2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

◆ Worse than typical
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
452
Recalls
16

Campaigns on file for 2021

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1988: 1 complaint 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1995 1996: 283 complaints 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 467 complaints 2005: 293 complaints 2005 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1,176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 284 complaints 2010: 314 complaints 2010 2011: 447 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2015: 658 complaints 2015 2016: 256 complaints 2017: 174 complaints 2018: 103 complaints 2019: 105 complaints 2020: 57 complaints 2021: 452 complaints 2021 452 2022: 189 complaints 2023: 222 complaints 2024: 67 complaints 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 25 complaints
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1993 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1996: 283 complaints 1996 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2002 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 467 complaints 2005: 293 complaints 2005 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1,176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2008 2009: 284 complaints 2010: 314 complaints 2011: 447 complaints 2011 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2014 2015: 658 complaints 2016: 256 complaints 2017: 174 complaints 2017 2018: 103 complaints 2019: 105 complaints 2020: 57 complaints 2021: 452 complaints 2021 452 2022: 189 complaints 2023: 222 complaints 2024: 67 complaints 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 25 complaints 2026
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1992 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1994 1995: 246 complaints 1996: 283 complaints 1996 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1998 1999: 552 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2002 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 467 complaints 2004 2005: 293 complaints 2006: 114 complaints 2006 2007: 1,176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2008 2009: 284 complaints 2010: 314 complaints 2010 2011: 447 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2012 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2014 2015: 658 complaints 2016: 256 complaints 2016 2017: 174 complaints 2018: 103 complaints 2018 2019: 105 complaints 2020: 57 complaints 2021: 452 complaints 2021 452 2022: 189 complaints 2023: 222 complaints 2024: 67 complaints 2024 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 25 complaints 2026

2021: 452 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19913
19926
19938
199419
1995246
1996283
1997410
1998263
1999552
2000282
2001512
2002449
2003507
2004467
2005293
2006114
20071,176
2008528
2009284
2010314
2011447
2012178
2013232
201490
2015658
2016256
2017174
2018103
2019105
202057
2021452
2022189
2023222
202467
202549
202625

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

37% · 167 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The engine in my 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country equipped with the 6.2L V8 (L87) experienced a catastrophic failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-26

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel/propulsion system

21% · 93 reports

Power train

19% · 87 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I purchased my vehicle new in 2020. It presently has around 83,000 miles. From early on, it has occasionally hesitated, then jumped when putting the car in reverse. I spoke to the dealership years ago but they said it was nothing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-27

Electrical system

12% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The airbags failed to deploy in my 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe after being involved in an accident where another vehicle t-boned my vehicle on the passenger side front end to rear end causing severe damage and pushing my vehicle with great force.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-20

Also filed under Air bags

Tl* the contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle idled and loss power. The contact detected a smoke odor and smoke came inside the vehicle from the rear seats.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-04-19

Air bags

6% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing srs malfunction warning lamp/light.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was having an airbag light randomly come up on my dash, and when I would start the vehicle it would state “Service Restraints system”, this started this summer when the weather got hot outside.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-11

Safety timeline

16 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2020-12-21Seats20V735000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  2. ▮
    2021Complaint volume 452 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2021-01-26Seat belts20V792000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  4. R
    2021-01-29Seat belts20V811000 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...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.

  5. R
    2021-03-06Fuel system, gasoline21V064000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  6. I
    2021-04-09Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-24 Air Bag Malfunction
  7. R
    2021-04-14Seat belts21V210000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  8. R
    2021-04-21Seat belts21V190000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  9. R
    2021-07-01Air bags, electrical system21V421000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  10. R
    2021-07-13Steering21V455000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  11. R
    2021-08-27Service brakes, hydraulic21V579000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

  12. R
    2021-10-14Fuel system, gasoline21V739000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021.

  13. R
    2022-03-14Power train22V036000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.

  14. R
    2022-11-01Seat belts22V617000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  15. R
    2022-12-15Exterior lighting22V827000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  16. R
    2024-12-12Power train24V797000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

  17. I
    2025-01-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2025-10-23 Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  18. R
    2025-06-18Engine and engine cooling25V274000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

  19. I
    2025-10-23Engineering analysisOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure
  20. R
    2025-11-05Fuel system, diesel25V619000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025.

  21. I
    2026-01-16Recall queryOpen Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

Buy-smart checklist

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 167 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 87 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 20V735000 · Seats
  • Recall 20V792000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 20V811000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V064000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 21V210000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V190000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 21V421000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 21V455000 · Steering
  • Recall 21V579000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 21V739000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 22V036000 · Power train
  • Recall 22V617000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 22V827000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 24V797000 · Power train
  • Recall 25V274000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 25V619000 · Fuel system, diesel

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
16 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.