AI DamageChevrolet Tahoe: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Chevrolet Tahoe across 12 model years: 1,710 owner complaints and 3,142 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 31% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Forward collision avoidance 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 535 complaints (31% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 839.
- Powertrain: 362 complaints (21% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 994.
- Electrical system: 251 complaints (15% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2,215.
- Service brakes: 245 complaints (14% of all), 16 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 302.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 194 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 116.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.8 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2000–2009
- 5.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2000–2027named in 15 complaints
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl 1995–2000
- 6.2 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2008–2027named in 71 complaints
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cyl 2021–2027named in 18 complaints
- 6 L · hybrid · 8 cyl 2008–2013
- 6.5 L · diesel · turbo · 8 cyl 1995–1999
- automatic, 4-speed 1995–2009
- automatic, 6-speed 2008–2020
- automatic, 10-speed 2018–2027
- CVT 2008–2013
- manual, 5-speed 1995
Drive: RWD, 4WD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,710 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 535 | 2 | 839 |
| Powertrain | 362 | 3 | 994 |
| Electrical system | 251 | 4 | 2,215 |
| Service brakes | 245 | 16 | 302 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 194 | 0 | 116 |
| Steering | 79 | 5 | 209 |
| Air bags | 77 | 23 | 114 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 74 | 5 | 108 |
| Engine and cooling | 60 | 0 | 1,313 |
| Suspension | 38 | 1 | 321 |
| Visibility | 38 | 0 | 204 |
| Structure | 37 | 3 | 504 |
| Vehicle speed control | 35 | 2 | 26 |
| Exterior lighting | 34 | 2 | 120 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The car in front of me was moving forward and never hit their brakes but my car still slammed on the brakes for no reason. I was probably 6 or 7 feet away from the car in front. This isn't the first time this car has slammed on the brakes for no reason.
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.
There were no warning lights present at the time. However, improper steering alignment raised safety concerns regarding vehicle tracking and stability. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by authorized service providers.
The contact's brother owned a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle crashed; however, the contact was unsure what the vehicle had crashed into.
While parked my check engine light came on with a series of warnings: service ECS, service traction control, forward collision system unavailable, reduced acceleration drive with care. Two days later it went away.
The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who had yet to determine why the air bags did not deploy, however, the contact was informed that the vehicle may be deemed a total loss by her insurance provider.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers steps to follow to obtain an IOK radio
- This PI communicates the possibility of a B1599 and/or B0126 setting and directs to contact TCSC
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the SES MIL and DTC P062B and engineering is…
- This preliminary information is to help technicians decide if the DTC needs to be diagnosed if relating to…
- This preliminary PI was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be able to perform a…
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
- This preliminary information communicates an issue with of a service theft message after using the rear…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information communicates an issue with of a service theft message after using the rear…
- This preliminary information communicates an issue with a service column lock message and DTC U3000
- General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.