2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Safety Report
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (7) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (251) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 18 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe with 46 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe before buying across this generation. |
Chevrolet Tahoe Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Tahoe years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe | 164 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe | 654 | 14 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe | 90 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe | 98 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe | 46 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe | 385 | 16 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes
65 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Chevrolet onlyPower Train
29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Chevrolet onlyUnknown Or Other
27 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Chevrolet onlyEngine
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Chevrolet onlyElectrical System
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Chevrolet onlySuspension
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Chevrolet onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Reliability Score
The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Recalled for wheel speed sensors and tone rings, indicating potential brake failure. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Recalled for vacuum power assist, indicating potential transmission issues. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belts Recalled for front seat belts, indicating potential safety concerns. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags Recalled for frontal air bags, indicating potential safety concerns. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe:
Recalled for wheel speed sensors and tone rings, indicating potential brake failure.
Recalled for vacuum power assist, indicating potential transmission issues.
Recalled for front seat belts, indicating potential safety concerns.
Recalled for frontal air bags, indicating potential safety concerns.
Recall Details for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
The following 7 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or a subsequent repair. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and s...
Consequence: A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212330040.
Summary: 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. 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.
Consequence: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
Consequence: If the pretensioner cable becomes fatigued or breaks, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pretensioner cable and seat side-shield, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18156.
Summary: 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 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 ...
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC custom...
Summary: 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 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...
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC cust...
Summary: 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. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Consequence: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
I purchased a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe on March 8, 2026, in [XXX] . After the sale, I discovered that the vehicle has serious undisclosed safety defects, including evidence that the airbag (Supplemental Restraint System) had previously deployed and was not properly repaired or restored to working condition, and were actually cut and removed from the vehicle and glued and covered up. This defect was no...
Hello, I has problems driving my car like by brakes braking out of nowhere. There was even a couple times I felt like the car swerved, even though I did not do anything to the steering wheel. Then I found out I had a recall that said not to drive the car because it was dangerous so I parked it in my driveway and I have not driven it for many months as I’ve been getting rental cars. Eventually, I b...
Vehicle: 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Mileage at failure: 96,700 miles Component: Powertrain – Transmission While driving on the highway returning home from Columbus, OH, my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe experienced a sudden transmission failure without any warning. We were traveling in the third lane at approximately 70–74 mph when the vehicle abruptly lost power and rapidly slowed down to approximately 15–25 mph...
At first it started with my brakes. I was at DQ and all of a sudden the brake peddle was hard and would barely go down. I then put my car in park. Now I have all new brakes, rotors, etc. Then now the car after 139,000 miles and only owning it for 3 years has this hesitation to go. It stumbles and once would go at all. I had to park right where I was, and restart the car. I have 5 kids, one at whic...
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 o...
At 155,000 miles transmission shudders and slips gears. Torque, converter went out and started slipping more and whining and making a grinding sound. Transmission had to be completely rebuilt, with all six clutches, and a brand new torque converter had to be installed.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the pedal was soft and was almost depressed to the floorboard. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the ABS/ESC warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the warning lights then started f...
Gear slip and shutter when accelerating loss power from taking off
Component Failure: AC condenser assembly failed due to thermal cycling cracks in combination transmission fluid/oil cooler design - exact failure documented in GM TSB 17336-05. TSB states "thermal cycling creates a crack that may allow refrigerant to escape." Safety Risk: AC system failure after sun exposure creates dangerous interior temperatures lasting 30-45 minutes with family including two t...
The sunroof shattered when nothing hit it driving down the road.
The stabilitrak notification comes on constantly. While we are driving/reversing and turn our steering wheel the whole car will shut down and the steering wheel jerks. It's happened multiple times. It takes forever for the car to turn back on.This is super dangerous and cause myself and my children to end up getting hit by another vehicle while on the road.
The vehicle shudders and shakes going down the road causing a safety hazard when failing. The transmission fluid has been changed multiple times and yet the transmission remains unstable with no errors or check lights appearing. When taken to the repair shop it seems there is a large number of failures for this transmission type.
There are times that the brake assist will stop working. The bake assist light has started coming on once in a while. I looked up the vin and it said all recalls were repaired. I have a concern that the vaccume brake issue was not properly taken care of at whatever dealership that claimed to fix the issue.
Air conditioning could cause a safety problem during hot days, forcing the driver to drive with all windows down and still remain very hot and sweaty while driving. The A/C system in this vehicle is so poorly designed that I've spent $6,000 in 8 years of ownership just to keep the A/C running. The primary problem is that is has a separate rear HVAC zone, which requires both high & low side freon l...
I was driving on the freeway when I lost power and the engine started to vibrate. Had to have it towed back to the dealer. They stated it was a bad lifter in cylinder six. It will cost 8K+ to repair. I have had the car less than a year and less than 90k in mileage.
Shuttering started with transmission which ultimately lead to the transmission failing at 140,900 miles. Costly repair for a vehicle that was serviced regularly.
Engine failure - lifters and cam shaft . Also, transmission had previously failed and had to be replaced as well as air conditioner condenser (pin hole leak).
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving uphill, the vehicle stalled and started rolling backwards. The contact allowed the vehicle to roll back to a stop sign. The contact depressed the brake pedal and shifted to park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the o...
My engine is blown at only 80,000 miles. Dealer said bad lifter. I was on the freeway and with no warning I lost power and black smoke. No warning. And now $16,000 to repair. Only 80,000 miles. At 100,000 you change spark plugs. I cannot afford to fix it. I spent 6 years saving up for just the down and now it’s gone. And I could have been very hurt on the freeway and hurt other people. I hope...
Summary: The straps on this car seat came loose with a firm pull with my baby already buckled in. Description: On Saturday April 5th, we place our baby in the Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Car Seat. My husband had our baby fully buckled in with the straps tightened when for some reason (thank goodness he did), he gave the straps a pretty firm pull (not holding the strap release lever dow...
Showing 20 of 251 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Service Brakes
Opened 2018-11-20 · Closed 2022-04-10
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as int...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Has the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 7 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE have?
The 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 251 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 17 involved crashes. 13 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE involve service brakes (65 complaints), power train (29 complaints), unknown or other (27 complaints). Other affected components include engine, electrical system, suspension.
How many crash reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE have?
There are 17 crash reports associated with the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE out of 251 total complaints (6.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE out of 251 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
13 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 251 complaints, 7 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (65 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (29 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (27 complaints), 4. ENGINE (10 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 65 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
Be cautious of potential recalls for service brakes, power train, seat belts, and air bags. Regular maintenance and inspection are crucial. The 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 251 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 251 owner complaints, 7 recalls, and 18 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
Known issues with the 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE include: Service Brakes, Power Train, Seat Belts, Air Bags. These are based on patterns found across 251 NHTSA complaints. 7 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Yes, there are recalls for service brakes, power train, seat belts, and air bags.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most common issues are with the service brakes and power train, followed by seat belts and air bags.
Can the air conditioning in a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe cause safety issues?
Yes, the air conditioning could cause a safety problem during hot days, forcing the driver to drive with all windows down and still remain very hot and sweaty.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential recalls for service brakes, power train, seat belts, and air bags. Regular maintenance and inspection are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The data includes 251 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 7 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 17 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 13 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14