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.
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems
47 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 47
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Transmission failure 12Jerking 11Hesitation 7Shudder 7Slipping 7
Related recalls
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- Risk
- Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on May 7, 2026.
Recall number 26V289000 · Recall details
What 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 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.
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.
Gear slip and shutter when accelerating loss power from taking off
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.
Shuttering started with transmission which ultimately lead to the transmission failing at 140,900 miles. Costly repair for a vehicle that was serviced regularly.
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).
Transmission fell to metal shavings being found in the pan and oil filter when checked
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the vehicle started to shudder. The contact stated that the odometer was moving erratically. The contact stated that the engine overheated quickly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was stranded on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter was faulty and there were metal shavings inside the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at 35-45 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering and overheated. The vehicle was towed back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the transmission of the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 26V289000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad transmission?
The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most transmission complaints are 2021 (90 complaints), 1997 (58 complaints) and 2015 (55 complaints).
Other 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Brakes 92Electrical 31Steering 20Engine 19Suspension 19Driver assistance 15Fuel system 14Body 11Airbags 10Lights 6Seat belts 4Visibility 4Acceleration 3Wheels 3Tires 2Seats 1
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