MYRModel Year Report

2016 Chevrolet Suburban

◆ Worse than typical
2016 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2016 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 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: 499 complaints 1993 1994: 858 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: 291 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 427 complaints 2016: 216 complaints 2016 2017: 139 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2020: 40 complaints 2021: 177 complaints 2022: 104 complaints 2023: 107 complaints 2023 2024: 36 complaints 2024
2016: 216 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993499
1994858
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007291
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015427
2016216
2017139
201881
201970
202040
2021177
2022104
2023107
202436

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 36%

36% of complaints: service brakes — 77 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20250120

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, 20180218

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 42 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 27 distinct reports on file.

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, 20250524

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 25 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 10%

10% of complaints: steering — 22 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 216
R 20160518 — suspension

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.

Campaign 16V256000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161013 — air bags, seat belts

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.

Campaign 16V651000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170207 — visibility

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.

Campaign 17V033000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170804 — air bags, seat belts

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.

Campaign 17V437000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20181120 — PE (closed 20220410)

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

R 20191008 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 19V645000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191211 — electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 19V761000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2016 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (77 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (42 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 16V256000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V651000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V033000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V437000 (air bags, seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V645000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V761000 (electronic stability control (esc), service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2020

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1999 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

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 36% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.