2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 453 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 9 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, diesel, storage, tank assemblySep 18, 2025
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
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.
Campaign 25V619000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engine, hard parts internal/mechanicalApr 24, 2025
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.
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 25V274000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module, softwareOct 24, 2024
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.
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V797000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, lighting control module, softwareNov 3, 2022
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."
Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V827000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, critical fastenersAug 11, 2022
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.
A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V617000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftJan 27, 2022
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.
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pump, control/drive moduleSep 23, 2021
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.
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V739000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, power assist, electric, control module, softwareJul 29, 2021
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.
Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V579000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, steering control moduleJun 17, 2021
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.
Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V455000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, srs malfunction warning lamp/lightJun 10, 2021
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.
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 21V421000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherMar 25, 2021
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."
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.
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.
Campaign 21V210000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsMar 18, 2021
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.
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
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.
Campaign 21V190000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyFeb 11, 2021
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 21V064000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 23, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V811000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsDec 17, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V792000 on NHTSA.gov
SeatsNov 25, 2020
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V735000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
41 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2023
Exhaust fumes in cabin from back presure valve welds
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2023
High pitched whine during during acceleration.
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2023
Purchased a 2021 Tahoe in late 2020 - May of 2021 the car started leaking water during a rain storm into the main cabin. Brought it to the dealership and they couldn't find any issues. Fast-forward to 2023 and it happened again in May and June. Brought the car to dealership and was told that the sunroof drains were clogged and it's a maintenance issue. I contacted GM and after about 2 months they had a field tech look at it....found that it wasn't a maintenance issue but a sunroof drainage tube that was installed incorrectly. I received an email saying that they would replace the tube and front carpet but I need to pay 50% of the bill. All the carpets and roof liner have been affected by the leaking and the car smells like mildew. I would expect them to at least replace everything and pay 100%. If they were responsible they would take the car and replace it with a new car for me. I purchased a $65,000+ vehicle with a factory defect that has caused water leaking into the car and i don't know if there will be future issues with electrical or mold.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2023
water leaking in from the roof area. I heard water above me, then after applying the brakes water came pouring in through the LED lights, seat belts, and other areas mostly on the passenger side of the vehicle. After pulling panels and looking, water was dripping down into the car getting airbags wet, the fuse panel, seat belts are soaked, carpet, and water inside LEDs and dripping on other electronics. Dealership unable to locate leak at this time and is a continuing problem.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2023
My tahoe has shut off several times. I am sometimes at a red light and it shuts off and won't turn on or itll eventually turn off but it has a ton of errors on the screen. This has happened about 6 times. Today, April 6th, it wouldn't even start. It has started at the dealership but the screens are blacked out. Also the back hatch is not working as well and it randomly happened. I just purchased this vehicle in September of 2022. And it only has about 40k miles on it. The first time it shut off on me it had less than 40k miles.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 10, 2023
I have an on going problem with the emissions system on my 2021 Tahoe. The vehicle discharges raw diesel fuel and DEF from the exhaust tail pipe during cold startup. This discharge is overwhelming and is so strong it can be detected by smell from over fifty feet away. In addition to this issue the fumes enter the inside of the vehicle and at times it is so bad you need to open the windows. I believe this problem is unsafe as it poses a fire risk and a CO exposure risk to the vehicle occupants. The vehicle has been in the shop repeatedly for the past eighteen months with various parts replaced. To date none of the repairs have fixed the problem. In February GM issued a statement saying that this is normal operations.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2023
While driving on the highway there was a loud explosion like sound. The sunroof on the SUV completely shattered. There was no car in front of me and no overpasses. Sunroof shattered and glass came in the car. I was driving the speed limit which is 70MPH and there was no forewarning. GM is scheduled to look at the vehicle, I am waiting on their return call.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2023
Panoramic sunroof exploded suddenly and without any warning.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2022
Received an Over-the-Air update that rendered my vehicle unless. My vehicle would no longer start, or power on, or power on in accessory mode. It was stuck in Park, the electronic Parking Brake could not be disengaged, the door locks could not be operated and left unlocked, no lights, no warning lights, the emergency lights did not function, no horn, and most everything else. The only things still working were the radio, the driver's side powered seat would move, and the light came on for the Parking Brake. The battery was fully charged. I also started receiving messages through my Chevrolet APP that the vehicle had no air in the tires, no oil in the engine, and many other items that needed servicing. I am not sure what exact components or computers have failed yet. GM could not find any dealer to render aid and come to my location to reprogram the vehicle. It had to be towed to a dealer. With the electronic Parking Brake engaged, GM had a hard time trying to find a tow truck that wouldn't just drag the vehicle down my driveway and onto a flatbed.
Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2022
On 7/13/2022, I was driving down the highway and my Tahoe without any warning began to decelerate. I put on hazards and merged over in rush hour morning traffic off to side of the highway. I looked to put it in park and it had switched itself into Neutral. I immediately shut the car off and tried 3-4 times to start it. Had to wait 5 minutes then got it started and back on road I went. The previous evening, the My Chevrolet App showed I had a flat driver side rear tire but in fact, I didn't.
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2021
The sunroof made a very loud popping noise and exploded while driving on the interstate on November 30th around 12:15pm in about 40-50 degree temperatures. There were no warnings or noises or any indications that something was wrong. The safety of myself and children were put at risk, as the glass came down into the car while driving on the interstate, and presumably the safety of other drivers if some of the glass flew off onto the interstate. A local body shop has taken photos, as have I, and we have filed a claim with our insurance company. Our local GM dealer did not want to cover the cost under warranty, claiming there was no way to prove exactly what happened. The vehicle has been looked at and temporarily fixed by a local body shop, but not thoroughly inspected. The body shop has ordered new glass and will inspect the vehicle next week.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2021
On 10/21/2021 while driving about 65 mph on highway 80 in Sacramento my sunroof glass exploded. It was not struck by any object. The weather at the time was rain and about 60 degrees. Traffic was light and nothing near that could have caused this to happen. Fortunately the shade was closed preventing any glass to enter the interior. Its been in at the dealer Stevens Creek Chevrolet in San Jose since 10/21/2021 waiting for a replacement glass. This incident could have injured anyone in the vehicle if the shade had not been drawn. So far it appears it is being handled as a warranty issue.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2021
In late May, 2021, an "over-the-air" software update was forced onto our vehicle by GM. This update was initiated, and resulted in a failure of the over-the-air system. We brought our vehicle in to our dealer, who indicated that the "module" is bad and a part is required to fix it. This part is reportedly "on backorder" with no known ETA. This has resulted in various notifications (turn signal indicators, and unknown other notifications on the dash) as well as our center console (music, nav, etc.) to become unresponsive. Since the "module" failure, GM has issued two additional safety recalls. In the paper notices we received for the safety recalls, GM indicates that they had been "prompting owners through the vehicle's radio screen" for a month, via this over-the air system, of which, ours has not been functional since late May 2021. The last of which is a power steering recall, which may result if loss of power steering functionality. Due to our inability to know the recall existed, resulting from the faulty "over-the-air" system, my family took a trip through the mountains only to return home to this recall notice. GM has been unresponsive in repairing the system used to notify us safety hazards related to the vehicle that we have purchased, beyond noting that they are trying to "get the part as soon as possible". No one has been able to indicate what this "part" actually is, to date. The possibility of this module failure, and our non-functioning module, presents a serious safety hazard to drivers with this technology who are not made aware of recalls and other safety concerns which may result in crashes and serious injury or death.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 12, 2021
VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ONLY 6900 MILES. BATTERY FINE, LIGHTS AND RADIO WORK, WINDOWS AND TAILGATE WORK. CAR TURNS OVER, BUT JUST WON'T START. READ MANUAL, DID EVERYTHING SUGGESTED. CLEARLY AN ELECTRONIC ERROR. AND, BECAUSE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED, IT COULD NOT BE PUT IN NEUTRAL. TOW DRIVER HAD TO DRAG CAR ACROSS PAVEMENT ON FLATBED. COULD NOT BE GOOD FOR BRAKES OR ANYTHING ELSE DOWN BELOW. WHEN ARRIVED AT DEALERSHIP, COULD NOT GET TAHOE OFF FLATBED. WINCH ONLY PULLS UP ONTO FLATBED, DOES NOT PUSH BACKWARDS. OILED THE FLATBED AND SHOOK THE ENTIRE TOW TRUCK BODY TO TRY TO GET IT TO SLIDE DOWN. NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED. BUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO SAME THING HAPPENED TO A FRIEND'S GMC VERSION. CLEARLY ELECTRONIC FAILURE IN BAND-NEW CAR.
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2021
2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, 79 MILES ON ODOMETER WHEN DRIVEN OFF LOT ON 02/22/21. VEHICLE FRAME AND SUSPENSION PARTS, AS WELL AS, CONTROL, STEERING, AND POWERTRAIN PARTS HAVE SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OCCURRING. VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND INSPECTED 11/2020. VEHICLE WAS VISUALLY INSPECTED BY OWNER. CURRENTLY IN PROCESS OF TRYING TO REMEDY WITH GM. CORROSION SO EARLY IN VEHICLE LIFE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LEAD TO FAILURE. I RESIDE IN TACOMA, WASHINGTON. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN PUYALLUP, WASHINGTON. MORE PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE AREAS OF CORROSION THAN PHOTO UPLOAD ALLOWED FOR. GM CLAIMS 2021 MODELS HAVE A NEW PROCESS WHEN MANUFACTURING AND TREATING METAL. IT APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED. THE CLIMATE HERE IS MILD, AND ROAD SALT IS NOT USED IN THE AREA.
Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2020
I'VE BEEN RECEIVING THIS MESSAGE "SERVICE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM" SINCE OCTOBER 26, 2020. SURPRISED THAT I KEEP RECEIVING THIS MESSAGE AND I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 WEEKS BRAND NEW. UNSURE AS TO WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND CURRENTLY SEEKING RESOLUTION OF THIS.