Chevy’s Tahoe has a reputation as a long-lasting SUV that could reach over 200k miles. However, some model years were plagued with recalls and complaints. The most notable problems include faulty airbag and seat belt components that prevent airbag deployment, electrical system and brakes malfunction, and engine failure.
Key Points
- Tahoes manufactured from 2010 to 2021 accumulated 69 recalls, 11 investigations, and 2,039 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- The 2015 model year of the Tahoe is by far the most problematic, with a whopping 16 recalls and the most significant number of complaints of any year in the 2010-2021 period with 491.
- None of the 2010 to 2021 Chevy Tahoe models ever achieved a five-star safety rating.
- Most NHTSA-registered complaints from 2010 to 2021 are for cracked dashboards, airbag and seat belt problems, and engine issues such as misfire, failure, and excessive oil consumption.
- Many owners have also complained about loss of power, engine stalling, and steering wheel locking up while driving.
48 NHTSA Recalls Over Serious Issues like Faulty Airbags Created Troubled Years for 2010-2016 Chevy Tahoes
The Chevrolet Tahoe was first introduced in 1995 to complement Chevy’s lineup of SUVs for large families and big towing needs or big cargo-hauling requirements.
Throughout its history, the Tahoe has gained a reputation as a reliable, long-lasting vehicle and competes with other Chevrolet models like the Suburban, the GMC Yukon, and the Ford Expedition.
But this reputation does not mean the Tahoe is without its issues. On the contrary, the Tahoe had troubled years, especially from 2010 to 2016. In these six years, the Tahoe was pounded with 48 recalls by the NHTSA, 15 of them being airbag-related.
In addition, there were several recalls over unintended braking caused by glitchy software and decreased vacuum pump power. The remedy involved replacing the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) in both recalls.
These problems cast a shadow of doubt on Chevrolet’s ability to manufacture a genuinely dependable vehicle.
Bad Brakes, Malfunctioning Airbags, and Seat Belt Tensioner Cables Prone to Fatigue Led to 2015 Tahoe’s 16 Recalls
The 16 recalls on the fourth-generation 2015 Tahoe include five related to the seat belts with things like broken pretensioner cables that increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Also, under certain driving conditions, deployment of the frontal airbags and the seat belt pretensioners may not occur in the event of a crash due to defective diagnostic module software. As a result, GM recalled the vehicles with a previous airbag deployment to replace the diagnostic module.
The 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe’s brake problems have led to the model year’s most consumer complaints. Issues range from the brake pedal vibrating or becoming stiff to difficulty braking.
Electrical system problems have the third-largest number of complaints, ranging from loss of power, faulty infotainment systems, or the steering wheel locking up for a split second.
Also, the 2015 Tahoe only achieved an “Average” J.D. Power score in quality and reliability.
Cracked Dashboards Plague Several Model Years of Tahoe’s Third and Fourth Generations, but Most Serious Issues Include Random Loss of Power and Continuing Airbag Problems
The third- and fourth-generation Chevrolet Tahoe offer buyers an SUV with a good level of reliability, but both still have their issues. However, we can consider the last model year (2014) of the third-generation Tahoe as highly reliable, boasting a “Great” quality and reliability score from J.D. Power.
Still, this model year faces serious safety concerns due to complaints about faulty airbag components and electrical problems ranging from malfunctioning door locks and interior lights to the vehicle stalling or losing power at different speeds.
In addition to its recalls, the 2014 Tahoe already has a relatively high number of registered complaints, at 80. The most recurrent complaint across several model years of the Tahoe is cracking in the dashboards. Owners have reported cracking in different places, mainly above the passenger airbag cover, potentially puncturing the airbag.
2019 and 2020 Tahoe Models were a Major Improvement in Reliability, but 2021 was Another Lousy Year
Although by 2020, Chevrolet had fixed many of the common Tahoe faults, this SUV took a step back in quality with its 2021 model.
While the 2019 and 2020 models only have four recalls between both, the 2021 Tahoe which marked the beginning of its fifth-generation was hit with 11 recalls. Problems in the 2019 and 2020 models include leaky fuel pumps due to a missing pressure regulator and more electronic-brake control module issues.
The 2021 Tahoe has four recalls due to seat belt problems. These include the risk of the seat belt latch being trapped beneath the trim bezel and becoming inaccessible, and the front center seat belts not being secured correctly.
Other recalls on the 2021 Tahoe include the failure of the fuel pump due to a faulty power control module, and the brake system calibrated incorrectly.
As Long as You Avoid the 2015 Model Year, You Can Rely on the Chevy Tahoe to Be a Dependable Family SUV
While the Tahoe may not boast the reliability of other SUVs, overall, it’s a dependable, well-performing vehicle with excellent towing and cargo capabilities and lots of interior space.
In addition, Chevrolet has shown a great willingness to solve common problems with this nameplate, which is a good incentive for potential Tahoe buyers.
Unfortunately, the fifth generation of the Tahoe seems to suffer from new problems. Still, it will have to wait to see if the following models continue this trend.
Photos: Chevrolet
