Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle, the vehicle made a choking sound as if the vehicle was about to shut-off. The brake pedal was stiff requiring extra effort than normal for the vehicle to come to a stop. While turning left or right at low speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn and made an abnormal hissing sound. The contact stated that there was oil leaking from the front-end of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the vacuum pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that due to the mileage on the vehicle, the vehicle no longer qualified for the special recall related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the electrical power fluctuated, and the steering wheel jerked abnormally and became difficult to turn. The instrument panel lights turned off with an audible bell chime. The contact stated that during the failure, the engine remained operable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the battery, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure later reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and no service was performed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ. The contact stated that while driving on a neighborhood street at 25 MPH, the steering wheel became increasingly stiff. She was able to continue driving until reaching her residence, where she parked the vehicle and attempted to restart it. Upon restarting, a message appeared on the instrument panel that read, "Service Power Steering." The local dealer was not contacted, so the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
As I was driving 75 mph down the highway my collision alert flashed all my lights turned off, including my headlights and all interior lights as it was dark time and they flashed back on a couple of times until they finally stayed on. I pulled over and as I came to zero, speed, the vehicle completely shut down. It did start back up, but this is not the first time I get a light on my dash that says stability track and then everything resets and I don't have any lights on at all after that this has been happening off and on I also have three coworkers that have the same make, and year that experienced the same problems ! My situation on the highway was very dangerous. It was pitched dark outside and I lost vision due to my lights going off at 75 mph and my steering wheel also locking up. The next time the vehicle does it I will take a video for proof. …
Reduced or loss of power steering assist. Steering wheel jerks or kicks back when turning. Service Stabilitrak message with warning chime. Engine stall. IPC going blank or inoperative. Radio/ICS going blank. HVAC going blank. Hood ajar message and/or dome lamps flash when shifting into reverse. Alarm sounds when locking doors or door locks cycling. Wipers continue to run for a short time after turning off and then stop/park in the incorrect location Engine stall and loss of steering almost caused a collision putting mine and others lives at risk. This has happened seven times since I bought the car in July 2021. No warning its going to happen other than dash lights flicker , warning lights on, steering fails, car dies, won't restart. GM has a Technical Service Bulletin #18-NA-161 . I hope you can do something about this serious problem before someone is serious hurt or dies. Thank you
Front passenger Spindle / Thimble that connects the lower ball joint sheared off. Suburban drops to ground, bolt end of lower ball joint hits and breaks through back of wheel that results in a deflated tier. Repair items listed by Chevy Service Center. Replace right lower ball joint Alignment Replace right front steering knuckle Replace right front wheel, monitor and stem, reprogram Replace broken front spoiler Replace RF fender liner With the low speed of travel , about 8mph there were no safety issues. Vehicle and broken steering knuckle has been inspected by Service Agent and Manager at Fred Bean Chevy, Doylestown, PM. Their position is normal wear, "We must have had impact at some time to cause initial fracture". Extended Warranty agrees with view stated from Fred Bean. Our insurance company is sending an agent to inspect. No warning lamps, messages, etc presented in driver display.
Loss of steering, jerks the week right out of your hand and then you are unable to turn the wheel. Engine stalls and you have to try to coast to the side of the road, put in park and try to restart the vehicle. Service Stabilitrak warning appears on display, Alarm Sounds, Radio beeps and display goes blank, navigation compass does not work. There is a current Technical Service Bulletin for these issues: #18-NA-161, document ID 5075841 that lists the years from 2014 to 2020. There were Product Safety Recalls issued: 17276 Loss of Steering Assist, Reference Number:N172085440 for vehicles listed in this TSB for 2014 and 2015 but no Recalls for later vehicles with the same problems.
At low speeds while steering, the steering wheel locks up for 1 or 2 seconds causing the vehicle to drive in an unintended direction. This is sometimes accompanied by the electrical system rebooting, and sometimes, there is no warnings at all. It has happened to us 4 times in the last six months. The dealer has had the car twice and is unable to reproduce or diagnose. In addition, sometimes the car has rebooted while driving 60 mph on highways. When this happens, it has engaged cruise control at least three times. I don't view this as unsafe as the steering description given above.
While turning at low speed steering went out engine shut off dash gauges, radio, hvac went off engine restarted dash information stated service trailer brake system and service stability system Turned wheel again same thing did this 2 more times then had to put vehicle in natural and restart manually This also has happened twice in the past week
While driving the vehicle on a freeway ramp at speed A warning light came on that said service Trailer breaking And the power steering turned off. Causing the vehicle to be very difficult to control at highway speed. Having a secondary auxiliary system turn off Your power steering at speed Is a serious safety hazard and design issue.
Steering complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, 10% of the model year's 220 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › power steering fluid (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Chevrolet Suburban steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Chevrolet Suburban steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.