2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Brakes Problems
NHTSA logged 19 brake complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, 18% of all complaints that year, with 2 crashes and 1 injury reported. Median mileage at failure was 50,000 miles. Three related brake recalls exist, but several owners report GM told them their VIN was not covered.
- Brakes complaints
- 19
- 18% of 104 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 104
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 1
- Median mileage
- 50,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 3
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Brake pedal becomes hard to push after the vehicle sits overnight, consistent with a vacuum leak in the brake booster system.
- Owners describe sudden loss of braking power while driving, requiring use of the emergency brake to stop the vehicle.
- Forward automatic braking or forward collision alerts trigger but the vehicle fails to stop or slow as expected, in one case resulting in a crash.
- A vacuum pump seizure is reported to have caused the brake belt to break, leaving the brakes very hard to press and unable to stop the vehicle.
- A 'trailer brake system failure' message appears on the dash even when no trailer is attached, sometimes with the electric brake system appearing to shut off mid-drive.
- Brake calipers reportedly stick, producing smoke from the tire, and the ABS light illuminates after repairs, with the brake later re-engaging unexpectedly.
When 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe brake complaints were filed
First complaint Jan 10, 2019, latest Sep 23, 2025.
Brakes recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 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.
Brakes complaints by Tahoe model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- NHTSA lists 19 brake complaints for the 2018 Tahoe, making up 18% of all 104 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three brake-related recalls tied to the 2018 Tahoe, all involving reprogramming the Electronic Brake Control Module due to reduced vacuum from the brake booster vacuum pump.
- At what mileage do 2018 Tahoe brake problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 50,000 miles at the time of the reported brake failure.
- Have 2018 Tahoe brake problems caused crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA records 2 crashes and 1 injury among the 19 brake complaints filed for the 2018 Tahoe.