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Direct rivals · Direct rivals in the full size suv segment

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe vs 2016 Ford Expedition

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-14 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2016 Ford Expedition edges ahead by a narrow margin

These two are direct rivals built for the same use case. The 2016 Ford Expedition comes out slightly ahead on reliability data (3.7 versus 3.5), but the margin is small enough that specific feature preferences could legitimately tip the choice the other way.

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

3.5/5
Reliability score
252 complaints
2 recalls (0 critical)
$11,700 repair exposure
vs
More reliable

2016 Ford Expedition

3.7/5
Reliability score
210 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$10,550 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2016 Ford Expedition edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 3.7 versus 3.5 on reliability. Close enough that specific feature preferences or one favorable price could legitimately swing it the other way.

If you lean 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, know what you're getting into on brakes and powertrain. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2016 Ford Expedition sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2016 Ford Expedition? Watch the electrical and engine. The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
2016 Ford Expedition
brakes
73 reports
severe · ~$450
46 reports
moderate · ~$450
powertrain
44 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
34 reports
severe · ~$2,500
electrical
19 reports
moderate · ~$850
29 reports
severe · ~$850
engine
12 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
23 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
steering
19 reports
severe · ~$700
5 reports
moderate · ~$700
suspension
14 reports
moderate · ~$900
No reports
cruise control
No reports
14 reports
severe · ~$600
airbags
8 reports
severe · ~$1,100
5 reports
severe · ~$1,100
body
7 reports
severe · ~$1,500
No reports
equipment
No reports
5 reports
severe · ~$500

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe or the 2016 Ford Expedition?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2016 Ford Expedition comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.7 versus 3.5. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Compared to the 2016 Ford Expedition, the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe sees more reported issues in brakes and powertrain. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2016 Ford Expedition?

Compared to the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2016 Ford Expedition has more complaints in electrical and engine. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe has more active recalls (2 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $11,700 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe on NHTSA · 2016 Ford Expedition on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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