2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
13/100
#14 most-complained of 16 Tahoe years
The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe has 104 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 13, and ranks 14th worst out of 16 model years, earning a 'Best' verdict among Tahoe years. It has 3 recalls, all brake-related, and no do-not-drive orders.
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other27 (26%)
- Engine25 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain20 (19%)
- Brakes19 (18%)
- Electrical System15 (14%)
- Steering11 (11%)
- Fuel System8 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the brake pedal becoming hard to push after the truck sits overnight, pointing to a vacuum leak in the brake system.
- Some drivers describe total or partial brake failure while in traffic, including one case of rolling backward and needing the emergency brake to stop.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal or rear-end crashes at highway speeds despite significant vehicle damage.
- The forward automatic braking system reportedly failed to engage when a warning light came on, leading to a collision.
- Owners describe the fuel gauge and check engine light malfunctioning together with the engine stalling while driving on the highway and in the city.
- Some report the backup camera showing a grainy, distorted, or too-dark image at night or in rain, reducing visibility while reversing.
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V603000Oct 1, 2020Brakes14,620 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
- NHTSA 19V761000Oct 24, 2019Brakes652,967 vehicles
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
- NHTSA 19V645000Sep 6, 2019Brakes3,456,719 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
- Among Tahoe model years, 2018 ranks 14th worst out of 16 with a complaint index of 13, giving it a 'Best' verdict relative to other Tahoe years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Tahoe?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Engine issues lead at 24% of complaints, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 19% and Brakes at 18%.
- Does the 2018 Tahoe have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Tahoe, all involving the brake system, including electronic brake control module reprogramming. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 Tahoe compare to other years?
- The 2018 Tahoe's complaint index of 13 is far lower than 2015 (93), 2021 (100), and 2011 (80), all rated 'Avoid,' making 2018 one of the stronger years.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2018 Tahoe?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 42,000 miles, though Engine issues average 83,000 miles and Electrical System issues average just 8,350 miles.