Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2023 to Dec 2025
The most reported issue is engine problems (65 complaints). 9 complaints involved crashes. 3 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (16)
NHTSA Campaign: 21V455000
Component: STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V579000
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.
Risk: Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V036000
Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V792000
Component: SEAT BELTS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V811000
Component: SEAT BELTS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V064000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212327720.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V735000
Component: SEATS
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V739000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V210000
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The second-row center seat belt latch may be trapped beneath the trim bezel and therefore inaccessible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208. "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: A passenger in the second-row center will be unable to wear a seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the trim bezel, correctly position the seat belt latch plate, and reinstall the trim bezel, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212329320.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V421000
Component: AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
NHTSA Campaign: 21V190000
Component: SEAT BELTS
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V617000
Component: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
NHTSA Campaign: 22V827000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
NHTSA Campaign: 24V797000
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V274000
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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.
NHTSA Campaign: 25V619000
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 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 N252512770. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 18, 2025.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 386)
Power Train →5 issues
While driving on the highway, your transmission suddenly lost power and wouldn't go faster than 30 mph, creating a dangerous situation with traffic behind you. When you stopped and restarted the car, it wouldn't engage reverse gear. Your vehicle isn't showing any warning lights or error codes, but based on online research, this may indicate a transmission or valve body issue. The fix will likely require a transmission inspection or possible valve body repair or replacement.
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While driving your 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, you pressed the accelerator but the vehicle didn't respond and lost power, then the transmission suddenly shifted into gear with a hard jolt that felt like being rear-ended. No warning lights appeared on your dashboard. The dealer diagnosed a transmission valve body failure and determined the entire transmission needs to be replaced. The fix will require replacing the transmission assembly.
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While driving your 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe at highway speed (about 60 mph), the transmission suddenly failed without warning, causing the vehicle to lose power and slow down rapidly in traffic. This created a dangerous situation where vehicles behind you had to brake hard to avoid hitting you. The dealership diagnosed the problem as a transmission valve body failure and recommends replacing the entire valve body, which costs around $5,000 and may take over 2 weeks to complete due to parts availability.
Parts you may need:
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While driving at 55 mph, your engine RPMs suddenly revved up and your transmission seemed stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear instead of the normal higher gear. Warning lights appeared on your dashboard saying "rapid deceleration use caution" and your check engine light turned on. When you tried to shift back into Drive after putting it in Park, the transmission wouldn't shift properly and your engine continued running at high RPMs in a lower gear. The transmission may need to be scanned for fault codes, serviced, or potentially repaired or replaced.
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Your transmission started shifting hard and erratically while driving, and you received a propulsion warning message on the dashboard along with a check engine light. The vehicle wouldn't shift into reverse, so it had to be towed to the dealership. The dealer found the issue is in the transmission valve body, which is the component that controls fluid flow through the transmission.
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Engine →4 issues
While driving 80 mph on the interstate, your Tahoe's engine revved to 4000 RPM with rhythmic vibrations, then shifted into Neutral and shut off completely. The dealership diagnosed this as a loss of propulsion requiring a full engine replacement. This happened at 104,000 miles.
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Your engine shut off unexpectedly while driving on the highway at 75 mph and wouldn't restart. After the dealership replaced the battery at significant cost without finding the root cause, your engine suffered a catastrophic internal failure (threw a rod) the next day at highway speed. This suggests the initial shutdown may have been a symptom of a deeper engine problem rather than a battery issue.
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Your 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe's engine suddenly seized while you were driving on the highway, causing a loud clunk and complete power loss. The engine won't crank or start, and the dealership confirmed this is part of a known recall issue affecting 5.3L V8 engines due to defective connecting rods or crankshaft problems — but your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in the recall despite having the same year, model, engine, and problem. The issue will require engine repair or replacement, which should be covered under the recall.
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While driving slowly to a stop sign, your engine suddenly made a loud clunking noise and the vehicle abruptly stopped without warning. Multiple dashboard warning lights came on immediately, and you heard knocking sounds coming from the engine. Your vehicle won't operate normally and the sudden failure created a safety risk, especially since you were driving at night with children in the car. The engine may need professional inspection to diagnose internal damage, which could require significant repairs or engine replacement.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →2 issues
Your vehicle lost communication with the OnStar system while driving, and you believed your brakes failed along with other safety systems becoming inoperable. The dealer was notified but didn't diagnose or repair the issue. This happened at 114,000 miles, and Chevrolet has been made aware of the problem.
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Your truck's sound system cuts in and out intermittently, including the audio alert for your turn signal. Because you can't hear the blinker click, you have to look down at the dashboard to confirm the blinker is activated, which creates a distraction while driving. The issue likely involves a faulty electrical connection or module controlling the audio system and turn signal sounds.
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Engine And Engine Cooling →2 issues
Your engine is consuming oil much faster than normal, and you're hearing abnormal knocking sounds from the engine. You may also notice the engine hesitates during acceleration, blue smoke coming from the exhaust, and your check engine light turning on and off. A dealer inspection found metal shavings in your oil, which indicates internal engine damage that typically requires a complete engine replacement.
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Your 2021 Tahoe's engine developed a knocking sound while driving, along with a check engine warning light. A mechanic discovered a bent engine rod, indicating engine failure at 72,000 miles. This issue is linked to a known manufacturer recall, and the manufacturer has agreed to cover half the cost of engine replacement. The repair will likely involve removing and replacing the entire engine.
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Seat Belts →1 issue
Your third-row seat belts don't lock properly when you try to fasten them. This prevents the seat belts from securing occupants in those seats during driving or in a crash. The seat belt retractor mechanism or locking mechanism may need to be inspected and repaired by a technician.
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Electrical System,engine,fuel/propulsion System →1 issue
Your 2021 Tahoe is unexpectedly shifting into neutral, losing engine power, and stalling while driving — sometimes without warning — creating dangerous near-miss situations with other vehicles. This has happened multiple times since March 2025, and your dealer has replaced six different components based on error codes, but the problem keeps returning within days to two months. The dealership and Chevrolet Customer Care claim the vehicle is safe, but you've spent over $6,000 on repairs and don't feel confident driving it. Identifying and permanently fixing the underlying electrical or fuel system fault will likely require comprehensive diagnostic testing to find the root cause rather than replacing individual parts.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,power Train,engine →1 issue
Your 2021 Tahoe has three serious issues: the engine is burning excessive oil (5 quarts every 3,000 miles), causing thick white smoke to pour from the exhaust unexpectedly—a frightening situation that caused panic among your passengers. The transmission jerks harshly when shifting gears, and the steering wheel has become unstable. A Chevrolet dealer determined the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the transmission and engine problems. These issues will likely require engine rebuild or replacement, transmission repair or replacement, and steering system diagnosis.
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Electrical System,engine,forward Collision Avoidance →1 issue
Your truck started making knocking noises and acting rough while idling, then multiple warning lights appeared on your dashboard: the ESV service light, engine light, and forward collision avoidance system failure light. Your vehicle has lost significant power and you're noticing a burning electrical smell from under the hood. The truck is not drivable for normal use and needs immediate diagnosis to identify what's causing the electrical and engine issues.
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Exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your driver's side headlight adjuster broke on its own while driving, causing the headlight to point downward and severely limiting your nighttime visibility. The dealer says the entire headlight assembly must be replaced—a costly repair requiring bumper removal—but both the dealer and GM refused to cover any costs. You're concerned this is a design defect since the plastic adjuster arm separates inside the assembly with no way to access or repair it.
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Fuel System, Gasoline →1 issue
While driving at 25 mph, your Tahoe lost power when you pressed the accelerator and then stalled without warning. The dealer found that the fuel module had failed and replaced it. You discovered online that this failure matches a known recall campaign, but your vehicle's VIN wasn't included in that recall. The fuel module will need to be replaced to restore normal operation.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train,vehicle Speed Control,engine →1 issue
While driving your Tahoe at 35 MPH, you heard an abnormal clunking sound followed by unexpected engine revving, a check engine light, and a message telling you to reduce acceleration and drive with care. Your vehicle then started coasting on its own before returning to normal operation after a short time. The dealer diagnosed a transmission valve body failure that requires replacement.
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