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4WD platform

2016 Chevrolet Suburban

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Suburban.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2016 Chevrolet Suburban is a 4WD SUV with a six-speed automatic transmission, requiring 8.5 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil and carrying EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. In owner-reported reliability data spanning 1990 through 2024, the 2016 model accumulated 216 total complaints and six recalls, with service brakes standing out as the top complaint area. That complaint count sits well below the model line's 1994 peak of 1,004 complaints and above the 2024 low of 36, positioning the 2016 Suburban roughly in the middle of the nameplate's long-term reliability history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/70R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rimSTANDARD 7.5; OPTIONAL 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742
Engine air filter22845992
Spark plug12622441
Battery88865934 alt 88866124
Front wiper blades84613732
Serpentine belt12643517 alt 12658178
Thermostat12620318 alt 12674639
Cabin air filter23281440

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length224.4 in
Overall width80.3 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase129.9 in
Curb weight5776 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Suburban of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2015 LTZ
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015LTZ 5.3L V87.10 sec15.50 sec355 hp4x4
2015LTZ 5.3L V87.30 sec15.70 sec355 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON(R)-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85
Engine CoolantDex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity17.4 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission18.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts44.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 188.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAc Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAc Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46-84

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 77; Rear: 40 /; Front: 74; Rear: 38
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 169; Rear: 150 /; Front: 170; Rear: 148
ABS Sensor Torque7.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.080 in
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationJD9: .0007; J95: .001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

159.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Short bolts 40 degrees40 degrees
4Long bolts60 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The JSON does not include a federal complaint/recall entry for the 2016 model year, so its exact complaint and recall totals cannot be directly compared to the yearly series. However, the surrounding years show a low point in 2006 (56 complaints, 3 recalls), a moderate rise in 2007‑2009 (481, 314, and 161 complaints respectively), and a renewed increase in 2021‑2024 (179, 105, 109, and 36 complaints). For 2016 we do have detailed complaint‑area data: Service Brakes (62), Power Train (36), Unknown or Other (17), and Steering (8), plus 9 crash‑related and 1 fire‑related complaints. Without the federal record to situate 2016 within the generation’s trend, the available data suggest notable brake and power‑train concerns but do not allow a definitive placement in the complaint arc. Consequently, treating the 2016 Suburban as having uncertain reliability based solely on this source is advisable, and a comprehensive pre‑purchase inspection should be prioritized.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1777
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
216
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’21’22’23’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 216 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes62
Power Train36
Unknown Or Other17
Steering8
Structure6
Engine5
Steering,Electrical System,Engine4
Suspension4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1777 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5509M2026-05-14Unknown Or OtherThis PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT64832026-02-04Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Suburban. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 batteryVehicles taking 8.5 qt4WD-platform vehiclesEngine oil filter 12731742Engine air filter 22845992Spark plug 12622441Battery 88865934

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 Suburban take?

8.5 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 Suburban have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Suburban get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.