2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#13 most-complained of 16 Tahoe years
The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe ranks 13th out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 20, earning a "Best" verdict among Tahoe years. It has 105 complaints, 2 recalls, and no fires reported. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up the largest share at 36%.
- Complaints
- 105
- Recalls
- 2
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 22 hwy
Top 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain38 (36%)
- Engine32 (30%)
- Fuel System25 (24%)
- Electrical System16 (15%)
- Other11 (10%)
- Airbags8 (8%)
- Brakes8 (8%)
- Steering8 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during moderate-to-severe crashes, including T-bone and rear-end impacts.
- Power steering was reported to cut out or lock up suddenly at highway speed, with one case near 70 mph.
- Owners described a "reduced steering assist, drive with care" warning appearing along with loss of reverse gear and limited drive speed.
- Some vehicles reportedly lost engine power or slowed unexpectedly while driving on inclines under cruise control.
- Brakes were reported to feel stiff and fail to stop the vehicle in a low-speed maneuver, resulting in a crash.
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V289000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain66 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
- 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.
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 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.
2019 compared with other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Tahoe has a Complaint Index of 20 and ranks 13th out of 16 model years, earning a "Best" verdict relative to other Tahoe years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 36% of reports, followed by Engine at 30% and Fuel System at 24%. Median mileage at failure for the transmission category was 52,250 miles.
- Does the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 Tahoe, including a brake-related recall (campaign 19V761000) affecting EBCM programming. One recall listed is a "do not drive" recall, though it applies to a broader range of model years including 2026 vehicles.
- Did the 2019 Tahoe have airbag deployment issues?
- NHTSA complaints include multiple reports of airbags not deploying during crashes, with Airbags accounting for 8% of complaints and 6 of the 8 reported crashes in that category.
- How does the 2019 Tahoe compare to other years like 2015 or 2021?
- The 2019 model (Complaint Index 20) reports far fewer problems than the 2015 (93) or 2021 (100) model years, both rated "Avoid," making 2019 one of the stronger Tahoe years.