Chevrolet Tahoe Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
The Chevrolet Tahoe years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023, each with a complaint index of 75 or higher and multiple recall campaigns. The best years, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, are 2014, 2018, and 2020.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2011Avoid 2015Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Best 2014Best 2018Best 2020
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 5,982
- Recall campaigns
- 61
- Crashes reported
- 155
- Fires reported
- 64
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Tahoe Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Tahoe problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Caution | 50 | 293 | 9 | 14 | 5 | Electrical System | 15 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 114 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Structure & Body | 15 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 100 | 1,177 | 26 | 27 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 85 | 528 | 6 | 5 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 65 | 284 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 55 | 314 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 75 | 446 | 5 | 2 | 5 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Good | 45 | 178 | 8 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 35 | 232 | 4 | 0 | 4 | Structure & Body | 17 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Best | 5 | 90 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 17 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 90 | 658 | 29 | 2 | 14 ! | Brakes | 18 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 60 | 256 | 17 | 1 | 8 ! | Brakes | 18 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 30 | 173 | 3 | 1 | 4 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Best | 10 | 104 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 18 | 4★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 20 | 105 | 8 | 0 | 2 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 15 | 55 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 95 | 453 | 9 | 3 | 16 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 70 | 187 | 3 | 3 | 4 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 80 | 220 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Good | 25 | 67 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 48 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 17 | 5★ |
Tahoe years to avoid: what went wrong
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Index 100 · 1,177 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 Tahoe carries the highest complaint index of any year at 100, driven mostly by airbags, which made up 42% of its complaints with a median failure mileage of 100,000. Structure & body issues followed at 26%. Owners reported fires starting under the hood and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. NHTSA logged 27 fires and 75 injuries for this year. GM issued four recall campaigns, including two covering front passenger airbag inflator replacement.
2007 airbags problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 electrical system problems →
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Index 95 · 453 complaints · 16 recalls
The 2021 Tahoe has a complaint index of 95 and 16 recall campaigns, the most of any year covered. Engine problems lead at 42% of complaints with a median mileage of 57,000, followed by fuel system issues at 26%. Owners reported vehicles losing power and filling with smoke while idling, as well as parked vehicles catching fire and burning completely. Recalls cover fuel tank replacement, engine inspection, and transmission control module software.
2021 engine problems →2021 fuel system problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe Index 90 · 658 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2015 Tahoe scores 90 on the complaint index with 14 recall campaigns, one of them a do-not-drive recall. Brakes are the top problem area at 33% of complaints, median mileage 75,000, followed by electrical system issues at 26%. Owners reported vehicles rolling away unexpectedly after being placed in park, brake failure at low speed, and fires linked to melted components under the hood. Seat belt pretensioner and brake control module recalls both apply to this model year.
2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 steering problems →
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Index 85 · 528 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 Tahoe has a complaint index of 85, with airbags accounting for 44% of complaints at a median mileage of 93,000. Owners reported engine bay fires, including some starting while the vehicle was parked or shortly after driving, and electrical fires originating near the console. Structure & body complaints made up 26% of reports. Four recall campaigns apply, including airbag inflator replacements and an electrical module recall shared across several GM SUVs and trucks.
2008 airbags problems →2008 structure & body problems →2008 electrical system problems →
2023 Chevrolet Tahoe Index 80 · 220 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2023 Tahoe has a complaint index of 80. Engine complaints dominate at 63% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 31,647. Owners reported repeated dealer visits for brake pad sensor faults, a frayed wire inside the brake module, and steering that sat noticeably off-center. Five recall campaigns apply, including fuel tank inspection, engine inspection, and an electronic brake control module software update.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Index 75 · 446 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2011 Tahoe has a complaint index of 75. Airbags dominate its complaints at 41%, with a median failure mileage of 66,900. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy during crashes and suspension components failing, including a wheel separating from the vehicle. Five recall campaigns cover this year, including airbag inflator and ignition lock housing issues. Structure & body complaints made up 18% of reports at a median mileage of 64,500.
2011 airbags problems →2011 structure & body problems →2011 electrical system problems →
Most common Chevy Tahoe problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags1,367 (23%)
- Other1,326 (22%)
- Structure & Body962 (16%)
- Electrical System937 (16%)
- Engine902 (15%)
- Brakes669 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain543 (9%)
- Fuel System395 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires217 (4%)
- Steering214 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What Chevrolet Tahoe years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023. These years carry complaint indexes between 75 and 100, well above other model years.
- What are the best Chevrolet Tahoe years to buy?
- The 2014, 2018, and 2020 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 5, 10, and 15 respectively, the lowest across all 21 years covered.
- Is the 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
- The 2015 Tahoe is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 90 and 14 recall campaigns, including one do-not-drive recall. Brakes and electrical system issues were the top complaint areas.
- What is the most common problem area across all Chevrolet Tahoe years?
- Airbags are the top problem area overall, accounting for 1,367 complaints, or 23% of the 5,982 total complaints logged across all model years.
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have a lot of recalls?
- Yes. The 2021 Tahoe has 16 recall campaigns, the most of any year in this model's history, covering fuel tank, engine, and transmission control module issues.