Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2016 Chevrolet Suburban: common problems and reliability
· 2014-2020An average Suburban year.
220 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Suburban?The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban has 220 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and power train. Owners most often flag 6l80 transmission and torque converter failures, including slipping under wide-open throttle and shuddering: owners describe the transmission as notorious for torque converter failure and one owner cited a typical lifespan of only 130,000-140,000 miles.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Suburban years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Suburban?
Across the 31 Suburban model years we track, complaint volume runs from 44 (2020) to 757 (1999). With 220 complaints, the 2016 Suburban sits about the same as the model's median of 229.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Suburban
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Campaign 19V645000General 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.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring
Campaign 19V761000General 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. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior
Campaign 17V033000General 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
air bags:frontal
Campaign 16V651000General 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 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Show 2 more recalls
suspension:front:control arm
Campaign 16V256000General 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. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 17V437000General 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 Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
What owners report on the 2014-2020 Suburban
Owners of the 2014-2020 Suburban generally view it as a capable, spacious family hauler with a strong engine and good towing ability, but the ownership experience is heavily colored by recurring mechanical concerns.
- Very frequent6L80 transmission and torque converter failures, including slipping under wide-open throttle and shuddering
Owners describe the transmission as notorious for torque converter failure and one owner cited a typical lifespan of only 130,000-140,000 miles.
- RecurrentActive Fuel Management (AFM) lifter failure
Owners warn it causes lifter failure and recommend disabling AFM immediately.
- RecurrentAir conditioning condenser cracking, typically at the upper driver-side weld
Multiple owners reported this on 2016 and 2017 models, with some also citing evaporator and expansion valve failures requiring dash removal.
- IsolatedElectrical issues
Including shorts from water intrusion into door window switches and parking light problems.
- IsolatedLiftgate strut failure on the driver side, where the motor is built in
Owner insights for the 2014-2020 Suburban. Read the full 2014-2020 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Suburban listings typically run $17,061–$41,246.
Other Suburban model years
Compare every Suburban year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Suburban against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy