOST TIMES. DOESN'T OCCUR WHILE DRIVING DURING RAIN, ONLY WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED AND WATER CAN STREAM IN THROUGH GAP ON BACKSIDE OF ANTENNA AND ENTER THE DEFECTIVE INNER SEAL. I HAVE SEEN MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS ON FORUMS. GM NEEDS TO CONDUCT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2019
TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING WHILE IN DRIVE. REVS HIGH BUT DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR NEARLY LEAVING ME STRAINED AT AN INTERSECTION AFTER TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGED. WOULD STRUGGLE TO GET UP TO SPEED WHILE SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS. I BOUGHT VEHICLE USED WITH APPROXIMATELY 85K MILES IN APRIL 2019 AND PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ALL THE MAINTENANCE COMPLETED AS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS ROUGHLY 90K MILES ON NOW. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING AT CHEVY DEALER IN IMLAY CITY, MICHIGAN ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND THEY HAVE YET TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I'VE USED THIS VEHICLE TO TOW MY BOAT. WHEN IN REVERSE AND BACKING BOAT INTO WATER AT BOAT RAMP I'VE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND IT SEEMS TO TAKE A SECOND OR TWO FOR THE BRAKES TO REACT MAKING IT FEEL LIKE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING IN REVERSE. NOT SURE IF THIS AN ISSUE WITH THE RECENT BRAKE RECALL SEPT 2019 OR TRANSMISSION ISSUES.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
THE CAR WAS PARKED. WE GOT IN & SHUT THE DOORS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR, THE DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS OR ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS. IT WAS WELL OVER 100 DEGREES IN THE CAR. WE WERE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH 911, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO RELEASE THE DOOR LOCKS AND WE ESCAPED. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPENED. EVIDENTLY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THE BATTERY WAS LOW. HAVING DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AND BE DISABLED DUE TO A BATTERY IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2019
THE GPS HAS A X THROUGH IT AND DOES GIVE DIRECTION AT ALL. THE ARROW ON THE MAP IS USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE,
Other or unspecified, Mar 26, 2019
INCREASED BRAKE EFFORT, BRAKES FREEZE UP IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND SLOW SPEEDS. PARKING, PARKING LOTS ETC
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH THE SHOP FOR REPAIR TO VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 70+ MPH. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE TOO.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2019
THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS STOPPED WORKING, THE CONDENSER HAS BLOWN AND IS BEING REPAIRED. GM HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, UP TO 60,000 MILES.. MINE HAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES, SO IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THIS, AS THEY ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL MODELS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2018
AC STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR AT 44000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2018
LEAK AT ANTENNA
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2018
MY SUNROOF IS LEAKING BY THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR AND ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WHEN IT RAINS AND THE SUNROOF MAKES A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE WHEN I GO OVER 60 MPH.
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018
AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD.
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2018
THERE IS WATER INTRUSION AT HE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR GOING DOWN THE PILLAR. A CALL TO THE DEALER AND ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE SHARK ANTENNA LEAKING ON THE ROOF. IT HAPPENED ONLY IN HEAVY RAIN WHEN BRAKING.
Other or unspecified, Dec 3, 2017
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 CHEVY TAHOE LAST YEAR. IT HAS APPROX 47,000 MILES ON IT THIS FAR. THE AIR CONDITIONER BEGAN BLOWING HOT AIR. I HAVE PLACE TWO CANS OF REFRIGERATE IN THE SYSTEM IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK. I CAN NOT IDENTIFY ANY LEAKS. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE VOICED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES AND REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT IS UNFAIR CONSIDERING I HAVE NOT DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND IS HAVING A/C PROBLEMS. I HAVE KIDS AND LIVE IN A SOUTHERN STATE THAT HAS 100 DEGREE WEATHER IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. I BELIEVE I DESERVE ANSWER AT LEAST!!!!!!
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2016
NO OPTION TO DISABLE (ONLY) THE HANDS FREE LIFT GATE FEATURE. AN OPEN LIFT GATE CAN BE TRIGGERED BY CHILDREN HELPING LOAD/UNLOAD THE REAR OF THE TAHOE CAUSING THE HEAVY LIFTGATE TO BEGIN TO CLOSE (OR OPEN). ALL POWER FEATURES OF THE LIFT GATE MAY BE TURNED OFF, BUT NOT JUST THE HAND-FREE FEATURE (KICKING FOOT UNDER BUMPER). GATE HAS CLOSED 3 TIMES ON MY WIFE/CHILDREN LOADING/UNLOADING GROCERIES. VEHICLE PARKED, OFF AND KEY FOB IN POCKET OF WIFE (NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE). THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR CHILDREN ESPECIALLY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2016, crash
VEHICLE PARKED IN LOT ON 8-18-16. WHEN WE CAME OUT OF STORE, THE TAHOE HAD ROLLED INTO ANOTHER SPOT. TWO CARS WERE DAMAGED. INCIDENT ON TAPE AT THE WALMART STORE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TAHOE WAS IN DRIVE. TWO OF US HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE AND COLLECTED SEVERAL SHOPPING CARTS, SO PEOPLE WOULD NOT DAMAGE THEIR VEHICLES. THIRD PERSON EXITED THE VEHICLE. IF LEFT IN DRIVE, (ELECTRIC START) NO BELLS OR ALARMS WENT OFF. DOORS WEREN'T LOCKED AS PERSON IN BACK SEAT WAS ABLE TO EXIT. WE WERE IN THE STORE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. ON VIDEO, THE TAHOE WAS IN ITS SPOT FOR QUITE A WHILE BEFORE ROLLING BACK. MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE SEVERAL WITNESSES.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2016
WHEN DRIVING, DRIVER AND PASSENGERS GET SEVERE HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, AND DISORIENTATION. THE CAR ALSO VIBRATES QUITE A BIT. THE PRESSURE INSIDE THE CABIN CAN BE FELT UPON TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, AND OPENING THE WINDOWS DOES NOT HELP. THE SENSATION ALMOST FEELS MAGNETIC. THE ORIGINAL TIRES FAILED A ROAD BALANCE TEST AND WERE REPLACED. THIS DID NOT HELP THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2016
TAHOE HAS A VIBRATION WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO V4 CONTINUES FROM 40MPH THROUGH 55 OR WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR. HAVE HAD IT IN SHOP THEY RESEALED THE BOWS IN THE ROOF , ROTATED TIRES , CHECKED THE EXHAUST NOTHING HAS FIXED. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS IN THE MOTOR WITH UNBURNED GASES WHEN IT SHIFTS INTO V4.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2016
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.