2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area, with 93 complaints and a median failure mileage of 50,000, backed by 8 recalls including 2 do-not-drive campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Tahoe years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 256
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2016 Chevy Tahoe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes93 (36%)
- Other47 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (18%)
- Electrical System36 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires23 (9%)
- Engine22 (9%)
- Steering20 (8%)
- Fuel System14 (5%)
- Structure & Body12 (5%)
- Airbags10 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden, total transmission failure with smoke coming from the vehicle shortly after low-mileage use.
- Owners describe the brake pedal becoming extremely hard to push or going to the floor, sometimes leading to a collision.
- Several complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during a crash, including animal strikes and multi-vehicle collisions.
- Some drivers report a sudden loss of steering and braking control while driving at highway speed.
- One owner reported the vehicle would not start after dealer service related to a brake recall.
- A few owners describe the gear shift lever allowing the vehicle to roll away after being placed in what appeared to be park.
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V289000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain66 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 21V245000Apr 8, 2021Seat Belts2,568 vehicles
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V761000Oct 24, 2019Brakes652,967 vehicles
Service brakes
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.
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.
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Tahoe a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst of 21 model years for this model. Brakes account for 36% of complaints, the largest share of any problem area.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Tahoe?
- Brakes lead with 93 complaints and a median failure mileage of 50,000, followed by transmission and powertrain issues with 47 complaints and electrical system issues with 36 complaints.
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Tahoe, including 2 do-not-drive campaigns covering suspension and, for later model years sharing the platform, a four-wheel-drive transmission issue.
- How does the 2016 Tahoe compare to other Tahoe years?
- The 2016 Tahoe's complaint index of 60 is worse than years like 2014 (index 5, Best) and 2018 (index 10, Best), but better than 2007 (index 100, Avoid) and 2015 (index 90, Avoid).
- Were there airbag problems in the 2016 Tahoe?
- Owners reported crashes where airbags did not deploy, and NHTSA issued a 2016 recall covering airbag software reflashing for this model.