Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Problems
Owners have filed 805 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Chevrolet Tahoe across 30 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (169).
- 805engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 8mention a crash
- 9mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,950typical repair cost reported by owners
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Chevrolet Tahoe at $5,950, and half of them between $2,650 and $9,600.
Based on 28 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 285 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 805 complaints, 8 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 9 an injury.
Chevrolet Tahoe engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tahoe | 18 | 67% | 3,783 |
| 2025 Tahoe | 29 | 59% | — |
| 2024 Tahoe | 24 | 35% | 17,744 |
| 2023 Tahoe | 125 | 55% | 31,000 |
| 2022 Tahoe | 73 | 38% | 66,523 |
| 2021 Tahoe | 169 | 37% | 41,500 |
| 2020 Tahoe | 14 | 25% | 350 |
| 2019 Tahoe | 31 | 29% | 22,450 |
| 2018 Tahoe | 20 | 19% | 41,500 |
| 2017 Tahoe | 26 | 15% | 58,719 |
| 2016 Tahoe | 19 | 7% | 27,000 |
| 2015 Tahoe | 46 | 7% | 72,500 |
| 2014 Tahoe | 2 | 2% | 300 |
| 2013 Tahoe | 13 | 6% | 99,500 |
| 2012 Tahoe | 9 | 5% | 81,000 |
| 2011 Tahoe | 11 | 2% | 74,242 |
| 2010 Tahoe | 11 | 4% | 93,000 |
| 2009 Tahoe | 14 | 5% | 80,500 |
| 2008 Tahoe | 27 | 5% | 89,600 |
| 2007 Tahoe | 58 | 5% | 128,500 |
| 2006 Tahoe | 2 | 2% | 125,000 |
| 2005 Tahoe | 13 | 4% | 120,995 |
| 2004 Tahoe | 26 | 6% | 115,000 |
| 2003 Tahoe | 9 | 2% | 172,247 |
| 2002 Tahoe | 7 | 2% | 158,000 |
| 2001 Tahoe | 3 | 1% | 150,000 |
| 2000 Tahoe | 3 | 1% | 80,000 |
| 1999 Tahoe | 1 | 0% | 116,000 |
| 1998 Tahoe | 1 | 0% | 240,000 |
| 1997 Tahoe | 1 | 0% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle is a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier with under 50,000 miles. The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of reverse gear, accompanied by violent lurching, sputtering, and dangerous hesitation/stuttering while accelerating between gears at speed. A certified dealership inspection…
The AFM/DOD system failed and resulted in lifters and rocker arm failure.
There was no accident, but while I was on a busy highway, my vehicle started failing me. I wasnât able to go past 50mph. After taking it to the dealership they said itâs a torque converter and transmission failure.
On 4/23/25, the check engine light came on and the vehicle reduced power. It was taken to dealership and a warranty service was performed, L87 Engine loss of propulsion. The vehicle was in service for 90 days. On 7/15/26, vehicle shifted itself into neutral while driving on the highway, with 4 kids…
Thursday XXX - Left [XXX] on our way to [XXX] for a beach vacation on our 2022 Chevy Tahoe z71. Made it to [XXX] and spent the night there Friday XXX - Left our hotel in [XXX] and headed to [XXX]. Expected arrival time 8 pm About 40 miles east of [XXX] our Tahoe shuts down and I pull to the side of…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Tahoes have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 805 owner complaints about engine for the Chevrolet Tahoe. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Tahoe engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Chevrolet Tahoe?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,950 (half paid between $2,650 and $9,600), from 28 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Chevrolet Tahoe problems
- Air Bags problems (1,552)
- Electrical System problems (1,496)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (918)
- Structure problems (897)
- Power Train problems (848)
- Service Brakes problems (824)
- Steering problems (561)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (338)
See all Chevrolet Tahoe problems.