Eleventh generation (K2XX)
2016 Chevrolet Suburban
The most reported problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is brake wear, with 82 complaints, usually around 64,000 miles.
- 220owner complaints
- 6recalls
- 9involved a crash
- 64,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Suburban doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban has 220 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 11 Suburban model years since 2014, it has the 2nd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 20 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (14). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: brake wear, named in 82 of the 220 complaints (37%). A quarter of the 52 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 43,000 miles, and half by about 64,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 11 of the 220 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 9 reports mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 8 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 6 of 9, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Brake wear, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (19V-645 and 19V-761). A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2019, with 50 complaints, 2.1 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 15 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 82 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
220 complaints is about the median for a 2016 model on this site and about the median for a 2016 SUV. Among the 6 Suburban model years here it ranks 2nd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban
Chevrolet filed 1,779 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. 156 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 9 bulletins · 82 complaints
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the Hydrastar Electric Over Hydraulic trailer brake system causing a voltage spike into the trucks electrical system which is causing DTC C1114 to set.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicle that may have a "Check Trailer Wiring" or "Service Trailer Brake System” message on the Driver Information Center when a trailer is ...
7 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about fluid leaking from the brake caliper piston area found during a service of the vehicle.
This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of pulsing, grinding, scraping noise from brakes, uneven front brake pad wear.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to add PET tape to the brake cables if the cause of the customers concern.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the step needed to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have uneven brake pad wear. Technician will need to inspect and measure the brake pads thickness.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear brake rotors to correct a condition of Squeak/Squeal Type Noise Heard at Low Speeds During Brake Apply due to moisture build up on the rotors.
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of a Service Stabilitrak message displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Brake pedal goes hard or the booster or vacuum pump fails 2 bulletins · 33 complaints
N182202780 Special Coverage Adjustment. In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where customers may experience increased brake ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have issues were the customer will need increased effort to depress the brake pedal.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 18 bulletins · 15 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to diagnose and repair vehicles that have a no crank or a start and then immediate stall, Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator lamp may not be on when the ignition ...
16 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides service information for customer concerns of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated that may be caused by gelling of fuel in cold temperatures.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illuminated (MIL) - DTC P2635 and/or P018B Set In High Ambient Temperatures With Hesitation, Surging and Stalling Condition Some customers may comment that the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is illuminated.
This service bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of an in-tank fuel pump whining noise, engine hard to start and/or stalls and Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps need to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have stalling shudder and/or hard shifting into 1st gear or reverse vibration on launch (with excessive crankshaft end ...
This Bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of a siren or whine noise from the in-tank fuel pump at temperatures below -6C or 20F, accompanied by start and stall, no start, loss of power and MIL illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communicates to technicians that the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) or the auto headlamps will not shut off when using the daytime running lamp disable switch (Which is part of the headlamp switch), if the vehicles was built for ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that have remote start is inoperative, power lift gate Regular Production Option Code (TB5) is inoperative with the ignition off, ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that a whine noise heard from the automatic transmission fluid pan hear with the the key on and engine off, or for up to one minute after the vehicle has been shut off should be ...
This Technical Bulletin provides information to correct a customer concern of a siren or whine noise from the in-tank fuel pump at temperatures below -6C or 20F, accompanied by start and stall, no start, loss of power and MIL illuminated.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have hesitation or a stalling condition while in ambient temperatures 100 degrees or higher.
Plus 6 older ones not listed here.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 67 bulletins · 12 complaints
This informational bulletin provides information on Normal Radio Display Operation ? Display Does Not Remain Off at Times After Being Turned Off in Settings and no parts should be replaced due to this condition.
This Preliminary information communicates instructions dealer to inspect for a broken or damaged side objector sensor/module bracket if there is a "Side Detection System Unavailable" message displayed at startup.
65 more on this problem
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the radio for vehicles with the condition of Intermittent Pop Noise from the Speakers Followed by a Reset of the Radio and Clock due to a software issue.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have any of these concerns remote keyless entry, passive Entry and Start Inoperative, No Fob detect message on driver information center, service tire ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Navigation radio does not have a global positioning system location but OnStar is able to accurately locate the vehicle.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a “Service 4WD Message” displayed in the Driver Information Center. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes C0392 or C0396.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps to diagnose and repair the concern of the display is showing 32° F (0° C) after a battery or reprogramming a module.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone.
This informational bulletin provides information to the customer on the radio display "info pages" being blank and to make sure to select in the "active info pages" menu.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have intermittent and hard to duplicate Rear Camera blank, distorted, or fuzzy.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the radio will not retain the previous settings and will go to the Home Icon screen when the vehicle is restarted.
This informational bulletin provides information for the technicians on multi-media infotainment tester (MIT), does not function properly when diagnosing infotainment complaints, which may lead to mis-diagnosis.
Plus 55 older ones not listed here.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 19 bulletins · 11 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the transmission is slipping when shifting into 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th gears.
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise.
17 more on this problem
This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a Howling, Whining/Whirring Noise, Shudder/Vibration and/or Grinding Noise While in 4HI, 4HI Auto and/or During Parking Lot Maneuvers in Auto Mode.
This Technical bulletin provides a repair to correct a condition of Shudder/Surging While Driving.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating.
This informational bulletin explains how the trans slip or flare can be a normal condition.
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the customer may experience a 2-3 slip or flare after the vehicle has been sitting for a period of time.
This informational bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information and definitions to the technician about vehicles that have fishbite, chuggle, misfire, AFM disturbances or torque converter shudder/vibration concerns.
Information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
Plus 7 older ones not listed here.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 14 bulletins · 11 complaints
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer?s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General ...
12 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the steps to diagnosis and repair vehicles with various handling, vehicle dynamics concerns, noises from the suspension or underbody, or issues related to damaged ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle with Service ABS and/or Traction control lights/message on, Service Power Steering System, Service Suspension System, and or Loss of communication with EBCM, SWPS, ...
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to help diagnose and repair vehicles with a rattle, squeak, clunk, thump, or bump.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a creak, click, pop, and or crack type noise from the front suspension or front frame area while making tight turns.
Information Regarding the Differences Between Fluid Leakage and Seepage This bulletin is intended to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak and what is considered seepage.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a buffeting vibration and/or drone type noise, exhaust tone change, and/or body pressure booming.
This informational bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operations.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a squeak, clunk, or knock type noise from the front suspension when hitting bumps.
This informational bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair vehicles with a rough idle and/or vibration at idle in Drive. This condition will not be present in Park, or Neutral.
Plus 2 older ones not listed here.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 7 bulletins · 10 complaints
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with additional information on the functionality of Lane Keep Assist.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the power steering control module to correct a condition of Loss of Steering Assist due to a software abnormality.
5 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles thatmay have Service Front Camera, Service Lane Departure Warning, and Service Lane Keep Assist Message.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle with Service ABS and/or Traction control lights/message on, Service Power Steering System, Service Suspension System, and or Loss of communication with EBCM, SWPS, ...
This preliminary information bulletin provides information for diagnosing a power steering fluid leak at the fluid reservoir.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN ON HOW TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR VEHICLES WITH ONE OF THE TWO CONCERNS.
THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ADVISES THE TECHNICIAN ON THE STEPS FOR DIAGNOSING THE CONCERN, AND COMPLETING A WIRING REPAIR.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 20 bulletins · 10 complaints
This service bulletin provides a procedure on how to clean and resurface aluminum wheel bead seats for vehicles that have the condition of Tire Slowly Goes Flat, Tire Air Loss, Low Tire Pressure Warning Light Illuminated, Aluminum Wheel Bead Seat Corrosion.
This service bulletin provides information on Chemical Staining, Pitting, Corrosion and/or Spotted Appearance of Chromed Aluminum Wheels.
18 more on this problem
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with tire sidewall irregularities. This is a visual condition that will not affect durability, reliability or performance of the tires.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Vibration Shortly After Tires are Mounted/Preventing Vibration from Wheel Slip (Tire Sliding on Wheel).
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Tire/Wheel Characteristics (Vibration, Balance, Shake, Flat Spotting) of GM Original Equipment Tires.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the torque converter of the crankshaft on vehicles equipped with an automatic ...
This informational bulletin explains the wheel Road Force balancers and what they can do for customer concerns.
This informational bulletin aids the technician on diagnosing possible vibrations in a vehicle, methods used for testing each scenario and documenting findings.
This engineering informational bulletin is requesting information from the field on vehicles that have the condition of the steering wheel jerks, whips or kicks back when turning.
This informational bulletin provides information on the temporary tire flat spotting condition.
This informational bulletin provides information on Chemical Staining, Pitting, Corrosion and/or Spotted Appearance of Chromed Aluminum Wheels.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure on how to clean and resurface wheel bead seats. for vehicles that have the condition of Tire Slowly Goes Flat, Tire Air Loss, Low Tire Pressure Warning Light Illuminated, Aluminum Wheel Bead Seat Corrosion (Clean ...
Plus 8 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
50 complaints came in 2019, 2.9 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Brake vacuum pump failure. Closed apr 10, 2022, led to recall 19V-645.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
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 and remedy
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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17017.
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 and remedy
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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
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 and remedy
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 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
All 6 recalls on the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide One recall here carries a do-not-drive warning. What that means
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban?
Brake wear, with 82 of the 220 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 64,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Of the 137 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 36,000 miles and half by about 64,000.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 20 a year against 14.
How many 2016 Chevrolet Suburban complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
11 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls on the same system: 19V-645 and 19V-761. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.