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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-CHEVROLET-TAHOE NHTSA data synced 3 days ago
2016 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Tahoe problems

252 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Tahoe?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
73 reports · fails ~57,550 mi · avg $450
severe
powertrain
44 reports · fails ~75,199 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
19 reports · fails ~47,802 mi · avg $850
moderate
steering
19 reports · fails ~34,406 mi · avg $700
severe
suspension
14 reports · fails ~72,558 mi · avg $900
moderate
engine
12 reports · fails ~35,243 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
8 reports · fails ~46,392 mi · avg $1,100
severe
body
7 reports · fails ~34,175 mi · avg $1,500
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2016 Tahoe's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2016 Tahoe?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Tahoe · powertrain
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The messages "Service Power Train", "Roll Down Driver Side/ Passenger Side Windows", along with several other unknown messages,…
12/29/2025 · at 97,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11707556.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2016 Tahoe · powertrain
-body- hood paint defect (aluminum oxidation) -brakes- vehicles doesn't stop and brakes get hard to push, and they also feel like they are skipping. -power train- brakes and transmission shifts hard from time to time. -electronics- DVD and rear inverter 110 a/c plug power went…
2016 Tahoe · brakes
While pulling up to the drive thru window to pick up our food, at very low speed, vehicle would not stop had put all of my body weight on brake pedal to get it to stop and avoid hitting car in front of us.
2016 Tahoe · brakes
When driving at low speed (parking lots i.e.) brakes don’t work properly and the brake assist message pops up on dash, it only happens at very low speed
View all 252 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 21V245000 April 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

A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 18V291000 May 3, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles

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.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 252 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 73 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 44,900–68,000 mi; Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 73 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,550 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 57,550 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Tahoe has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 252 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 3 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Chevrolet/Tahoe. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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