2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission & Engine Problems — What Owners Need to Know
The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size SUV that earns its reputation as a capable, family-hauling workhorse. With a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 under the hood and a 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission sending power to the wheels, it delivers strong towing capacity and highway comfort. For a lot of owners, it's the right truc…
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Used 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission
Fits 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Inspected, lower-cost option from our inventory.
$1,000–$1,800
Shop used transmissionRemanufactured 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission
Fits 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Rebuilt to spec and warranty-backed for peace of mind.
$2,500–$4,200
Shop remanufactured transmissionUsed 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine
Fits 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Inspected, lower-cost option from our inventory.
$800–$1,800
Shop used engineRemanufactured 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine
Fits 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe
Rebuilt to spec and warranty-backed for peace of mind.
$2,800–$5,000
Shop remanufactured enginePrice ranges are typical replacement costs; final pricing and availability are confirmed in our catalog.
The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size SUV that earns its reputation as a capable, family-hauling workhorse. With a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 under the hood and a 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission sending power to the wheels, it delivers strong towing capacity and highway comfort. For a lot of owners, it's the right truck for the right job — until something goes wrong.
And something does go wrong. The 6L80 transmission, in particular, has a documented track record of serious internal failures — the kind that leave metal shavings in the pan and a very expensive repair bill on the table. The 5.3L engine brings its own headaches through the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, which can lead to accelerated oil consumption, collapsed lifters, and timing chain wear as mileage climbs. These aren't fringe failure modes; they show up consistently across owner forums, professional repair shops, and NHTSA complaint databases.
If you're researching a used 2016 Tahoe, already dealing with symptoms, or staring down a repair estimate, this guide is for you. We'll walk through what breaks, why it breaks, what it typically costs to address, and how to find the right replacement parts or assemblies to get back on the road without overpaying.
What the Research Shows
The 2016
Tahoe lands at rank 26 in our internal analysis of vehicles with high-demand replacement powertrains. That ranking is driven almost entirely by the 6L80's failure rate and the severity of the damage it causes when it goes. Independent transmission specialists and YouTube repair channels have both documented severe internal wear — including pan contamination with metal debris — as a common outcome for neglected or high-mileage 6L80 units. On the engine side, the 5.3L EcoTec3's AFM system generates enough TSBs and owner complaints to warrant its own section. This is a truck worth knowing before you buy — or before you decide whether to repair.
Common Transmission Problems
The 6L80 six-speed automatic is a widely used
General Motors transmission, found across trucks and SUVs throughout this era. It's capable in normal operation, but it carries several known weak points that become serious problems over time.
TCC Shudder and
Full FailureThe torque converter clutch (TCC) is one of the first things to go. Shudder under light throttle is often the first symptom, followed by erratic shifting. In documented cases — including a direct teardown by Rainman Ray's Repairs on YouTube — the transmission pan on a 2016 Tahoe was found packed with metal shavings, indicating widespread internal damage. At that stage, rebuild or full replacement is the only viable path.