Chevrolet Tahoe 2007–2014
3rd generation · GMT900 (GMT921/GMT922)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20264,266 complaints, 2,731 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 47,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 44 complaints (1.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 25,686
- 25%
- 47,000
- Median
- 73,000
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 136,284
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 102 | 3.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 44 | 1.6% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 36 | 1.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 35 | 1.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 40 | 1.5% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 60 | 2.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 89 | 3.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 97 | 3.6% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 122 | 4.5% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 129 | 4.7% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 125 | 4.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 114 | 4.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 155 | 5.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 112 | 4.1% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 145 | 5.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 156 | 5.7% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 116 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 126 | 4.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 106 | 3.9% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 79 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 105 | 3.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 56 | 2.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 84 | 3.1% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 39 | 1.4% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 69 | 2.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 37 | 1.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 60 | 2.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 44 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 32 | 1.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 23 | 0.8% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 27 | 1.0% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 12 | 0.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 22 | 0.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 13 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 19 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 17 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 21 | 0.8% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 8 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 6 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 44 | 1.6% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,266 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2014 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2,731 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 47,000 and 100,000 miles. The median is 73,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (29.5% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (23.2% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles), body structure (16.1% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
12 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Airbag system80,000median 80,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 112,000
- Problems owners could not categorise75,000median 74,961 miles, middle half 52,000 to 99,000
- Body structure70,000median 70,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 90,000
- Electrical system72,000median 71,606 miles, middle half 36,000 to 110,000
- Engine100,000median 99,500 miles, middle half 68,000 to 134,000
- Latches and locks47,000median 47,000 miles, middle half 34,000 to 60,000
- Electronic stability control (esc)88,000median 88,061 miles, middle half 51,000 to 120,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 1,257 | 29.5% | 80,000 | 55,000–112,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 990 | 23.2% | 75,000 | 52,000–99,000 |
| Body structure | 686 | 16.1% | 70,000 | 48,000–90,000 |
| Electrical system | 344 | 8.1% | 72,000 | 36,000–110,000 |
| Engine | 145 | 3.4% | 100,000 | 68,000–134,000 |
| Latches and locks | 139 | 3.3% | 47,000 | 34,000–60,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 116 | 2.7% | 88,000 | 51,000–120,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 105 | 2.5% | 54,000 | 27,000–109,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 69 | 1.6% | 76,000 | 40,000–95,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 58 | 1.4% | 103,000 | 78,000–140,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 73,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 29.5% of complaints (1,257 reports, 520 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,340 and 112,000 miles.
A single system taking 29.5% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 23.2% of complaints (990 reports, 665 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,961 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,500 and 99,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 16.1% of complaints (686 reports, 529 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 90,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.1% of complaints (344 reports, 250 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,606 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 36,000 and 110,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 3.4% of complaints (145 reports, 110 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 99,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 68,000 and 134,000 miles.
Latches and locks account for 3.3% of complaints (139 reports, 124 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 47,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 34,230 and 60,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 1,532 complaints — while 2014 drew the fewest at 118. The median year sits at 398.
That makes 2007 an outlier: roughly 3.8 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (5), the electrical system (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 4,266 complaints filed against this generation, 85 reported a crash; 45 reported a fire; 168 reported an injury; 1 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 2.0% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 47,000 and 100,000 miles, with a median of 73,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and problems owners could not categorise are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Problems owners could not categorise in particular shows a median failure mileage of 74,961, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine 2007–2014
Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) lifter collapse: the collapsible AFM lifters stick or fail, causing misfire, a persistent tick, and in severe cases camshaft lobe wear requiring cam and lifter replacement.
Engine 2007–2014, settlement scope 2011–2014
Excessive oil consumption on the 5.3L LC9/LMG. The AFM pressure relief valve sprays oil at the piston skirts and the low-tension piston rings cannot control it, so oil is drawn past the rings and fouls spark plugs. A class-action settlement covered 2011-2014 vehicles with the LC9. Earlier 2007-2011 units were partly addressed with a rebaffled valve cover.
Interior
Dashboard cracking, one of the highest-volume non-safety complaints for this generation.
Steering
Power steering pump and hydraulic line leaks causing loss of assist.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1,532 | 965 |
| 2008 | 687 | 405 |
| 2009 | 391 | 260 |
| 2010 | 405 | 263 |
| 2011 | 571 | 370 |
| 2012 | 253 | 184 |
| 2013 | 309 | 217 |
| 2014 | 118 | 67 |
Recalls (12)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V052000 | 2021-09-20 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V054000 | 2021-05-11 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V053000 | 2021-05-11 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V051000 | 2021-05-11 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 21V050000 | 2021-03-01 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 14V827000 | 2015-02-12 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 14V614000 | 2014-12-26 | Electrical System |
| 13V342000 | 2013-08-02 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
| 13V001000 | 2013-01-17 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 11V339000 | 2011-07-25 | Steering:linkages |
| 11V007000 | 2011-01-11 | Suspension:rear:axle:spindle |
| 10V240000 | 2010-06-11 | Electrical System |
What owners reported
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights would not illuminate when the daytime running lights were activated. The only time he was able to see the instrument panel lights was when the sun shined on them directly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but…
2007 · 5 miles · Electrical system
While driving the vehicle the stab trac warning pops up on the message window and we lose power. We have had it to the garage for the same problem multiple times and we have replaced multiple different things and it keeps coming back. As per online records of this vehicle it appears shelby does not know how to fix it…
2007 · 10 miles · Electronic stability control (esc)
The monitor or sensor of the car was not detecting if the vehicle is functioning accurately. It is not detecting the pressure of the tire. So we went back to the dealership particularly to salesperson who sold us the car. He said, it does it sometimes. When we are fillin in its gas tank, it shuts off the gas nozzle…
2007 · 16 miles · Electrical system
Just after purchase, while they were prepping my new 07 Tahoe i noted that it had a dent in the rear drivers-side door in the ridge over the rear wheel opening. A collision center owner informed me that it could not be repaired without installing a new door skin on it. The salesman had stated that it could be…
2007 · 89 miles · Body structure
Built from 2,731 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page