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Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020 problems by year and mileage

4th generation · GMT K2XX (K2UC/K2UG)

NHTSA data through 24 September 20261,351 complaints, 705 with mileageMethod

A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.

Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.

The 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Median failure report
62,000 mi
Complaints filed
658
Recalls naming this year
14

Most reported on the 2015

  1. Brakes185 reports · median 75,000 mi
  2. Electrical system135 reports · median 60,000 mi
  3. Problems owners could not categorise90 reports · median 52,000 mi

14 recall campaigns name the 2015: Seat belts — front; Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Median failure report
48,000 mi
Complaints filed
256
Recalls naming this year
8

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2016 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2016

  1. Brakes85 reports · median 50,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline47 reports
  3. Problems owners could not categorise45 reports

8 recall campaigns name the 2016: Power train — transfer case (4-wheel drive); Seat belts — front; Service brakes. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Median failure report
50,000 mi
Complaints filed
173
Recalls naming this year
4

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2017 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2017

  1. Transmission and driveline53 reports
  2. Brakes41 reports
  3. Engine26 reports

4 recall campaigns name the 2017: Power train — transfer case (4-wheel drive); Service brakes; Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Median failure report
42,000 mi
Complaints filed
104
Recalls naming this year
3

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2018 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2018

  1. Problems owners could not categorise26 reports
  2. Engine20 reports
  3. Transmission and driveline20 reports

3 recall campaigns name the 2018: Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist; Service brakes. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Median failure report
28,000 mi
Complaints filed
105
Recalls naming this year
2

At least 40% of the complaints about the 2019 were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. The median here rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported on the 2019

  1. Transmission and driveline38 reports
  2. Engine29 reports
  3. Fuel and propulsion system25 reports

2 recall campaigns name the 2019: Power train — transfer case (4-wheel drive); Service brakes. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe

Close
Median failure report
too few reports to time
Complaints filed
55
Recalls naming this year
3

Most reported on the 2020

  1. Transmission and driveline14 reports
  2. Engine12 reports
  3. Electrical system11 reports

3 recall campaigns name the 2020: Tires; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery; Service brakes. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.

When each system fails on this generation →

Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. † marks a year whose median likely understates the mileage: much of its reporting came after 2020, when most complaints stopped recording an odometer reading. The 2015 reports latest and the 2019 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2015 has had 4 more years on the road to accumulate mileage. 1 of these years carries fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and shows no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.

The short answer

“Is the 2015–2020 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?”

Median of reported failures
56,000 mi
90% of reports came by
111,000 mi
Reports with mileage
705
Recalls
19

At least 40% of this generation’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading, so the median likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

Most reported

  1. Brakes25.2% of complaints · median 62,000 mi
  2. Transmission and driveline16.8% of complaints · median 80,000 mi
  3. Electrical system16.7% of complaints · median 55,000 mi

When each system fails ↓

Documented problems

What each one is ↓

Owners filed 1,351 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2020 Chevrolet Tahoe; the brakes leads with 25.2% of them, and half of the 705 that record an odometer reading came by 56,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.

Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 30,000 and 81,000 miles.

Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗

How many miles does a 2015–2020 Chevrolet Tahoe last?

Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2015–2020 Chevrolet Tahoe, half of the 705 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 56,000 miles and 90% by 111,000 miles.

22 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Tahoe reached that mileage, not that it failed there.

Figure 1 · Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020 · 705 reports with mileage

Mileage at failure

Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 101 complaints.

Mileage at failure, Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020Histogram of 705 owner-reported failures by mileage, in 10,000-mile bins from 0 to 200,000. The tallest bin is 0 to 10,000 miles with 101 complaints, 14.3 percent of the total. Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 30,000 and 81,000 miles. A further 5 complaints, 0.7 percent, were reported above 200,000 miles and are shown as a separate detached bar. Median mileage at failure is 56,000.
  • Rest of the range
  • Median
  • 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
10%
4,000
25%
30,000
Median
56,000
75%
81,000
90%
111,000

Tallest bin: 101 complaints between 0 and 10,000 miles. Based on 705 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 10,000 miles.

Show the numbers
Complaints by mileage bin
MileageComplaintsShare
0–10,00010114.3%
10,000–20,000344.8%
20,000–30,000415.8%
30,000–40,000456.4%
40,000–50,0007310.4%
50,000–60,0008612.2%
60,000–70,0007410.5%
70,000–80,000547.7%
80,000–90,000618.7%
90,000–100,000344.8%
100,000–110,000253.5%
110,000–120,000182.6%
120,000–130,000213.0%
130,000–140,00091.3%
140,000–150,00071.0%
150,000–160,000111.6%
160,000–170,00030.4%
170,000–180,00010.1%
180,000–190,00020.3%
200,000+50.7%

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.

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.

Common Tahoe problems, and when they happen

Figure 2 · Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020

When each system fails

Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.

  1. Problems owners could not categorise197 reports46,00027,000–60,000Problems owners could not categorise: 197 reports, median 46,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 60,000 miles.
  2. Steering120 reports50,00029,000–84,000Steering: 120 reports, median 50,000 miles, middle half 29,000 to 84,000 miles.
  3. Engine152 reports52,00012,000–85,000Engine: 152 reports, median 52,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 85,000 miles.
  4. Electrical system226 reports55,00022,000–74,000Electrical system: 226 reports, median 55,000 miles, middle half 22,000 to 74,000 miles.
  5. Fuel and propulsion system108 reports60,00023,000–100,000Fuel and propulsion system: 108 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 23,000 to 100,000 miles.
  6. Brakes340 reports62,00045,000–81,000Brakes: 340 reports, median 62,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 81,000 miles.
  7. Transmission and driveline227 reports80,00013,000–104,000Transmission and driveline: 227 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 104,000 miles.
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”

Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

All systems in a table
Complaints by vehicle system
SystemComplaintsShareMedian25–75%
Brakes34025.2%62,00045,000–81,000
Transmission and driveline22716.8%80,00013,000–104,000
Electrical system22616.7%55,00022,000–74,000
Problems owners could not categorise19714.6%46,00027,000–60,000
Engine15211.3%52,00012,000–85,000
Steering1208.9%50,00029,000–84,000
Fuel and propulsion system1088.0%60,00023,000–100,000
Suspension816.0%59,00035,000–75,000
Exterior lighting624.6%47,00015,000–60,000
Body structure463.4%40,00015,000–57,000
System by system, in words

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 56,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The brakes account for 25.2% of complaints (340 reports, 195 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 81,000 miles.

A single system taking 25.2% 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.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 16.8% of complaints (227 reports, 73 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 13,000 and 104,000 miles.

The electrical system accounts for 16.7% of complaints (226 reports, 113 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 55,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 22,000 and 74,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 14.6% of complaints (197 reports, 92 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 46,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 60,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 11.3% of complaints (152 reports, 58 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 52,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 85,000 miles.

The steering accounts for 8.9% of complaints (120 reports, 72 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,000 and 84,000 miles.

Known problems with the 2015–2020 Tahoe

Transmission 2015–2019

8L90 (and related 8L45) torque converter shudder and harsh 2-3/3-2 shifts traced to the original Dexron VI fluid's behavior in the torque converter clutch; GM changed the service fill to Mobil 1 LV ATF HP and the issue was the subject of a class action.

Engine 2015–2020

AFM lifter collapse on the L83 5.3L, producing misfire, tick and potential camshaft damage.

Suspension

Front lower control arm bushing wear and magnetic ride control shock failure on Premier/RST trims.

Before you buy a 2015–2020 Tahoe: the 3-minute check

Generated from 705 mileage-tagged complaints, 19 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.

  1. A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
  2. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 19 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
  3. Check transmission on 2015–2019 cars. 8L90 (and related 8L45) torque converter shudder and harsh 2-3/3-2 shifts traced to the original Dexron VI fluid's behavior in the torque converter clutch; GM changed the service fill to Mobil 1 LV ATF HP and the issue…
  4. Check engine on 2015–2020 cars. AFM lifter collapse on the L83 5.3L, producing misfire, tick and potential camshaft damage.
  5. Check suspension. Front lower control arm bushing wear and magnetic ride control shock failure on Premier/RST trims.
  6. Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
  7. End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 30,000 and 81,000 miles, with a median of 56,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the brakes and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The brakes in particular shows a median failure mileage of 62,000, 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.

Tahoe problems by mileage: where your car sits

Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.

earlier most reports on that system came below this mileage — ask for repair records. in window this mileage sits inside the middle half of its reports. later most reports came above it. That describes reports, not your odds.

Where each system’s reports sit against common odometer readings
SystemMiddle half of reports, miAt 60k mi54% belowAt 90k mi81% belowAt 120k mi92% belowAt 150k mi97% belowAt 200k mi99% below
Brakes45,000–81,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Transmission and driveline13,000–104,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier
Electrical system22,000–74,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Problems owners could not categorise27,000–60,000earlierearlierearlierearlierearlier
Engine12,000–85,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Steering29,000–84,000in windowearlierearlierearlierearlier
Fuel and propulsion system23,000–100,000in windowin windowearlierearlierearlier

Figure 3 · Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020 · 705 reports with mileage

Share of reports below each mileage

Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.

Cumulative share of reports by mileage, Chevrolet Tahoe 2015–2020Of 705 reports that record mileage, the share filed below each odometer reading, rising in steps at each 10,000-mile bin edge. 54 percent below 60,000 miles. 81 percent below 90,000 miles. 92 percent below 120,000 miles. 97 percent below 150,000 miles. 99 percent below 200,000 miles. Median 56,000 miles.
  • 60,000 mi — 54% of reports below
  • 90,000 mi — 81% of reports below
  • 120,000 mi — 92% of reports below
  • 150,000 mi — 97% of reports below
  • 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
  • Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
  • Your odometer — appears after you enter it above

The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.7% of reports (5) came above 200,000 miles.

Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.

2015–2020 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls (19)

NHTSA records 19 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.

3 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.

The campaigns cluster around the seat belts (4), the transmission and driveline (3), the steering (3). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.

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.

Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer, for any owner. Summaries below shorten NHTSA’s own wording.

  1. May 2026 · 2016–2017, 2019 · Power Train do not driveFront or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

    The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020…

    What can happen. Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters…

    NHTSA campaign 26V-289 (2026-05-07).

  2. Apr 2021 · 2015–2016 · Seat BeltsA broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of…

    The defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles that may have received an incorrect replacement tensioner cable assembly as part of a previous recall remedy or…

    What can happen. A broken pretensioner cable reduces the effectiveness of the driver's seat belt, increasing the risk of injury.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat belt lap pretensioner, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-245 (2021-04-08).

  3. Feb 2021 · 2020 · TiresOver cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267…

    NHTSA campaign 21V-115 (2021-02-25).

  4. Oct 2020 · 2018 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time…

    What can happen. A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559…

    NHTSA campaign 20V-603 (2020-10-01).

  5. Nov 2019 · 2020 · Fuel System, GasolineOver-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for…

    What can happen. Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer…

    NHTSA campaign 19V-837 (2019-11-21).

  6. Oct 2019 · 2015–2020 · Service BrakesUnintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service…

    NHTSA campaign 19V-761 (2019-10-24).

  7. Sep 2019 · 2015–2018 · Service Brakes, HydraulicAs the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 19V-645 (2019-09-06).

  8. Sep 2018 · 2015 · SteeringIf EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet…

    NHTSA campaign 18V-586 (2018-09-07).

  9. May 2018 · 2015–2016 · Seat BeltsIf the pretensioner cable becomes fatigued or breaks, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe Police Pursuit and Special-Service vehicles. The flexible steel cable connecting the driver's seat belt to the outboard side of the seat may be repeatedly bent over the…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pretensioner cable and seat side-shield, free of charge. The recall began June 19, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 18V-291 (2018-05-03).

  10. Jul 2017 · 2015–2016 · Seat BeltsA failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The…

    NHTSA campaign 17V-437 (2017-07-10).

  11. Sep 2016 · 2015–2017 · Seat BeltsA failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-651 (2016-09-08).

  12. Apr 2016 · 2016 · Suspension do not driveInadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms…

    What can happen. Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been…

    NHTSA campaign 16V-256 (2016-04-28).

  13. Oct 2015 · 2015 · Electrical SystemIf stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks manufactured January 24, 2014, to February 26, 2014, 2015 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured February 12, 2014 and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles…

    What can happen. 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 free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or…

    NHTSA campaign 15V-640 (2015-10-09).

  14. Nov 2014 · 2015 · SteeringAn unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a…

    What can happen. An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-719 (2014-11-10).

  15. Jul 2014 · 2015 · Air BagsDuring deployment, the RRAB may be punctured or torn by the roof carrier hardware, reducing its performance…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, Suburban LTZ, Tahoe, Tahoe LTZ, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL Denali vehicles manufactured on May 13, 2014. The affected vehicles were assembled with a roof rail air bags (RRAB) that…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roof carrier attaching hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-451 (2014-07-23).

  16. Jun 2014 · 2015 · Power TrainIf the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-374 (2014-06-27).

  17. Jun 2014 · 2015 · Electrical SystemWithout an audible indicator, the driver may not be aware that the driver's door is open while the key is in…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban vehicles equipped with a base radio and an internal amplifier. The radios in the affected vehicles may become…

    What can happen. 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…

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on July 2, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact GM's customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GMC owners…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-301 (2014-06-06).

  18. May 2014 · 2015 · Steering do not driveAn improperly tightened tie rod attachment may allow the tie rod to separate from the steering rack…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles manufactured May 23, 2013, through March 25, 2014, 2014 GMC Sierra vehicles manufactured May 25, 2013, through March 31, 2014, and 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM notified all owners, and dealers will inspect the inner tie rods to make sure that they are correctly tightened, replacing the steering gear, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-246 (2014-05-14).

  19. Mar 2014 · 2015 · Power TrainIf the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot…

    The defect. General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series…

    What can happen. 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.

    The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact…

    NHTSA campaign 14V-152 (2014-03-31).

Some of these 19 campaigns also cover Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2014–2018 (15 of them), Chevrolet Suburban 2015–2020 (14 of them), GMC Sierra 1500 2014–2018 (14 of them) and GMC Yukon 2015–2020 (14 of them): the same campaign number appears in NHTSA’s file against both, which means the same defect and the same free repair.

Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported

What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,351 complaints against this generation:

Crashes
67 (5.0%)
Fires
4
Injury reports
39
Fatality reports
2

These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.

Tahoe problems by model year

The 2015 drew the most complaints of this generation, 658, most of them about the brakes, and the 2020 the fewest, 55. A typical year drew about 139.

That makes the 2015 stand out at roughly 4.7 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.

Complaints by model year
YearComplaintsWith mileageMedian milesMost reportedRecalls
201565841962,000Brakes (185)14
201625613148,000†Brakes (85)8
20171737550,000†Transmission and driveline (53)4
20181043842,000†Problems owners could not categorise (26)3
20191053328,000†Transmission and driveline (38)2
2020559under 30 reportsTransmission and driveline (14)3

† At least 40% of this year’s complaints were filed after 2020, and most complaints filed since then carry no odometer reading. Its median rests on the earlier reports and likely understates the mileage these failures happen at.

What Tahoe owners reported

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine and the vehicle lost motive power and was violently shaking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a…

2019 · 80,000 miles · Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH in sand, the vehicle stalled, and the steering wheel seized. The contact turned off the vehicle, jiggled the steering wheel, and waited approximately 10 minutes before restarting the vehicle to continue driving. The…

2016 · 56,000 miles · Engine

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine started running rough. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with three inoperable fuel injectors. The contact was…

2017 · 34,000 miles · Fuel system

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH uphill in the mountains, the transmission started slipping, followed by a loud banging sound. The contact stated that later, while fishing, there was an abnormal metallic sound like BBs hitting a tin can coming from the…

2017 · 181,000 miles · Engine

Built from 705 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built

Other Tahoe generations

Other full-size SUVs from the same years