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KLUNK
KLUNK

2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

The Verdict

48 Proceed with Caution

The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe has 253 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (87 complaints) and body (65 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 48/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Tahoe, consider the 2025 model year which has 86% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 86% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe dashboard →

48

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20009413435248
2001147266483126
2002136177615138
20031291092087117
200482812185926
200571221264922
2006551328108
2007420757711439
200819414313549
2009131101223111
20101721128125
20112311199205
201295664105
2013141659168
20144952865
201518918814110240
20166587323039
20173438253041
20183116132711
2019223184414
2020105141410
202153165724945
2022338258224
202318151912022
2024798333
2025673190

By Category

Brakes
87
Body
65
Transmission
39
Electrical
32
Engine
30

By Severity

1
117
2
116
3
2
4
18

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 2

THERE IS DELAMINATION HAPPENING ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF MY CAR AND IS PUTTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE CAR AT RISK WITH BARE METAL BEING EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS THUS CAUSING RUST AND BREAK DOWN OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE.

18d ago
Body 2

I live in Lake Charles Louisiana. I have a 2016 Tahoe LTZ my transmission went out .

3mo ago
Electrical 2

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 not disclosed prior to purchase and represents a significant safety hazard. It is available for inspection. This put my safety and others at risk because if I had not noticed that the airbag system was not working and was removed and if I had been in a wreck who knows the injuries that me or somebody else could have sustained. The problem has not been confirmed or reproduced by anybody other than me I have physical documentation pictures and diagnostic reports showing the issue. The vehicle has not been inspected by police manufacturer or insurance as of yet but will be completed in the very near future. There was an airbag warning light on on the dash of the vehicle when I purchased it my assumption that it was just an error or a warning since I knew that the vehicle had been in a minor incident but I would’ve never thought that all of the airbags would’ve been cut out and hidden in the vehicle. Through my own investigation, I also located what appears to be the seller’s Facebook Marketplace account, where he has dozens of vehicles listed under a personal profile. This suggests he may be operating as an unlicensed vehicle dealer (curbstoning) and potentially selling multiple vehicles with undisclosed defects. I have attempted to resolve this matter directly by sending a formal demand letter and allowing time for response, but the seller has failed to respond or offer any resolution and has ceased communication. I have documentation and evidence including photos, videos, messages, and screenshots of vehicle listings that support these claims. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

3mo ago
Brakes 2

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 brought it into Antelope Valley Chevrolet and they told me they were going to fix it but then they actually told me that I had to pay around $1000 for a part that I found out later only cost under $100 and takes three minutes to put in. This is apart from Chevrolet and not some knock off from China that I found for under $100 online. So I’m a little upset that I came in for a recall and they’re trying to get me to do a repair for almost $2000. They never even offered me a rental car and they’re threatening me saying that if we don’t move forward with it, they’re gonna charge me $50 a day for storage. I feel like they’re intimidating me to try to make me traded in for a new one, but I am not ready to get a new one. I just want to get my car on the road again.

4mo ago
Transmission 2

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. This occurred in active traffic and created an immediate and severe safety hazard. The sudden loss of speed nearly caused a collision with surrounding vehicles traveling at highway speeds. There were five occupants in the vehicle, including three children. Due to traffic conditions, other drivers were braking, honking, and swerving. I was only able to avoid a crash by immediately maneuvering across lanes to reach the shoulder. The vehicle was disabled and had to be towed. The transmission required full replacement. Total repair cost exceeded $6,000, and the vehicle was out of service for approximately two weeks. I am submitting the repair receipt from the transmission shop with this complaint. After the failure, I learned that sudden transmission failure is a commonly reported issue with Chevrolet vehicles, including the Tahoe. This failure occurred without warning and represents a serious safety defect that put my family and other motorists at risk.

5mo ago
Transmission 2

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 which is always with me whom is only 3 years old. This vehicle is not safe. Why it it that so many of us are having the same issue, but no recall has been done? I go this weekend to take the car in. Praying for some sort of miracle. And no other warning signs. Just starting acting crazy. Lights just came on this week.

5mo ago
Transmission 1

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 on several occasions, which required the codriver to wait several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

6mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

8mo ago
Brakes 1

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 flashing. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Electronic Brake Control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the vehicle had been repaired by the previous owner. The contact had to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that the recall had been previously repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

9mo ago
Transmission 2

Gear slip and shutter when accelerating loss power from taking off

10mo ago
Body 1

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 teenagers in 95°F+ NC summer heat. Risk of heat exhaustion/stroke during highway travel where immediate stopping impossible. Dealer Confirmation: Hendrick Chevrolet diagnosed refrigerant leak from upper left condenser on 7/22/25 (Invoice CTCS913252, $1,904.60). Official work order documents identical symptoms and repair operation covered by GM TSB 17336-05 Special Coverage. Manufacturer Knowledge: GM issued TSB 17336-05 acknowledging their combi-cooler design cannot withstand normal thermal cycling, affecting 908,000+ vehicles. GM provides Customer Service Satisfaction Campaign 17336-01 free repairs for this exact defect but denied my reimbursement (Case #72260590) solely due to mileage, claiming manufacturing design defect becomes customer responsibility after 60k miles. Symptoms: Problem began summer 2024 - AC functions normally when parked in shade but requires 30-45 minutes to cool after direct sun exposure, exactly matching TSB heat-soak failure pattern. No warning lights as system retained sufficient refrigerant until complete thermal stress failure.

11mo ago
Body 1

The sunroof shattered when nothing hit it driving down the road.

12mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

12mo ago
Transmission 1

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.

12mo ago
Brakes 2

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.

12mo ago
Body 1

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 lines to run under the length of the vehicle to a rear condenser. These lines are not shielded in any way from being hit by road debris. I'm replacing a leaking rear A/C for the third time at a cost of $1800. These lines should be shielded so they are not getting pelted by rocks and other debris. It's a very bad design that exposes a potential safety issue. When these lines break, it also dumps all of the freon into the atmosphere.

13mo ago
Engine 2

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.

14mo ago
Transmission 2

Shuttering started with transmission which ultimately lead to the transmission failing at 140,900 miles. Costly repair for a vehicle that was serviced regularly.

14mo ago
Engine 2

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).

14mo ago
Engine 2

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 oil pump, fuel injectors, and the spark plugs had failed. The contact's husband stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the instrument gauges decreased to zero(0) and then increased. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the camshaft and the engine lifters had failed. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

14mo ago

253 total

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