NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
At a glance
What can fail
A missing drivetrain component in the transfer case can cause the front and/or rear wheels to suddenly lock up without warning.
This page covers 7 recalls and 214 owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban.
Brake-related complaints dominate the 2016 Suburban owner reports by a wide margin, followed by powertrain issues. On the brake side, owners most commonly describe a brake pedal that sinks, feels spongy, or requires excessive pressure to slow the vehicle, with some reporting the pedal traveling closer to the floor than expected before braking takes effect. A smaller but notable group mentions brake fluid concerns and reduced stopping power at highway speeds. On the powertrain side, owners report transmission hesitation, rough or delayed shifting, and in some cases complete loss of drive engagement. Engine complaints are fewer but include reports of the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while driving, a pattern mentioned across multiple reports, along with rough running and stalling at low speeds.
214
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban has 7 recalls, the most serious involving a transfer case defect that can lock up the front or rear wheels without warning, and a front upper control arm weld that can fail and cause the arm to separate, leaving the driver with reduced steering control.
On the brake side, two separate issues affect certain configurations. Vehicles with a 5.3-liter engine, 3.08 rear axle, and four-wheel drive have a driveline-protection sensor that can misfire and apply braking to one wheel unexpectedly, pulling the vehicle sharply to one side. Separately, the vacuum pump that assists brake pedal effort can weaken over time, requiring more force to stop and extending stopping distances.
The restraint system also has concerns: front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may fail to fire in a crash, leaving the driver and front passenger without full protection at the moment they need it most.
The final recall affects Suburban HD trims only, where the right-side exterior mirror was installed with a convex lens instead of the required flat one, causing the driver to misjudge the distance of vehicles in that mirror.
At a glance
What can fail
A missing drivetrain component in the transfer case can cause the front and/or rear wheels to suddenly lock up without warning.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transfer case and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wheel-speed sensor may fail, causing the brake control computer to incorrectly activate the driveline-protection system while driving 41–60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the brake control computer at no cost to prevent the system from activating incorrectly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vacuum pump produces less vacuum over time, which can reduce braking system performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module at no cost to restore proper braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right-side mirror is curved outward instead of flat, which doesn't meet federal safety standards for rearview mirrors.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the curved mirror with a flat mirror at no cost and provide an updated owner's manual page.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front upper control arms may have weak welds near the bushing, which could fail during driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front upper control arms and realign the front end at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.