I have been having issues with the brakes on my 2016 Chevy Tahoe for as long as I can remember. When going very slow, such as in a parking lot or pulling into a parking space, my car feels like I am driving on ice when I brake. I am not sure if I am actually going to stop or hit a car/person. The brake pedal also gets very hard. It makes a squeaking sound and also sounds "airy". It is an intermittent problem and does not happen every single time I press on the brakes when going slow. I received a recall notice back in 2019 for increased brake pedal effort and the dealer reprogrammed something. This however, ultimately did not fix the issue and I have never received any follow up information or recall alerts pertaining to this issue. I have mentioned this a few times to both the dealership and an independent mechanic in the last 6+ years, but the car never has the issue when it is in for service. I was told the last 2 times that I took my car in for service that I needed new brake pads and rotors. so both have been replaced twice in the last 4 years. The issue with the brake pedal happened again the other day, only this time, I received a warning message to service brake assist and I smelled what I can only describe as burning brake dust. I also noticed what looks like brake dust on the floor of my garage. I was once again irritated and decided to start googling and that is when I found a special coverage warranty on GM's site for the exact issue I have been having all of these years. The warranty expires December 15, 2026 or at 150211 miles. I called the dealership and GM to see if they would honor the warranty since I only had 150,350 miles on my car, however they both said no. What can I do? I guess they would rather I hit and injure someone than fix an issue they are obviously aware of? Why was I never notified that there was a special coverage warranty on my car? When these incidents occur it is scary and poses a danger to both myself and others.
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems
92 complaints (36% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 52,500. 9 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 92
- of this car's complaints
- 36%
- typical mileage
- 52,500
- crashes
- 9
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Power assist: vacuum1
- Antilock: ABS warning light1
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 19V645000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance. GM stated that the root cause of pump failures was due to foreign debris such as oil sludge in the engine oil. GM stated that this debris can become trapped by the oil inlet filter screen. Under normal operation, this screen allows a small amount of oil into the brake vacuum pump. The foreign debris can, over time, clog the pump which can cause a loss of lubrication and a reduction in the amount of vacuum produced leading to a hard pedal and extended stopping distance.On December 13, 2018, GM issued a Special Coverage (N182202780) for the brake vacuum pump issue in MY 2014-2017 trucks and 2015-2017 SUVs on the K2XX platform for 6 years or 72,000 miles. Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Consumers received notification of the coverage via mail. On September 6, 2019, GM notified the federal safety agency that it was conducting safety recall 19V‑645 which reprograms the electronic brake control module (EBCM) and included approximately 3.5 million trucks and SUVs. In October 2019, GM extended the terms of special coverage N182202780 to 10 years or 150,000 miles as well as now including the entire scope of recall 19V‑645. In October 2020, GM expanded the scope of coverage N182202780 to include the MY 2018 Escalade and 2019 Tahoe.The remedy implemented in GM recall 19V‑645 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Loss of vacuum assist now occurs at a progressive rate as well as there being a more timely warning of a brake problem to the driver through the driver information center (DIC). In view of the recall action and revision to the special coverage, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at under the identification numbers in the attached document.
PE18012
What 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
-malfunction---while driving, when I press the brakes to come to a stop, it seems as if the brakes catch but then releases and then catches again. As it releases, it continues to roll. Vehicle is availabe upon request. -safety risk--- because the brake releases and/or eventually not catch at all, this is unsafe because I can roll into traffic -reproduced and/or confirmed--- I have brought my vehicle to a service center to repair a recall and was told to that the issue should be resolved once the recall was complete. The issue was temporarily resolved for approximately one month or so, and now it is back to breaking and releasing. -one can only assume that the vehicle and/or its components have been inspected given that I brought the vehicle to the service center, stated the issue, and was told that the issue should be resolved after it has been serviced. â -there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to this issue.
Brake vacuum pump
I bought my Tahoe from Dan Vaden Chevrolet in Savannah, GA with approx 58k miles. At around 88k miles I noticed the transmission hesitated when putting into reverse or drive from the park position. I had my transmission fluid changed at 70k and 100k miles. Now, at 112k miles, it has significantly gotten worse with shuddering between gears 1-3 and jerking when in reverse. Major hesitation when accelerating at any speed and high pitched whining noises that randomly happen, even after putting it in park and turning it off. Also, my ABS and Stabilitrak lights will illuminate and then go off every few days. As well as another random icon that randomly comes and goes. This Tahoe is now unsafe to drive but it’s the only transportation I have. I already missed a radiator replacement recall by 1,500 miles and had to pay for that out of pocket. Now Chevrolet isn’t recalling this transmission when it has over 190 complaints on this website alone, and thousands of others on other online forums. What will it take for the manufacturer to do the right thing? Will someone have to die in order for this to become an issue they stop ignoring? We have all spent money we worked hard to earn and deserve a vehicle that’s safe for our families.
Driving down the freeway at 75 mph and the headlight started flickering any time I would use my blinker. 5 minutes later the car automatically breaks hard all by itself along with the dash lights going off and the doors locking and unlocking. 3 days later driving in town taking a hard left suddenly I get alerts on the dashboard saying, "parking assist off" and "stabilitrak" then suddenly my steering wheel JERKS VIOLENTLY all the way to the right. This happened 2x when I am driving!!! It is available for inspection upon request. If this steering wheel malfunction happens to someone driving down an interstate someone could die. It just happened yesterday so I have not gotten it in to be looked at yet. There was zero warning it all happens suddenly and out of nowhere.
The brake vacuum pump is bad. It was hooked up to solious and that's the codes it's throwing. Out of no where while driving on the highway my brake pedal became very stiff and difficult to push down. I could barely stop in time off the exit. Now when the truck is in Drive it doesn't even move. When you do go u have to put all your might into pressing the brake down to stop. Even then the pedal won't go down. Very dangerous especially since I had my [XXX] daughter with me. Very scary situation. I looked up recall for VIN but I have 0. Which is weird because there's a recall on 2016 chevy tahoes for this exact symptoms and part. Now I did go to [XXX] and found a recall under my Vin and also a warranty for this part under my Vin. Why doesn't it list a recall for me INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 92 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, 36% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 52,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 19V645000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (272 complaints), 1999 (249 complaints) and 2015 (196 complaints).
Other 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Transmission 47Electrical 31Steering 20Engine 19Suspension 19Driver assistance 15Fuel system 14Body 11Airbags 10Lights 6Seat belts 4Visibility 4Acceleration 3Wheels 3Tires 2Seats 1
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