2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems

General information about Chevrolet-Suburban
Overview of popular issues
Recalls list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet since the 1935 model year. The longest-used automobile nameplate in the world, the Chevrolet Suburban is currently in its twelfth generation, introduced for 2021. Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size SUV, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.

Traditionally one of the most profitable vehicles sold by General Motors, the Suburban has been marketed through both Chevrolet and GMC for nearly its entire production. Along sharing the Suburban name with Chevrolet, GMC has used several nameplates for the model line; since 2000, the division has marketed it as the GMC Yukon XL. Since 2003, Cadillac has marketed the Suburban as the Cadillac Escalade ESV. During the 1990s, GM Australia marketed right-hand drive Suburbans under the Holden brand.

.The Suburban is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Chile, Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Peru, Philippines, and the Middle East (except Israel), while the Yukon XL is sold only in North America (exclusive to the United States, Canada, and Mexico) and the Middle East territories (except Israel).

A 2018 iSeeCars.com study identified the Chevrolet Suburban as the car that is driven the most each year. A 2019 iSeeCars.com study named the Chevrolet Suburban the second-ranked longest-lasting vehicle. In December 2019, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce unveiled a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Suburban, noting that the Suburban had been in "1,750 films and TV shows since 1952."

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Common 2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems

The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is known for a few common problems, primarily related to the air conditioning system, transmission, and electrical issues.

Transmission: The 2016 Suburban has also had reports of catastrophic transmission failure, which can cost around $4,400 to repair. This issue is particularly concerning as it can leave the vehicle inoperable and may require a complete transmission replacement.

Electrical Issues: Some owners have reported random electrical issues, such as the Trailer Brake System alarm beeping continuously, which can be very distracting and potentially dangerous. This issue has been reported in low mileages, indicating a possible manufacturing defect.

Brakes: The 2016 Suburban has also had issues with the brake system, with some owners reporting a stiff brake pedal that fails to stop the vehicle properly. This issue has been attributed to a flawed brake vacuum system and can cost up to $1,300 to repair.

Exhaust, Engine, and Drive System: Owners have reported various problems with the exhaust, engine, and drive system, including excessive oil consumption, stalling engines, and low oil pressure. These issues have been reported in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 Suburbans, but their frequency is not high enough to deem them unwise purchases.

In-car Electronics: Some owners have reported issues with the in-car electronics, including electrical failure and refrigerant leakage in the climate system. These issues can affect the overall functionality and comfort of the vehicle.

In conclusion, the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban has several common problems, primarily related to the air conditioning system, transmission, and electrical issues. It is essential to be aware of these potential issues when considering purchasing a used 2016 Suburban. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and address these problems before they become significant issues.

What is the most common problem with the Chevy Suburban?

Common Chevrolet Suburban Problems

Excessive oil consumption: Several suburban models have struggled with excessive oil consumption. Many owners have reported that their Suburban consumed abnormal amounts of oil. For the 2010-2013 Suburban, the culprit was determined to be the change to the Vortec 5300 engine.

Are there any recalls on a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban?

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.

How many miles can you get out of a 2016 Chevy Suburban?

You'll find that most Chevy Suburbans last 125,000-150,000 miles, which isn't great but will suffice for those looking for a three-row SUV. Keep an eye out for various repairs along the way and keep up with maintenance to give your Suburban the best shot at a long lifespan. We hope this information was helpful!

What year is the best year Suburban to buy?

These are the most reliable years to consider:

1998 Chevrolet Suburban.
1999 Chevrolet Suburban.
2006 Chevrolet Suburban.
2010 Chevrolet Suburban.
2013 Chevrolet Suburban.
2017 Chevrolet Suburban.
2018 Chevrolet Suburban.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban.

What is the most common problem with the Chevy Suburban?

Common Chevrolet Suburban Problems

How many miles will a 2016 Suburban last?

The Chevy Suburban is predicted to last 125,000-150,000 miles, so high mileage is anything around or over 115,000. Once the car reaches this point, you're much more likely to encounter expensive issues that require more money to repair than the machine is worth.

Are there any recalls on a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban?

Is a Chevy Suburban reliable?

For many SUV owners, much of the appeal comes from the safety and reliability of a larger vehicle. That's especially true when it comes to the Chevrolet Suburban, which routinely ranks high in reliability and safety. In fact, if you're searching for a used Suburban, you'll often find several over the 100,000 mile mark.

2016 Chevrolet Suburban complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2016 Chevrolet Suburban recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban.

2019-10-24

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
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.

2019-09-06

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.

2017-07-10

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 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.
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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.

2017-01-12

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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.
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.

2016-09-08

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 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.
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 customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

2016-04-28

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Park It: 1
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
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 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.

Negative 2016 Chevrolet Suburban car reviews

Mervin Lesch 2025-01-03

Hello! It's 2022 and I wanted to share an update on my truck. While the paint has unfortunately deteriorated over time, the truck itself runs really well and has been paid off for years. I'm planning on painting it soon and keeping it until I can get an all-electric replacement, like a 'burban or Expedition. Speaking of which, my truck is about 5 years old now and while it has its virtues - it tows well, is great off-road, and handles snow like a champ - I have to say that the buffeting and fading paint are just unacceptable for the price point. I don't think I'll be buying another one, especially since they no longer have a solid rear axle. That was a key defining feature for me. In December 2017, I fabricated some rubber supports to wedge between the roof rack and roof to keep it from buffeting/booming. Unfortunately, GM has been a nightmare to deal with on this issue. These trucks are simply flawed due to their extremely thin sheet metal that is poorly supported. I would recommend waiting for the next body restyle before considering a purchase. Hopefully, the sheet metal gets thicker where it needs to be and is better supported. Before you buy, make sure to drive it a lot. These trucks have an issue where the roof comes detached from the roof bows, causing cabin booming like being inside a big drum. The roof will start to flex, causing pressure changes that hurt your ears. It sounds like driving with a window down when they are all up. Our dealer reattached the roof bows, but they came detached in a few months and the issues returned. Unfortunately, GM will not support any more work and will not return calls regarding the buyback we had been pursuing. It appears that only legal action would work at this stage. Beyond this issue, the truck is great. It has incredible fuel economy for a vehicle of this size and the interior is best in class.Unfortunately, this booming/buffeting issue is too hard to live with.
Orlando Ward 2024-11-28

I own a 2004 Suburban and I absolutely love it. Recently, we decided to buy another car and chose another Suburban. Although we bought it new and have owned it for three years, it has unfortunately required over $17,000 worth of warranty work. During this time, we encountered some issues with the dealership, but we were able to resolve them. However, I have now decided that it's time to move on from this car and explore other options.
Ashton Cremin 2024-11-18

Hey there! I just wanted to share my experience with you. I had a 2015 Suburban and unfortunately, I had some issues with the transmission and engine. I ended up having to replace the transmission for $6700. I know it can be frustrating, but I wanted to give you a heads up. It seems like Chevy is aware of these problems, but they haven't issued a recall yet. If you're in the market for a Suburban, I would recommend looking into a different year. In my opinion, a 2004 would be a better choice. Take care!
Jordyn Schultz 2024-09-29

This is the 3rd and last Suburban that I have owned. Unfortunately, this vehicle has been a nightmare for me. During the warranty period, it caused a lot of inconvenience and cost me a fortune. Even after the warranty period, I had to spend loads of cash to fix it. Almost everything that you can think of has gone wrong with this vehicle. For instance, the motor mount broke, the headlamps fogged, the AC condenser failed, the push rod bent, the rocker arm broke (different cylinder), the driver seat wobbled, and the seat heat stopped working. It takes 20 minutes of driving to warm up unless it's summer, and the vented part is not so great either. Now, at 60k miles, the magnetic ride suspension is shot, and it will cost me $2K to fix it. There are too many other issues to list, and I must say that this is the biggest POS ever. I have spent $75,000 in misery.
Jaquan Runolfsdottir 2024-09-13

Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to let you know that unfortunately, the big new feature that so many of us were looking forward to, the overdue power third row fold down seats, are not working properly. They seem to hit the second row and won't go down. I suggest taking a look at this issue and finding a solution. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Positive 2016 Chevrolet Suburban car reviews

Solon Ernser 2024-08-03

This car is perfect for families and storage!
Donnell Reinger 2024-07-20

112K miles. So far, it has been very reliable. I found that the dealership wanted $850 for the antenna, but I was able to replace it for only $50. The display software does expire, and a 3rd party company may require a one-time thumb drive upgrade for $120. The front and rear lower body panels may hit curbs and drag in snow, causing them to be slightly askew. However, the tow package works great on a 5,500lb boat. You can just toss everything in the back without needing to pack it.
Deontae Bergnaum 2024-06-05

I absolutely adore my 2015 Suburban! It has been such a reliable and high-performing vehicle that makes me feel incredibly safe. The bells and whistles are just fantastic! However, I have recently encountered a minor issue with the dual climate controls not syncing and the rear controls being locked to the back seat. It would be great if the nav updates were included for the first few years, especially considering the price tag of 62k. Nonetheless, the dual DVD/Blu Ray works perfectly, and I am in love with the tow package, moonroof, auto lift gate, heated seats/steering wheel, and the amazing Bose sound system. It's a hit with kids, dogs, and parents alike!
Berta Boyle 2024-05-25

Best SUV you've ever owned, totally redesigned to perfection!!
Arch Stroman 2024-05-25

We absolutely love our 78,000-mile 2015 Suburban LT! It has been performing all the tasks we bought it for without any issues. We were lucky to find an all black, leather interior, bench seat second row, LT - the bench seat is hard to find and much more useful. We can easily move seven people, two dogs, and all the luggage for a holiday weekend 150 miles each way to the lake while getting 17-19 miles per gallon on the highway. This is our third Suburban and we have to say that it is the best one yet! The redesigned-for-2015-Suburban rides better, is much quieter and gets much better gas mileage than our previous ones. We are amazed by how much storage space is behind the third row seats when they are up. The quality of the leather is much better than before, and the seats are much more comfortable. We are also impressed with the driver's seat that vibrates different edges of the seat to let the driver know about proximity to objects and lane departure. The cruise control is accurate and very easy to control with the left thumb on the steering wheel. The transition between 4-cylinder and 8-cylinder power is seamless and virtually undetectable unless you're looking at the information screen on the dash. We are aware of the many reported problems with 2015 Suburbans, but we have been lucky and love this vehicle. It is the Swiss Army Knife of family haulers!

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems:

2015-2016 Suburban Problems - Chevrolet Forum - Chevy ...

https://chevroletforum.com/forum/tahoe-suburban-25/2015-2016-suburban-problems-95226/

Apr 26, 2019 ... For example, my 2014 Escalade blew out all 4 MRC shocks at 90k miles, and I only learned that it is a common occurrence at that mileage after ...

2016 Transmission Issues - 2015-2019 Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon ...

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/230926-2016-transmission-issues/

Nov 12, 2019 ... If it was the Torque converter you would be getting codes. Get another opinion. I think Chevy has 0% offerings for the extended warranty as well ...

2016 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability - Consumer Reports

https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/chevrolet/suburban/2016/reliability/

Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Climate System · Transmission Minor · Brakes · Exhaust · Engine Major · Drive System · In-car Electronics · Engine Electrical.

Looking to purchase a 2015-2019 Suburban LTZ what problems ...

https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/229423-looking-to-purchase-a-2015-2019-suburban-ltz-what-problems-should-i-look-for/

Oct 7, 2019 ... We love our 2016 Suburban. Nice to be ... Seems to be the source of probably 90% of issues with the K2 Suburbans. ... Drives:Chevrolet Suburban ...