2018 Chevrolet Tahoe problems, complaints & recalls
Far fewerRising
NHTSA has received 103 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, or 11.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.28, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #18 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 74% lower; against other Full-size SUVs it is 65% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2017-10-25 and 2026-08-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 10 days.
103Complaints
11.9Complaints per year on the road
0.28Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
5.8%Share involving a crash or fire
20Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 13.7 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 14 complaints, 84% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (21.4% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (13.6%) and Brakes (13.6%). Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “afm”, “lifters”, “camshaft”, “engine” and “transmission”. 6 reports (5.8%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 1 death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 64 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (52% of incidents). In the last 12 months 20 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 14% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.28
vs. other Chevrolet models0.26
vs. other 2018 models0.24
vs. other Full-size SUVs0.35
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (14)0.16
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.
I had an accident in this vehicle where the airbags deployed upon impact (as they were designed). However, once airbags deployed, my vehicle was filled with smoke (from the airbags) and all of my windows were covered and I couldn't see out.
Interior & equipment · 2023-11-01 · ODI 11552973 · Crash
05/15/23 - AFM Lifter failure - Complete Top End Rebuild under extended warranty purchased when i bought the Tahoe - Preowned certified.
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760315
Vehicle was driven the day before the incident occurred. The morning of the incident, the vehicle was parked, off and not running. A notification sent to my phone indicating a critical battery low 11.1V reading. Vehicle would not start.
Electrical · 2026-08-18 · ODI 11757607
LT275 65 R18 123/120 R DOT 1 BE BP AT 21 My daughter has pictures of the tires, all four tires (all bought at the same time) 05/6/23 from Discount Tire, are splitting along the side wall, originating at the tread line, we have talked with Discount tire, there…
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-07-31 · ODI 11754056
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM Campaign 20V603000 · 2020-10-01
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING Campaign 19V761000 · 2019-10-24
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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 Campaign 19V645000 · 2019-09-06
Summary: 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.
Remedy: 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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
103 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, or about 11.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 21.4% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 20 new complaints were filed, versus 15 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 103 owner complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, or 11.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.28, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #18 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chevrolet models its rate is 74% lower; against other Full-size SUVs it is 65% lower.