2016 Chevrolet Suburban brakes problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

36 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, 29% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 85,800 mi.

Brakes complaints
36
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Related recalls
2
Median mileage
85,800 mi

Specific components reported

Brakes covers: Service brakes (hydraulic, electric, air), ABS and parking brake.

ComponentComplaints
Service brakes32
Service brakes, hydraulic4

Brakes complaints across Chevrolet Suburban years

320051200622007120111201312014432015362016262017122018420193202092021220225202352024
Brakes complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k330k–60k460k–100k5100k–150k1150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 19V761000Oct 24, 2019652,967 vehicles
    ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · SERVICE BRAKES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

    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.

    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.

  • Recall 19V645000Sep 6, 20193,456,719 vehicles
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

    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.

    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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jan 22, 2026NEBrakesElectrical SystemEngine
    I am reporting a severe and recurring safety defect where my vehicle suffers a complete loss of electrical and engine power while in motion. This happens without warning at various speeds and during various maneuvers, including making turns and driving straight. This has happened over 500 times since the 3 years i have had it. I have not felt safe in the vehicle for a long time and when i have taken it to have it checked no one could tell me anything because it was not…
    NHTSA complaint #11712643 · source
  2. Filed Jan 22, 2026MNBrakes
    Increased brake pedal effort to the point of difficulty to stop or control brake pressure at low speeds. This seems like the same issue reported in Safety Recall #N192268499-01, but my VIN is outside the covered range. Is the effected range in the recall correct? This has happened intermittently since we purchased the vehicle private party in 2022 with 115.5k miles on it, but is getting worse.
    NHTSA complaint #11712617 · source
  3. Filed Jan 20, 2026MIBrakesSuspension
    There are 2 components of the vehicle that I believe are malfunctioning. The first component would be the brake system. At first the problem presented itself when going down a parking garage it was approximately 5 miles an hour while applying the brake and the brake suddenly got stuck and really sticky, I had to apply extreme pressure to the brake to get the vehicle to stop completely. It was only after I put the vehicle in park, turned it off, removed the keys from the…
    NHTSA complaint #11712068 · source
  4. Filed Nov 18, 2025SDBrakes
    When driving at low speeds the brakes do not work. The vehicle will stop, but it is very hard to get it to stop. You must push the brake pedal all the way to the floor to get the brakes to work. This does not happen all time it will just happen out of no were, this can be scaring. I looked up to see if our vehicle has any current recalls, which it does not. But on 9/19/2019 we had our vehicle in the shop and they did do a recall at this time. It was Increased Brake Pedal…
    NHTSA complaint #11700004 · source
  5. Filed Aug 7, 2025175,000 miTXBrakes
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle brakes independently activated. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled off the highway and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and regained braking functionality. The failure was intermittent but occurred at various speeds. The failure occurred mostly while driving up an incline and depressing the…
    NHTSA complaint #11679020 · source
  6. Filed May 1, 2025CABrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionWheels & Tires
    Various times while I was driving my 5 kids have I had an issue with the brakes and having to over compensate to pump brakes to get them to stop in time or at all. Very scary
    NHTSA complaint #11658174 · source
  7. Filed Jan 20, 2025NJCrash1 injuredTowedBrakes
    On October 23, 2024, my 2016 Chevrolet Suburban was stopped in a line of traffic on a downhill. As traffic began to move forward, the brakes failed to hold, despite pressure on the brake pedal. This resulted in a low-speed collision with the vehicle in front, which then impacted another vehicle. Component/System: The braking system failed to engage despite pressure on the brake pedal. The vehicle is a total loss; however, documentation of the damage is available through my…
    NHTSA complaint #11637087 · source
  8. Filed Jan 8, 2025100,000 miOKBrakes
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign and driving at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The brake service warning light illuminated after the failure. The contact was able to pull to the side, turn off the vehicle, wait a moment, and restart. The failure persisted and progressively worsened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11634856 · source
  9. Filed Oct 21, 2024SDBrakes
    I see that some 2016 Chevy Suburban's have recalls on this with brake issues. I checked to see if ours had a recall and it doesn't but I believe that it should as we have a serious safety issue with ours. We have had a couple of mechanics look over our brakes and lines and none can seem to find anything wrong, but it is very intermittent and we never know when the issue will start. Sometimes the Service Brake Assist light will flash on, but other times it will not. Basically…
    NHTSA complaint #11620922 · source
  10. Filed Mar 6, 2024109,260 miGABrakes
    The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 2 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the brake pedal was very difficult to depress. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to depress the brake pedal before the vehicle stopped. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he shifted into park(P) and turned off and restarted the vehicle and normal brake functionality was…
    NHTSA complaint #11575841 · source
  11. Filed Aug 11, 2023SCBrakes
    I keep getting a brake assist message on my dash. If I am braking at a slow speed, the brakes get so hard to press, and eventually will not let me stop unless I press the brake as hard as I can to the floor. An example, when I am dropping up and picking up my children from school, the brake will vibrate and gets harder to press with each time. With the stop and go in the school line by the time I get to the front to pick up my child it's almost impossible to stop. I have…
    NHTSA complaint #11537970 · source
  12. Filed Jun 6, 2023FLBrakes
    Brake problems started on 11/05/2019, brakes were unresponsive upon starting up the vehicle. During operation of the vehicle the brakes were not working properly, the brake pedal would drop to the floorboard with shuddering and did not stop the vehicle in a timely manner. I was driving my 2 small children to speech therapy and I stopped my vehicle and had a family member come pick up my children to get them out of my vehicle and I drove straight to the dealership. Left my…
    NHTSA complaint #11525596 · source

Other 2016 Chevrolet Suburban problem areas

  • Transmission & Drivetrain (38)
  • Electrical System (20)
  • Engine (20)
  • Steering (17)
  • Other / Unknown (8)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (7)
  • Suspension (5)
  • Airbags (4)
  • Body & Structure (4)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (4)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (3)
  • Lighting (3)
  • Visibility & Wipers (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (2)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (1)

Back to all 2016 Chevrolet Suburban problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology