Chevrolet Tahoe years to avoid (and the best years)
3,601 NHTSA owner complaints and 52 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 3,601complaints
- 52recalls
- 107reported crashes
- 14reported fires
- 103reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Chevrolet Tahoe years to avoid are 2015, 2021 and 2011. The typical Chevrolet Tahoe year has 178 complaints on file.
- 2015: 658 complaints, 3.7 times the typical year. Most complaints name the brakes (30% of complaints) and the electrical system (21% of complaints).
- 2021: 449 complaints, 2.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (41% of complaints) and the fuel system (26% of complaints).
- 2011: 446 complaints, 2.5 times the typical year. Most complaints name the airbags (41% of complaints) and the body and structure (18% of complaints).
What are the best Chevrolet Tahoe years?
The Chevrolet Tahoe years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (55), 2019 (105) and 2017 (173). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 | 0.1× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2025 | 48 | 0.3× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2024 | 66 | 0.4× | 3 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2023 | 218 | 1.2× | 5 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2022 | 186 | 1.0× | 4 | 3 | 5 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 449 | 2.5× | 16 | 9 | 9 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2020 | 55 | 0.3× | 3 | 4 | 8 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 105 | 0.6× | 2 | 8 | 6 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 103 | 0.6× | 3 | 6 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 173 | 1.0× | 4 | 3 | 5 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2016 | 256 | 1.4× | 8 | 17 | 13 | Few red flags | Brakes |
| 2015 | 658 | 3.7× | 14 | 29 | 18 | Approach with caution | Brakes |
| 2014 | 90 | 0.5× | 3 | 3 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2013 | 232 | 1.3× | 4 | 4 | 6 | Few red flags | Body and structure |
| 2012 | 178 | 1.0× | 3 | 8 | 10 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 446 | 2.5× | 5 | 5 | 3 | Approach with caution | Airbags |
| 2010 | 314 | 1.8× | 4 | 3 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 1,827 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain711 (39%)
- Airbags & seat belts380 (21%)
- Other systems266 (15%)
- Electrical & infotainment171 (9%)
- Structure & body167 (9%)
Recalls (52)
Safety · 26V304000 · May 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 26V289000 · May 2026 · model years 2016, 2017, 2019, 2026
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V114000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2026
Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Transmission · 26V085000 · Feb 2026 · model year 2022
Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 25V619000 · Sep 2025 · model years 2021, 2023, 2024
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Engine · 25V274000 · Apr 2025 · model years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 24V797000 · Oct 2024 · model year 2021
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 24V674000 · Sep 2024 · model years 2023, 2024
Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 23V642000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V903000 · Dec 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 22V827000 · Nov 2022 · model year 2021
Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 22V617000 · Aug 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Transmission · 22V036000 · Jan 2022 · model year 2021
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V739000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2021
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 21V579000 · Jul 2021 · model year 2021
Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 21V455000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2021
Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V421000 · Jun 2021 · model year 2021
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 21V245000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2015, 2016
A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 21V210000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
A passenger in the second-row center will be unable to wear a seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V190000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Tires · 21V115000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2020
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 21V064000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2021
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 21V050000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V054000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V053000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V051000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 20V811000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Seat belts · 20V792000 · Dec 2020 · model year 2021
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 20V735000 · Nov 2020 · model year 2021
If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Brakes · 20V603000 · Oct 2020 · model year 2018
A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 19V837000 · Nov 2019 · model year 2020
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Brakes · 19V761000 · Oct 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
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.
Brakes · 19V645000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
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.
Steering · 18V586000 · Sep 2018 · model year 2015
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 18V291000 · May 2018 · model years 2015, 2016
If the pretensioner cable becomes fatigued or breaks, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V437000 · Jul 2017 · model years 2015, 2016
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Airbags · 16V651000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2015, 2016, 2017
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Suspension · 16V256000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V640000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2015
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Electrical system · 14V827000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2011, 2012
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Steering · 14V719000 · Nov 2014 · model year 2015
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V614000 · Oct 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 14V451000 · Jul 2014 · model year 2015
During deployment, the RRAB may be punctured or torn by the roof carrier hardware, reducing its performance and increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 14V374000 · Jun 2014 · model year 2015
If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 14V301000 · Jun 2014 · model year 2015
Without an audible indicator, the driver may not be aware that the driver's door is open while the key is in the ignition, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway. Additionally, there would be no reminder that the driver's or front seat passenger's seat belt is not buckled, which could increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Steering · 14V246000 · May 2014 · model year 2015
An improperly tightened tie rod attachment may allow the tie rod to separate from the steering rack, resulting in a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Transmission · 14V152000 · Mar 2014 · model year 2015
If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
Brakes · 13V342000 · Aug 2013 · model year 2014
Loose caliper bolts may cause reduced braking performance and result in lengthened stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 13V001000 · Jan 2013 · model year 2013
As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
Steering · 11V339000 · Jun 2011 · model year 2011
THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Suspension · 11V007000 · Jan 2011 · model year 2011
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Safety · 10E043000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.