2001 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 5, 2025 · 512 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Tahoe years
More complaints than other years 5th of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 512 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. That ranks 5th out of 32 Tahoe model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (137 complaints, 27%), typically at around 75,920 miles. Complaints mention 47 crashes, 7 fires, 48 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 6 defect investigations involving it.

Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: RL GNZLZ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic137 · ~75,920 mi
Parking Brake80 · ~45,000 mi
Service Brakes55 · ~121,000 mi
Air Bags31 · ~82,000 mi
Tires31 · ~59,476 mi
Seat Belts29 · ~50,000 mi
Power Train27 · ~51,000 mi
Structure25 · ~72,750 mi
Electrical System20 · ~60,813 mi
Seats20 · ~110,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems13727%75,920“anti lock” (15%)$1,800
Parking Brake problems8016%45,000“emergency brake” (33%)$540
Service Brakes problems5511%121,000“brake lines” (42%)$1,850
Air Bags316%82,000——
Tires316%59,476——
Seat Belts296%50,000——
Power Train275%51,000——
Structure255%72,750——
Electrical System204%60,813——
Seats204%110,000——
Steering184%53,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling163%46,500——
Vehicle Speed Control143%50,841——
Visibility143%71,425——
Service Brakes, Air133%52,000——
Suspension133%61,508——
Fuel System, Gasoline122%97,000——
Equipment61%56,000——
Exterior Lighting61%43,600——
Latches/locks/linkages51%88,350——
Wheels51%69,557——
Engine31%150,000——
Unknown or Other31%———
Fuel/propulsion System20%93,500——
Service Brakes, Electric20%183,315——
Visibility/wiper20%40,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)10%220,000——
Trailer Hitches10%100,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2005, with 79 complaints
2000: 220002001: 372002: 4820022003: 612004: 6920042005: 79792006: 3220062007: 202008: 1920082009: 112010: 2120102011: 232012: 1520122013: 152014: 2320142015: 112016: 720162017: 82018: 320182019: 12020: 120202021: 22022: 120222024: 12025: 22025

n = 512 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipAug 29, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V379000 · 1,353,718 vehicles

Problem: Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (abs) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.

Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

StructureMar 7, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V094000 · 3,674 vehicles

Problem: Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

Seats:front assembly:head restraintSep 17, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V253000 · 558,904 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with rearward folding head restraints on the second row seats, two potential pinch points exist on each of the folding head restraints when the restraints are folded rearward as the seatback is folded down.

Risk: If a person were to insert their finger(s) into the pinch point when the head restraint folds, it could trap and pinch the finger(s) causing injury.

Fix: Dealers will install protective covers over the pinch points. Owner notification began november 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.

Seat belts:front:retractorMay 17, 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V159000 · 9,196 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: pickup and utility trucks. Some of these vehicles have an internal component in the outboard seat belt retractors for the 2nd and 3rd row of seats that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could spread to the point such that the seat belt would no longer lock.

Risk: In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. Gm is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers do the inspections. Owner notification began july 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.

Structure:bodyOct 25, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V343000 · 35,659 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have loose or missing rear wheelhouse plugs. Under certain vehicle operating conditions, exhaust gases can flow forward and accumulate in the rear wheelhouse.

Risk: These gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause possible illness, unconsciousness, or death.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Brake line corrosion failure (EA11001) — opened Jan 5, 2011, closed Apr 8, 2015.
  • Parking brake failure (DP05009) — opened Dec 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006.
  • Unwanted low-speed abs activation (PE05020) — opened Apr 28, 2005, closed Sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V379000.
  • Steel wheel rim fracture (PE03026) — opened Jun 12, 2003, closed Nov 3, 2003.
  • Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr (PE02067) — opened Sep 25, 2002, closed Feb 11, 2003.
  • Throttle sticking closed (EA02015) — opened Aug 1, 2002, closed Jan 12, 2004.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Passenger side rear air conditioning blower motor caught on fire and burned vehicle out completely. Fire trucks called to put out fire but is completely burned out. My safety was at risk flames in back by the time I got stopped on highway. Thankful no one was riding in back seat. First issue I had…

Electrical System · received Jul 5, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11671373

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left very hard, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Apr 15, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11654808

My 2001 Chevy Tahoe has been stolen an I been trying to get it back but I can’t bc I left the title in the Tahoe

Unknown or Other · received Aug 2, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11606046

I bought Achilles desert hawk uhp 285/50/R20 tires in late 2019 from Walmart . and had them mounted in 2020 from discount tire. Within 10 months of tires being mounted I had a vibration and it was getting worse every day so I started looking at it and found I had a separated tire on the driver's…

Tires · received Jun 17, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11469724

Bad transmission there's reverse but no forward gears

Power Train · received Jul 15, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11425045

Other Chevrolet Tahoe years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, parking brake, service brakes problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 137 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Tahoe model years, the 2001 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.