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.
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe: shudder or vibration when accelerating
7 of the 256 complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe describe shudder or vibration when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 119 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Shudder or vibration when accelerating by model year
- 20234
- 20222
- 20214
- 20191
- 20182
- 20176
- 20167
- 20153
- 20121
- 20091
- 20081
- 20021
- 20012
- 19993
- 19971
- 19951
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
Feeling of significant shudder and shake, especially at highway speeds. This is caused by a defective torque converter manufactured by Chevrolet. Shuddering can be felt when apply light throttle between 20-80MPH. Chevrolet dealership is asking for $8000 to fix their defective Torque Converter (GM 6l80). From all the vehicles that i have owned in the past, I have never received a bill this high for a part that has been proven to have failed in many vehicles manufactured by GM. I appreciate any action that can be taken to issue a recall and prevent any accidents due to this. Thank you.
Vehicle purchased new from Chevy dealer October 2016. Recurring vibration/shuddering in drive train with noticeable surge in engine rpms, most noticeable at approximately 30-45 mph. Dealer diagnosed as defective transmission, with following service performed: April 2017 -16,835 miles - Dealer rebuilt some internal parts inside transmission; February 2022 - 86,700 miles - Dealer flushed and replaced ATF fluid; October 2023 - 104,218 miles - Dealer advised defective transmission, replaced transmission; January 2024 - 105,537 miles - Dealer advised no repair needed however manufacturer was well aware of recurring shudder/vibration problem with no resolution
Safety problem- transmission is shuddering. Car stopped - pulling out into traffic, car hesitates to move and feels like its in neutral while pressing the gas then finally violently jerks into gear. Car drives as if transmission is slipping. Rpm is fluctuating. Car also has a weird vibration - transmission shudder. This is a life threatening issue
Service bulletins that may apply
- Power train
- This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure for the techs to replace the forward check ball and separator...
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is...
- This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- This service bulletin provides a diagnostic procedure to aid in correcting a customer concern of a...
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
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe shudder
Is shudder or vibration when accelerating a common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
7 of 256 owner complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe (3%) mention shudder or vibration when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe?
There is 1 recall and 119 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Brake failure 17Check engine light 15Transmission failure 12Jerking 11Loss of power 10Stalling 10ABS 9Grinding brakes 7Hesitation 7Slipping 7Engine failure 6Misfire 6Spongy pedal 6Collision warning 5
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