Chevy Tahoe Problems | Avoid These Year Models

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 05/05/21 •  11 min read

The Chevrolet Tahoe is one of America’s favorite SUVs. It has a lot to offer in terms of size, features, and performance but like any other car or truck out there it does come with its share of issues. In this blog post, we will walk through the most common Chevy Tahoe problems as well as its worst years to avoid buying.

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Most Common Chevy Tahoe problems

Chevy Tahoe Engine Problems

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2021 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

Have you had problems with your Chevy Tahoe engine? The first problem we’ll talk about is when your car starts to make noise or clunking noises when it idles. This often means there are loose components in your drive train, which can be fixed by checking all of the fasteners on your drive belt system.

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2021 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

 Next, we have an issue where everything seems fine but after driving for a while and turning off the vehicle, drivers find their steering wheel locked up in place.Another issue is a clogged fuel filter, which can cause rough idling and reduced power. Some other causes include poor-quality gas, faulty fuel injectors, and bad oxygen sensors.

Chevy Tahoe Transmission Problems

Have you been noticing some problems with your Chevy Tahoe transmission? If so, then you are not alone. 

This is a serious issue that many people have encountered because of the way the vehicle was designed and manufactured. 

It’s important to know what these issues are before it becomes too late for you to do anything about them.

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The Tahoe has been a popular choice for many car owners, but recently there have been questions about the transmission. 

Some are experiencing grinding and jerking while shifting gears, which may be caused by a faulty torque converter seal. 

The seal could cause fluid to leak out of the transmission case causing friction on metal parts inside when going through gear changes. This will require a new torque converter or an overhauled one for repairs.

Chevy Tahoe Body Paint Problems

Chevy Body Paint problems have been plaguing American car owners since the early 2000s. Chevy has faced several class-action lawsuits from disgruntled customers who say their paint chipped and peeled very soon after purchase.

The most common complaint is that, in humid climates, the paint chips off easily and leaves large sections of the car exposed to rust.

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2021 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

However, it’s not just humidity causing this issue; many people have reported that their vehicle suffered damage within a year or two of purchase with no explanation as to why.

To help you fix the body paint issue in your Tahoe, we would recommend this course which will help you paint your car without taking it to a body shop. An of course you know how much you will be charged for your car to be painted. Lean more here.

Chevy Tahoe Years To Avoid

2012 Chevy Tahoe problems

2012 Chevy Tahoe problems are widespread, with many owners reporting transmission issues. The Chevy Tahoe is a popular SUV that has been in production since 1992. The 2012 model, however, has been plagued with problems from the beginning.

 One of the most common complaints about this year’s Chevrolet Tahoe is that it doesn’t start or won’t turn over when you try to start it.

Chevy Tahoe Problems
Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 2012 | Flickr

 Drivers have reported no power coming out of their battery and many dealing with dead batteries after only one year of driving.

 It seems like these problems are due to faulty ignition switches which cause problems with starting the vehicle even though there is electricity flowing through the system.

The Chevrolet forums have pages and pages of complaints about the  2012 Tahoe’s transmission. Owners report that they experience a loss in power when accelerating or going up hills, and some have even had their cars stall out while driving.

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2012 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

General Motors issued a recall for over 400,000 units of the 2012 model year Chevrolet Tahoes because it was discovered that an incorrect calculation was made when measuring fuel tank pressure. 

There may be some risk that gas could leak out from around the filler neck into areas where it might come into contact with hot surfaces or other sources of ignition.

2015 Chevy Tahoe problems

Car owners have been experiencing a wide range of problems with their 2015 Chevy Tahoe. Among 2015 Chevy Tahoe problems is that the side door will not open from the outside. 

This can be very frustrating when you are trying to get in or out of your car and it won’t open! Another problem reported by many people is that the seats keep sliding back, even after they are adjusted all the way forward. 

These two common Chevy Tahoe problems seem to happen more often in colder climates than warmer ones where there is less moisture on the roadways.

Recently there have been reports that the oil pan gasket can leak fluid onto the exhaust manifold which may lead to a fire if hot enough.

If you own a 2015 Chevy Tahoe, it might be time to take your car in for an inspection. This is because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that there are two recalls on this vehicle. 

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2015 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

The first recall deals with loose fasteners around the engine air cleaner which could lead to a fire if not addressed immediately. 

Fortunately, GM will repair these free of charge and is urging all owners to have their vehicles inspected as soon as possible.

A second recall involves the outside temperature indicator light that may present incorrect readings or go out completely due to water intrusion from heavy rain or snowfall over time.

2018 Chevy Tahoe problems

The 2018 Chevy Tahoe is a large SUV that can seat up to 8 people. With an EPA-estimated 18 MPG in the city, this vehicle will not be able to meet your fuel efficiency needs.

 The 2018 Tahoe has been reported as having major problems with its engine and transmission, leaving you stranded on the side of a busy highway or at home waiting for a tow truck.

The 2018 Chevy Tahoe engine has been plagued with problems since it was initially introduced, and the latest issue is that of a bad fuel injector. 

Chevy Tahoe Problems
Rear Passenger Side View – 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD Premier RST Photos | Flickr

The motor is one of the most powerful engines available in a vehicle today, but also one of the most problematic.

The new 3-liter V6 Turbo Diesel engine GM built for their 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV to meet stricter emission regulations is now being recalled because of faulty fuel injectors.

As a car owner, you might be interested to know that the 2018 Chevy Tahoe has been experiencing transmission problems.

The issue with this vehicle is that when it’s in park mode and the driver shifts from Park to Reverse or Drive, there is a delay before the transmission engages.

 This can make it difficult for drivers who are used to an immediate response after shifting gears. 

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2018 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

There have also been reports of customers noticing their gear shift indicator light flickering as well as an “S” appearing on their dashboard screen during operation. 

While these 2018 Chevy Tahoe problems haven’t caused any accidents thankfully, GM did recall some vehicles due to these issues with transmissions and they’re investigating what could be causing them now too. 

The 2018 Chevy Tahoe has been recalled because of faulty airbags. The company issued a recall for the model due to an issue with sensors that control the deployment of the side and frontal airbags.

This is not the first time Chevy has had issues with their vehicles’ safety. In 2015, they recalled almost 3 million cars for defective ignition switches which could cause them to stall or fail without warning while driving.

2019 Chevy Tahoe problems

The 2019 Chevy Tahoe is a full-size SUV with seating for 8 passengers. It offers three engine options: a 3.6L V6, an EcoTec3 5.3L V8, and the new EcoTec3 6.2L V8 that will be available later in the year. 

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2019 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

The Tahoe also has some of the latest safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection as well as OnStar 4G LTE connectivity to help you stay connected while on the go. despite being so popular, there are some 2019 Chevy Tahoe problems which annoy most of this vehicle owners.

The problem with this vehicle is that there are many complaints about its reliability and quality control issues. 

One of these problems is the air suspension system which can result in the car bottoming out or even rolling over if not maintained properly. 

There are also reports from drivers who have experienced sudden acceleration when they were driving at low speeds as well as transmission failures which can be attributed to poor design rather than material defects.

There have also been reports of steering wheel problems that may lead to accidents because drivers lose control when they cannot steer the car properly.

Some people who have these vehicles say they’re experiencing jerking when accelerating or difficulty shifting gears, which is concerning given how much weight this vehicle has to lug around.

Chevy Tahoe owners should be aware of the recent recall by Chevy. The 2019 Chevy Tahoe is being recalled for an issue with the front passenger seat belt buckle that could lead to a “possible injury in the event of a collision.” This is not only a safety concern, but it also impacts resale value.

When the 2019 Chevy Tahoe was released, General Motors discovered a flaw in the system that is responsible for controlling airbags. 

Chevy Tahoe Problems
2019 Chevy Tahoe © carbuzz

This faulty system could cause an airbag to inflate with too much pressure, which could result in injury or death.

 There have been no reported injuries or fatalities as of yet, but GM has issued a recall on all 2019 Chevy Tahoes as well as 2020-2022 models.

How many miles do Tahoes last?

When it comes to car ownership, there are a lot of things to consider. You need to think about the gas mileage, the cost of maintenance and repairs, and how much you can get for your old vehicle when you’re ready to buy new. 

But what many people don’t realize is that Chevy Tahoes have one of the highest mileages on average–upwards of 300,000 miles!

Are Chevy Tahoes good on gas?

If you are looking for a car that is economical on gas, the Chevy Tahoe may not be your best bet. The Tahoe has an average of 16-19 miles per gallon in the city and 22-26 miles per gallon on highways. 

This can vary depending on the model year and engine size of your vehicle.Some people opt to buy a second car with better gas mileage as their primary vehicle to save money at the pump. 

Others see it as an inconvenience and would rather pay more for gas than spend time driving two cars back and forth from home to work or school. 

Is the Chevy Tahoe a good SUV?

The Chevy Tahoe has been one of the best-selling SUVs in the United States for years. It was originally designed to be a full-size SUV and it is still considered a mid-size SUV by most people. 

But, if you want something with more cargo room than passenger space, then this might not be the right vehicle for you.

 The interior isn’t as luxurious as some other SUVs on the market either but it does come with all of your standard bells and whistles like Bluetooth, navigation system, and satellite radio among others. 

The ride quality is also very smooth even on rough terrain thanks to its coil suspension system that comes standard on every model from Chevrolet.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.