YearToAvoid

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe ranks 19th out of 21 model years for reported problems, with a complaint index of 10 and a Best verdict. It has 104 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it one of the stronger years for this model.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
10/100
#19 of 21 Tahoe years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
104
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
5
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 22.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 1

Top 2018 Chevy Tahoe problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other27 (26%)
  2. Engine25 (24%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain20 (19%)
  4. Brakes19 (18%)
  5. Electrical System15 (14%)
  6. Steering11 (11%)
  7. Fuel System8 (8%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body4 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brake pedal feels hard to push after the vehicle sits overnight, with owners suspecting a vacuum leak in the brake system.
  • Some drivers report total or partial brake failure, including one case of rolling back in traffic and needing the emergency brake to stop.
  • The forward automatic braking system reportedly failed to engage before a collision despite a warning light activating.
  • Airbags reportedly did not deploy in front-impact and rear-impact crashes at highway speeds.
  • The backup camera image is described as grainy and hard to see in dark, rainy conditions.
  • Owners report sudden loss of power or hard thrust when shifting into drive or reverse, in some cases leaving the vehicle briefly undrivable.
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe complaints: complaints filed per quarter82017 Q42019 Q12020 Q22021 Q42022 Q42023 Q42025 Q12026 Q1
104 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q3 (8).

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution602568 !18
2017Caution301734 !18.5
2018Best10104318
2019Caution201052 !17
2020Best1555317

All Chevrolet Tahoe years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Tahoe ranks 19th out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 10 and a Best verdict relative to other Tahoe years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Engine complaints make up the largest share at 24%, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 19% and brakes at 18%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 Tahoe, all related to the brake system, including issues with the Electronic Brake Control Module and vacuum pump output. None are classified as do-not-drive.
How many complaints has NHTSA received for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has logged 104 complaints for the 2018 Tahoe, including 6 crashes, 5 injuries, and 1 death.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The EPA rates the 2018 Tahoe at 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.