Chevrolet Tahoe problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 1,210 owner complaints and 27 safety recalls for the Chevrolet Tahoe. That averages 32.5 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.77 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Full-size SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 2 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 34.5.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Chevrolet Tahoe has logged 1,210 owner complaints and 27 safety recalls, averaging 32.5 complaints per year which is fewer than typical for full-size SUVs. While the overall trend is worsening with 2021 and 2023 models running at least 50% above the average, the most common problem area is Engine accounting for 41.7% of complaints, occurring 1.9 times as often as across all tracked vehicles. Owners report recurring terms such as "engine," "towed," "module," "lifters," and "valve body," with 41 complaints describing a crash or fire that resulted in 37 injuries and 1 death. Recent data shows 407 complaints filed in the last 12 months versus 402 previously, while five NHTSA defect investigations remain open including one regarding loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 181% above the 2018 and 2019 models (39 early complaints per model year versus 15).
The 2021 model year has the highest rate (78.1 complaints per year) and the 2020 model year the lowest (8.2). Model years 2021 and 2023 run at least 50% above the model's own average — the ones to research most carefully. Model years 2018, 2019 and 2020 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (41.7% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (13.8%) and Electrical (11.2%). Engine complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “engine”, “towed”, “module”, “lifters” and “valve body”. 41 complaints (3.4%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 37 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 407 complaints versus 402 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2021 model year generated the most recent reports (140). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 38 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 27 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (8), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning, 5 fixable over the air. 5 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy” (opened 2026-08-20, still open).
It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Full-size SUVs, including Ford Expedition.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 103 | 11.9 | 0.28 | 14 | 0.16 | 20 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 105 | 13.7 | 0.33 | 17 | 0.21 | 22 | 2 ⚠ | Transmission / powertrain | View › |
| 2020 Fewest complaints | 55 | 8.2 | 0.19 | 7 | 0.12 | 21 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2021 Years to research carefully | 443 | 78.1 | 1.86 | 70 | 1.14 | 140 | 16 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 184 | 39.4 | 0.94 | 46 | 0.62 | 56 | 4 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 Years to research carefully | 211 | 57.4 | 1.36 | 34 | 0.41 | 82 | 5 | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 63 | 23.6 | 0.56 | 44 | 0.63 | 25 | 3 | Engine | View › |
| 2025 | 46 | 27.5 | 0.65 | — | — | 41 | 1 | Engine | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 407 · Previous 12 months: 402 Steady
Problem areas
Transmission / powertrain ›
167 · 13.8% · 1.19 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- transmission90
- valve body39
- tahoe's16
- units pumps14
Interior & equipment ›
71 · 5.9% · 0.65 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- sunroof16
- onstar module6
- exploded9
- heard water3
Airbags & seat belts ›
51 · 4.2% · 1.1 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- safety restraint14
- restraint system13
- deploy15
- airbag14
Body & structure
34 · 2.8% · 0.31 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- wipers9
- water9
- headliner5
- sunroof8
Steering
28 · 2.3% · 0.36 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering26
- wheel14
- assist8
- difficult turn4
Lighting
19 · 1.6% · 1.0 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlight adjuster6
- headlights10
- night10
- adjuster screw3
Other
18 · 1.5% · 0.82 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- row6
- seat9
- headrest4
- head rest3
Wheels, tires & suspension
16 · 1.3% · 0.53 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tire13
- size4
- dot3
- tread3
Driver-assist systems
8 · 0.7% · 0.12 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- braking5
- end3
- cruise3
- camera3
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- engine527
- towed248
- module119
- lifters57
- valve body53
- fuel pump93
- onstar48
- neutral88
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 38 months
What owners report
Driving in bumper to bumper traffic in my 2025 Tahoe and the automatic braking system slammed on the brakes at 10 mph causing me to get rear ended.The light turned green and traffic started moving forward and I'm hitting the gas pedal when my truck just slams…
We were in a severe car accident and our airbags did not deploy in our vehicle. We were going about 45 miles an hour and had windshield cracking and severe, severe damage to our vehicle. This was a front side, head on impact.
Car has a parasitic draw and is on its second battery in 3 years. The dealer can’t seem to fix the issue and shows little concern to find the issue. Dangerous to get stranded somewhere or in the cold.
We were driving full speed down the highway and the vehicle completely shut down steering wheel locked and we were stranded for six hours. Turns out the dealer said it was just the battery and they fixed the grounding of the battery.
Upon getting into vehicle , a pooling of fluid was in the all weather mats.. with a visible leak line from top of mat to the pooling area on driver side. It did not dry as water would and it was a slightly oily feeelign and left an oily residue.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Full-size SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevrolet Tahoe | 1,210 | 32.5 | 0.77 | Worsening | Steady | 27 | Engine |
| 2 | Ford Expedition | 1,762 | 36.5 | 0.87 | Worsening | Steady | 45 | Transmission / powertrain |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 27
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 1
- Over-the-air fix: 5
Safety recalls: 2018 (3) · 2019 (2) · 2020 (3) · 2021 (16) · 2022 (4) · 2023 (5) · 2024 (3) · 2025 (1)
Investigations
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy Open
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued …
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy Closed
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued …
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019â2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon…
- Loss of motive power due to engine failure Closed
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GMâs full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engineâs bottom end and i…
- Air Bag Malfunction Closed
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Tahoe model year has the most complaints?
The 2021 model year has the highest rate (78.1 complaints per year) and the 2020 model year the lowest (8.2).
Is the Chevrolet Tahoe getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 181% above the 2018 and 2019 models (39 early complaints per model year versus 15). In the last 12 months owners filed 407 complaints versus 402 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Chevrolet Tahoe problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (41.7% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (13.8%) and Electrical (11.2%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “engine”, “towed”, “module”, “lifters” and “valve body”.
How does the Chevrolet Tahoe compare with other Full-size SUVs?
Within the Full-size SUVs segment it ranks #1 of 2 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 34.5. It has fewer complaints per year than every other tracked model among Full-size SUVs, including Ford Expedition.
Does the Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 27 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (8), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning, 5 fixable over the air. 5 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 2 still open; the latest is “Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy” (opened 2026-08-20, still open).