MYRModel Year Report

2016 Chevrolet Suburban

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
219
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2016 219 2017: 141 complaints 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2002 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2016 219 2017: 141 complaints 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1995 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2001 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2003 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2007 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2013 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2016 219 2017: 141 complaints 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints

2016: 219 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015429
2016219
2017141
201881
201977
202044
2021196
2022121
2023123
202443

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

37% · 82 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On October 23, 2024, my 2016 Chevrolet Suburban was stopped in a line of traffic on a downhill. As traffic began to move forward, the brakes failed to hold, despite pressure on the brake pedal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-01-20

I had a very bad accident in dec 05, 2017 trought the hit , the hit was so strong , and the airbags did not open for me and my friend, she hit her head and knie on the board I had cardiac contusion had to stay at the hospital police was surprise...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-18

Also filed under Air bags and seat belts

While in the parking lot or stopping at the stop light the brakes will get hard and won’t brake .

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-05

Also filed under Forward collision avoidance

Power train

21% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing transmission case/housing and torque converter.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The transmission failed suddenly and without warning. When I Went to pull out from a stop sign with cross traffic doing 55 mph, the vehicle shuddered and stopped pulling.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-19

Engine

12% · 27 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While driving on the interstate in Nevada (speed limit of 80MPH) I had my 2016 Suburban throw a rod through the engine block as I was in the left lane passing a Uhual on an incline.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-24

Electrical system

12% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing cables.

Steering

11% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing power steering fluid.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 219 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2016-05-18Suspension16V256000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2016-10-13Air bags, seat belts16V651000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2017-02-07Visibility17V033000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Suburban HD vehicles. These vehicles were assembled with a convex right-hand outside mirror, instead of with a non-convex (flat) right-hand outside mirror.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the convex mirror with a non-convex mirror and provide a new page for the owner's manual with the customer notification letter, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2017-08-04Air bags, seat belts17V437000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2018-11-20Preliminary evaluationClosed 2022-04-10 Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
  7. R
    2019-10-08Service brakes, hydraulic19V645000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-12-11Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic19V761000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 82 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 16V256000 · Suspension
  • Recall 16V651000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 17V033000 · Visibility
  • Recall 17V437000 · Air bags, seat belts
  • Recall 19V645000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V761000 · Electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.