2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 47 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, 18% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 55,000 miles. One complaint involved a fire and one involved a crash; the related recall shown applies to 2026 model-year GM trucks, not the 2016 Tahoe.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 47
- 18% of 256
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 55,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report total transmission failure accompanied by smoke, forcing the vehicle to be pulled off the road.
- Some drivers describe the transmission hanging in neutral during acceleration, with engine RPM spiking toward redline before it violently re-engages.
- Several owners report the transmission unexpectedly slipping from drive into neutral at highway speeds between 45 and 60 mph.
- Owners describe a shifter design that can be left in a position the vehicle reads as park when it is not, allowing the vehicle to roll away unattended.
- Multiple complaints describe slipping, jerking, or hesitation when accelerating from a stop, sometimes with a burning smell or a shudder felt through the vehicle.
- Some owners report a growing delay between pressing the accelerator and the vehicle actually moving, with RPM rising before engagement.
When 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Apr 5, 2016, latest Jan 30, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Tahoe model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission complaints does the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- NHTSA lists 47 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Tahoe, which is 18% of the 256 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do 2016 Tahoe transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 55,000 miles.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- The only related recall on file (campaign 26V289000) covers 2026 model-year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with 4WD or AWD, not the 2016 Tahoe.
- Did any 2016 Tahoe transmission complaints involve a crash or fire?
- Yes. Among the 47 complaints, NHTSA records one crash and one fire, with zero injuries reported.
- How does 2016 compare to other Tahoe model years for this problem area?
- The 2016 Tahoe's 18% share of complaints tied to Transmission & Powertrain is lower than 2017 (31%), 2019 (36%), and 2020 (25%), but higher than 2010–2014.