2016 Chevrolet Suburban transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 19, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission failed suddenly and without warning. When I Went to pull out from a stop sign with cross traffic doing 55 mph, the vehicle shuddered and stopped pulling. We barely had enough momentum to get out of the way of oncoming traffic at the last second. The oncoming traffic had to brake and honked. After reading online, this is a common issue with the 6l80 transmission torque converters being a failure point and the fluid temperature being too high. Gm has a service…

   NHTSA complaint #11758109 · source
2. Filed Feb 23, 2026NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   Just purchased this vehicle used from a business in Moyock, NC. The mileage at purchase was 92,860. We checked Carfax and it showed two previous owners and had a steady maintenance history. On the way home (2 hour drive) and after the vehicle had warmed up it started showing signs of transmission problems. This was not noticeable on the test drive. The RPMs skyrocketed, the car went into neutral, once we got it back into gear it would hardly accelerate. It was a long long…

   NHTSA complaint #11719948 · source
3. Filed Oct 20, 2025ORDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission and Engine Failed. Please inspect. I've had several shops and mechanics inspect. I was towing both times and could have been seriously injured when my transmission went out. Then after that was resolved my engine went out. No symptoms or warnings before incidents occurred.

   NHTSA complaint #11694557 · source
4. Filed Aug 1, 2025ALTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission stopped working it's wouldn't go we had kids in the car the car is in the shop and needs a transmission the engine light also came on

   NHTSA complaint #11677754 · source
5. Filed Jun 26, 2025NCTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission prematurely had to be replaced. The vehicle exhibited hesitation and thumping when changing from one gear to the next causing acceleration issues. The transmission exhibited the issue before 100,000 miles. The dealership changed the transmission at a cost to me over $6,000

   NHTSA complaint #11669487 · source
6. Filed Jun 13, 2025ALTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission shift solenoid stopped working going down the road which caused the vehicle to stall. Going from 65mph to dying without any warning signs no check engine no issues driving before. Check engin came on after the fact took it to a parts store to run the code came back with shift solenoid. More then likely need a new transmission for $6k.

   NHTSA complaint #11666842 · source
7. Filed Mar 17, 202561,619 miAZTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission shifted hard and made an abnormal humming sound. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11648751 · source
8. Filed Feb 27, 202580,000 miIDTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood street at 25 MPH her transmission slipped into neutral. No warning lights were illuminated, and the contact proceeded to bring her vehicle to a complete stop, put the transmission into park, attempted to get into drive again however the vehicle remained in neutral and the RPM's shot up significantly. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed…

   NHTSA complaint #11645426 · source
9. Filed Oct 19, 2024MITransmission & Drivetrain

   I had just slowed down to pull into work, stepped on the gas and the suburban started chugging. After pulling into a parking space I could no longer more forward in Drive. After shifting through all the gears, I no longer had reverse, and to move my vehicle off to the side for the tow company, I had to put it in Nuetral to go forward. I had no warning lights on the dash, no errors when a mechanic scanned it. It obviously needs a new 6L80 transmission, which I see a similar…

   NHTSA complaint #11620827 · source
10. Filed Mar 18, 2024MNTransmission & Drivetrain

    We purchased this vehicle from a local dealership (2/5/2024) and 25 days after purchasing it (3/1/2024) we had to have it towed as the torque converter and transmission went out and we could no longer drive it. This was quite costly at $6600.00.

    NHTSA complaint #11578058 · source
11. Filed Dec 15, 2023ALTransmission & Drivetrain

    From 2015-2024 suburbans have transmission and engine failures or issues. I’ve been told due to plastic parts in the transmission that is the big problem. My transmission has started messing up and I have not been the only one who has had issues. Chevrolet should be made to recall Suburbans and Tahoes 2015-2024 to place new engines and transmission when issues start for free. It is awful that it has not been made aware to the nhtsa to push this to happen sooner. Especially…

    NHTSA complaint #11560352 · source
12. Filed Jun 2, 2023GATransmission & Drivetrain

    Transmission winding and jerking. Constant issue on these trucks with no known resolution as to why the issues start so early.

    NHTSA complaint #11524994 · source

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