The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban has 6 safety recalls and 220 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (78 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints220filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints
2016 Chevrolet Suburban in an NHTSA crash test
1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA do not drive advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Safety recalls
Service brakes
NHTSA recall 19V761000 · Oct 24, 2019 · 652,967 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Components: Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring; Electronic stability control (esc)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
NHTSA recall 19V645000 · Sep 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags › Frontal
Visibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
NHTSA recall 17V033000 · Jan 12, 2017 · 214 vehicles
Problem: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: If equipped with the incorrect right-side rear-view mirror, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17017.
Problem: 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 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Components: Seat belts › Pretensioner; Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive; Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA advisory: do not drive affected vehicles until repaired.
Problem: 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.
Risk: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2016 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV RWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2016 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV 4WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
20.3%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Suburban C1500 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Suburban C1500 2WD FFV
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Suburban K1500 4WD FFV
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Suburban K1500 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes
78
5
0
4
59,231 mi
Power train Automatic transmission › Torque converter; Transmission case/housing
45
1
0
0
100,600 mi
Engine
27
0
1
0
60,000 mi
Unknown or other
26
0
0
0
28,384 mi
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
26
0
0
0
51,000 mi
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 20, 2026Structure › Body There is a defective paint on my 2016 ltz suburban
Aug 25, 2026 · 202,000 milesVisibility › Sun/moon roof assembly The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud booming sound coming from the vehicle, and the sunroof glass exploded. During the failure, the sunroof cover was closed. Upon inspection, the contact discovered shards of glass inside the sunroof location. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 202,000.
Aug 16, 2026Power train 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. We barely had enough momentum to get out of the way of oncoming traffic at the last second. The oncoming traffic had to brake and honked. After reading online, this is a common issue with the 6l80 transmission torque converters being a failure point and the fluid temperature being too high. Gm has a service bulletin for a lower temp bypass valve but there is no recall and these units are failing by the tens of thousands.
Jul 20, 2026Service brakes While in the parking lot or stopping at the stop light the brakes will get hard and wonât brake .
Jan 2, 2024Structure › Body Hood and roof of Suburban has discolored and lost its shine coat. The door and panels are fine
Jun 9, 2026Electrical system As I was driving 75 mph down the highway my collision alert flashed all my lights turned off, including my headlights and all interior lights as it was dark time and they flashed back on a couple of times until they finally stayed on. I pulled over and as I came to zero, speed, the vehicle completely shut down. It did start back up, but this is not the first time I get a light on my dash that says stability track and then everything resets and I donât have any lights on at all after that this has been happening off and on I also have three coworkers that have the same make, and year that experienced the same problems ! My situation on the highway was very dangerous. It was pitched dark…
Mar 6, 2026 · 192,252 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a concrete pole, and the front end of the vehicle was significantly damaged. The contact stated that the pole was 12-18 inches into the hood, and 1.5 ft. up into the engine bay. The concrete pole was damaged. The air bags and the seat belt pretensioners failed to deploy. Several warning lights, including the check engine, the ABS, the TPMS, the air bag, the StabiliTrak, and the traction control warning lights, were illuminated after the crash. The contact noticed he had sustained bumps on the head and neck from hitting the steering wheel, but did not feel sore at the time.…
Apr 4, 2026Service brakes Per AAAâFront Airbag/Seatbelt and Increase break pedal
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE18012 · opened Nov 20, 2018 · closed Apr 10, 2022 · led to recall 19V645000Brake Vacuum Pump Failure 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 intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil…