NHTSA (USA)CriticalDo Not Drive
This page covers 17 recalls, 406 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe.
16–22 mpg combined
10.7–14.7 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 5 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2021 Tahoe cluster heavily around the engine and powertrain. Engine issues are the most frequently reported concern, with owners describing sudden stalls, misfires, and complete engine shutdowns, often while driving at highway or moderate speeds. Several owners report check engine lights paired with misfire codes, and a number describe the vehicle losing power without warning and being unable to restart. The fuel and propulsion system draws the next-highest volume of complaints, with owners reporting bucking, sputtering, and stalling, sometimes accompanied by low fuel warnings despite adequate fuel levels. Powertrain complaints follow a similar pattern of hesitation and unexpected power loss. A recurring thread across all three categories is the vehicle throwing multiple warning lights simultaneously, check engine, traction control, ABS, and brake system warnings appearing together, sometimes alongside reports of reduced brake response.
406
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe has 17 recalls, the most serious involving wheel lockup, sudden engine stall, fuel leaks, and driveshaft failure, any of which can cause a loss of vehicle control.
On the drivetrain side, a transfer case defect can lock the wheels, a transmission control valve fault on diesel models can lock the rear wheels specifically, and the rear driveshaft can fail and cut drive power. Vehicles with the 6.2L V8 engine face internal component failure that can seize the engine. A faulty fuel pump control module can stall the engine without warning. Two fuel system recalls also cover fire risk: the fuel tank shell may leak due to missing adhesive, and on diesel models, an incorrect replacement tank can leak in a rollover.
Several recalls involve occupant restraint. Seatbelt mounting bolts or brackets may be missing or incorrect at multiple seating positions, third-row belt buckle rivets may be deformed, and third-row outboard belts may be trapped behind the seat-folding mechanism and cut through. The second-row center belt latch may be buried under trim and unreachable. Front seat attachment bolts may also be loose or absent, allowing the seat to shift in a crash. A software fault can cause the electric power steering to lose assist while driving, and brake system miscalibration can reduce the effectiveness of anti-lock brakes and stability control. The airbag warning light may fail to illuminate when the airbag system has a fault, and daytime running lights may stay on when the headlights
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
A missing drivetrain component in the transfer case can cause the front and/or rear wheels to suddenly lock up without warning.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transfer case and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank may be incorrect, which can cause fuel to leak during a rollover crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace it with the correct one if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connecting rod and crankshaft in the 6.2L V8 engine may have manufacturing defects that cause engine damage and failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your engine and repair or replace it if needed. Passing engines receive higher viscosity oil, new oil filter, and manual updates.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control valve may fail, causing the rear wheels to lock up unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install updated transmission control module software and repair or replace defective control valves as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The daytime running lights stay on when the headlights are turned on, instead of turning off as they should.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a free software update to the Body Control Module over the internet.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rivet holding the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right third-row seat belt buckle assembly may not have been formed properly, potentially affecting the buckle's retention.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may contain internal components that were not properly heat-treated, which could cause the driveshaft to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump power control module may fail or work inconsistently, interrupting fuel delivery to the engine and causing unexpected stalling.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake system control module may have been incorrectly calibrated at the dealership, which can affect electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and trailer braking performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue in the power steering module may cause loss of power steering assist when the vehicle starts or while driving.
What the fix does
The power steering module software will be updated at a dealer or through an over-the-air update, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The communications gateway module doesn't properly handle lost connection with the sensing diagnostic module, causing the air bag warning light to turn on and off unpredictably.
What the fix does
A dealer will update the communications gateway module software for free, or the update will be sent to your vehicle wirelessly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The second-row center seat belt latch can become trapped under the trim bezel, making it unreachable and unusable.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the trim bezel, reposition the seat belt latch correctly, and reinstall the bezel.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Third-row outboard seat belts may be trapped or misrouted behind the seat-folding mechanism, causing damage to the belts.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect third-row outboard seat belts, replace any damaged ones, and reroute them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank may be missing adhesive between its inner and outer layers, which can cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel tank at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Seat belt fastening bolts may be incorrect, causing seat belts to not attach properly to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the suspect bolts with correct ones at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt brackets in the front-row center seating position may not be properly secured to the seat frame, reducing their ability to restrain occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat belt bracket attachments on both sides and reassemble them correctly if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During factory repairs, front seat attachment bolts may not have been properly reinstalled, which could allow seats to move or detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front seat attachments and install bolts as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
