2016 Chevrolet Suburban

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Chevrolet Suburban
Pictured: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ, front 4.18.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV RWD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
224.4 in
Curb weight
5,536–5,776 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is a standard SUV offered with a 5.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 224 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 130-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,776 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 1% worse than the 2016 standard SUV average of 19.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Suburban — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Suburban →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–5.3L 8-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

LTLTZLS

Built in: Arlington, Texas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Suburban configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD224.4 in80.3 in74.4 in129.9 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,776 lb51/49
4dr SUV RWD224.4 in80.3 in74.4 in129.9 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,536 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Suburban C1500 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-1%$3,550480
Suburban C1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-6%$3,700489
Suburban K1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-4%$3,700498
Suburban K1500 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-4%$3,700498
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.1 MPG2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban.

Similar 2016 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Chevrolet Suburban (this car)19 MPGNot rated6
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (6)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Service Brakes · Oct 24, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V761000 · 652,967 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Sep 6, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V645000 · 3,456,719 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jul 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · 40,683 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior · Jan 12, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V033000 · 214 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Suburban HD vehicles. These vehicles were assembled with a convex right-hand outside mirror, instead of with a non-convex (flat) right-hand outside mirror. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk
If equipped with the incorrect right-side rear-view mirror, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the convex mirror with a non-convex mirror and provide a new page for the owner's manual with the customer notification letter, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17017.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Sep 8, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm · Apr 28, 2016 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 16V256000 · 3,738 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
Risk
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

220Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
8Injuries reported
59,963 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes78
Power Train43
Engine27
Unknown Or Other26
Electrical System25
Steering22
Suspension10
Structure › Body9
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/12: 124/01: 224/03: 224/07: 124/08: 124/09: 124/10: 424/12: 125/01: 325/02: 425/03: 125/04: 225/05: 225/06: 225/08: 325/10: 225/11: 126/01: 326/02: 326/03: 126/04: 226/06: 226/08: 326/09: 123/1224/0724/1025/0225/0525/1026/0226/06max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Chevrolet Suburban buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Service Brakes — 78 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Power Train — 43 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Engine — 27 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 59,963 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Suburban years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Suburban23–Not rated00
2026 Suburban23225.6 inNot rated318
2025 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★131
2024 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★245
2023 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★4148
2022 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★4124
2021 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★12203
2020 Suburban18224.4 inNot rated444
2019 Suburban18224.4 inNot rated378
2018 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated484
2017 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated5142
2015 Suburban18224.4 inNot rated11428

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →