2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH in sand, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off the vehicle, jiggled the steering wheel, and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

NHTSA ID

11750510

Incident

Apr 15, 2026

Mileage

56,000 mi

I was driving on the freeway when I lost power and the engine started to vibrate. Had to have it towed back to the dealer. They stated it was a bad lifter in cylinder six. It will cost 8K+ to repair. I have had the car less than a year and less than 90k in mileage.

NHTSA ID

11660697

Incident

May 9, 2025

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).

NHTSA ID

11657896

Incident

Apr 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving uphill, the vehicle stalled and started rolling backwards. The contact allowed the vehicle to roll back to a stop sign. The contact depressed the brake pedal and shifted to park(P). The contact stated that the vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil pump, fuel injectors, and the spark plugs had failed. The contact's husband stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the instrument gauges decreased to zero(0) and then increased. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to dealer, where it was diagnosed that the camshaft and the engine lifters had failed. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11657535

Incident

Apr 29, 2025

Mileage

85,000 mi

My engine is blown at only 80,000 miles. Dealer said bad lifter. I was on the freeway and with no warning I lost power and black smoke. No warning. And now $16,000 to repair. Only 80,000 miles. At 100,000 you change spark plugs. I cannot afford to fix it. I spent 6 years saving up for just the down and now it’s gone. And I could have been very hurt on the freeway and hurt other people. I hope someone can help me.

NHTSA ID

11655116

Incident

Mar 23, 2025

Lifters were stuck and ruined the cam shaft. All lifters and cam shaft replaced

NHTSA ID

11639931

Incident

Dec 23, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11639392

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

Mileage

112,000 mi

On 4 plus occasions, the steering wheel would lock up, I would get warnings that the stabilitrak, the park assist was disabled. The engine shut off. This happens during driving.

NHTSA ID

11616472

Incident

Sep 25, 2024

After lifters on engine failed on original engine at approximately 47K miles, engine was rebuilt. Received Tahoe back with 47,791 miles on odometer. Brand new Chevrolet lifters failed prior to odometer reaching 48,903, bending rods and requiring that the engine that was just rebuilt to be replaced or rebuilt again. While driving engine loss oil pressure with red light warning coming on telling to immediately turn off engine. Engine may have ceased while car was in motion, putting driver and passenger(s), if any, in immediate and imminent danger. it was almost 7 months to rebuild engine last time due to GMAC parts being unavailable. Brand new parts failed at roughly 1K miles, there may be a quality control and/or design issue with lifters.

NHTSA ID

11519684

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

Lifters in engine failed, bent rods, 3 of 8 cylinders scratched; engine need to be rebuilt. Engine failed at 47K miles. AC Condenser cracked at 47K miles. Engine failure is safety issue. Known issue at Chevrolet where already extended warranty from original manufacturer's warranty. Engine could have ceased while driving putting driver and passenger(s), if any, in immediate and imminent danger.

NHTSA ID

11519682

Incident

Jun 29, 2022

My 6 yr old chevy Tahoe felt like it was hesitating when driving. I called my local garage and dropped it off. They informed me after inspection that the lifters have failed and now cylinders are in deactivation made. The fix is a new Engine. 10-14k dollars. They informed me this is a known issue in this model. I called chevy customer service. I Took Tahoe to a chevy dealer. They confirmed the diagnosis. I have no recall, no engine light on and am told driving it will cause more serious damage and eventually will not run. Chevy is unresponsive to my pleas for financial assistance and I am left without a driveable car.

NHTSA ID

11494209

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 TAHOE WHEN IT BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE VEHICLE AND IT SHUT OFF. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CRANK THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN IT MADE A VERY LOUD SOUND AND DIED. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP IT WAS FOUND THAT THE VALUE SPRING IN THE #2 CYLINDER WAS BROKEN AND THE PUSH ROD WAS BENT. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE HAD 75,200 MILES ON IT. NOW, I AM EXPERIENCING A CHUGGING FEELING WHEN I STOP THE VEHICLE. PRETTY SURE I HAVE ANOTHER SPRING THAT'S ABOUT TO BREAK. *TR

NHTSA ID

11323512

Incident

Mar 22, 2020

Mileage

75,200 mi

INTERMITTEN OCCURANCE DURING ACCELERATION, BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR A "LAG" "LOW POWER" OCCURS CAUSING A LUNGE. 27,000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11127874

Incident

Aug 10, 2018

Mileage

27,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS A ROUGH IDLE AND TRYING TO DIE WHILE IN GEAR DRIVE OR REVERSE IT IS MORE NOTICEABLE AND WORSE WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED IN GEAR

NHTSA ID

11114371

Incident

Jul 28, 2018

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY CHEVROLET (1233 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 457-3232) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT HIGH TEMPERATURE WEATHER CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000.

NHTSA ID

11098975

Incident

May 30, 2018

Mileage

21,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN THE SUMMER, MY WIFE INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED AND ALMOST DIED--SHORTLY AFTER, THE AC WAS NOT WORKING. I LEFT WORK AND CAME TO HER--FOUND THAT THE COMPRESSOR BELT HAD SHREDDED OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED COMPRESSOR. A MONTH LATER, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AND JERKING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. I TRAILERED THE VEHICLE TO OUR HOME A FEW MILES AWAY. I DID NOTICE THE LONG BOLT HOLDING THE NEW COMPRESSOR WAS LOOSE (1/4" SPACE BETWEEN BOLT HEAD AND WASHER). THE BOLT WAS TIGHTENED, BUT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. WHEN IDLING, THE ENGINE JERKS SO HARD THAT THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES-THE ENGINE NEARLY DIES.. FOR SOME TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS PRODUCED AN UNUSUAL PURRING/CLICKING NOISE WHILE NAVIGATING THRU A PARKING LOT OR SOMETHING AT SLOW SPEEDS--SOUNDS LIKE IN THE TRANSMISSION OR TORQUE CONVERTER? THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP NOW FOR THEIR DIAGNOSIS.

NHTSA ID

11020045

Incident

Aug 27, 2017

Mileage

23,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2016 CHEVROLET TAHOE LAST YEAR FROM WALKER CHEVROLET. THE VEHICLE HAS 16,000 MILES. ISSUES I HAVE WITH THE VEHICLE. CURRENT DEALERSHIP IS JIM ELLIS CHEVROLET. 1. TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SHIFTING. 2. TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN HILL ASSIST IS ACTIVATED. 3. NAVIGATION GOES BLANK. 4. VOLUME BUTTON QUITS WORKING AND VOLUME TURNS ALL THE WAY UP. 5. TAHOE SQUEAKS FROM V8 TO V4. 6. LOUD METAL POPPING NOISE WHEN TAKING SHARP LEFT TURNS. 7. NAVIGATION ASSISTANT WILL NOT MUTE. 8. NAVIGATION WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND DOORS ARE LOCKED. 9. SUSPENSION MAKES AWFUL NOISES WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS AND FLEXING. 10. TAHOE HAS A VERY ROUGH IDLE IN FIRST GEAR. MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE ALMOST WRECKED THE TAHOE AFTER THE VOLUME WOULD NOT TURN DOWN FROM BEING STUCK AT THE HIGHEST VOLUME LEVEL. A TRACTOR TRAILER ALMOST REAR-ENDED US AFTER THE HILL ASSIST ACTIVATED AND THE GEAR WENT INTO TO FIRST. I WENT TO JIM ELLIS AND TOLD THEM SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN DANGER JUST BECAUSE THE ISSUE CANNOT BE REPRODUCED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING WAS FIXED, BUT I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE ISSUE PULLING OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP.THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD THE NAVIGATION WAS FIXED, BUT THE NAVIGATION AND VOLUME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN THE LONGER I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. YET ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN. I CALLED GM CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11002542

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

Mileage

12,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS ROUGH IDLE OR SHAKE WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT IN DRIVE. HOWEVER SOMETIMES YOU CAN FEEL IT WHEN PARKED.

NHTSA ID

10984809

Incident

Apr 28, 2017

Mileage

13,000 mi

MY 2016 TAHOE LTZ HAS A ROUGH, SHAKY IDLE WHILE IN PARK. THE PIP5211E WAS PERFORMED AT DEALER ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO AND CONDITION PERSISTS. IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOTICEABLE TO ALL MY PASSENGERS WHO SIT IN THE VEHICLE WHILE ITS IDLING IN PARK! PLEASE HELP OR ADVISE ON HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE WAY A BRAND NEW $74K VEHICLE SHOULD RUN. IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO STALL AT TIMES. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NO HELP AT FIXING OR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM. THE CONDITION IS CONSTANT WHILE IN PARK IDLING AND SLLIGHY PRESENT WHEN IN DRIVE WITH BRAKE APPLIED.

NHTSA ID

10918711

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

Mileage

2,500 mi