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2016 Chevrolet Tahoe powertrain problems

moderate 44 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1fire

When does it fail?

Of the 44 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
1 (100%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Owners have filed 44 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

powertrain · 97,000 mi · filed 12/29/2025

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, were displayed on the instrument panel. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred…

powertrain · filed 12/29/2021

-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 out, and cell phone charger doesn't work. -seats- get stuck and won't go up or down at times. Forward and side collision…

powertrain · filed 12/11/2024

I bought my Tahoe from Dan Vaden Chevrolet in Savannah, GA with approx 58k miles. At around 88k miles I noticed the transmission hesitated when putting into reverse or drive from the park position. I had my transmission fluid changed at 70k and 100k miles. Now, at 112k miles, it has significantly gotten worse with shuddering between gears 1-3 and jerking when in reverse. Major hesitation when…

Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 44 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?

Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 40,000 and 109,300 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 109,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to powertrain?

No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Chevrolet/Tahoe. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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