2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 16 Tahoe years
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe has a complaint index of 100, the highest of all 16 model years tracked, and ranks worst overall (rank 1). With 453 complaints, 16 recalls, and engine issues in 42% of cases, it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Tahoe years.
- Complaints
- 453
- Recalls
- 16
- Crashes / fires
- 9 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 20 hwy
Top 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine190 (42%)
- Fuel System117 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain88 (19%)
- Electrical System71 (16%)
- Other41 (9%)
- Airbags27 (6%)
- Brakes22 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras22 (5%)
- Steering14 (3%)
- Seat Belts13 (3%)
What owners report
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked and unoccupied, with smoke and flames destroying the vehicle without warning.
- Owners report brakes failing at low speed, under 10 mph, sometimes requiring the vehicle to be shifted into park to stop.
- Some drivers say the vehicle shifted into Park but then rolled into Drive on its own after the foot was removed from the brake.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes despite severe vehicle damage.
- A front wheel and hub reportedly detached from the vehicle while it was moving at low speed, striking a parked car.
- Electrical wiring harness repairs for a transmission issue reportedly preceded a fire that started shortly after a dealer test drive.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
16 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V619000Sep 18, 2025Fuel System12 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:storage:tank assembly
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252512770. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 18, 2025.
- NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
- NHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,125
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2021 compared with other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
- Compared to other Tahoe model years, 2021 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst (1 of 16 years), earning an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- NHTSA data shows engine complaints make up 42% of reports (190 complaints, median mileage 57,000), followed by fuel system issues at 26% (117 complaints) and transmission/powertrain issues at 19% (88 complaints).
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recalls for the 2021 Tahoe, covering fuel system, engine, transmission, electrical, brakes, and seat belt components, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2021 Tahoe compare to other years?
- The 2021 Tahoe's complaint index of 100 is the highest among all 16 years with data; by contrast, 2020 and 2018 both scored a complaint index of 7 and 13 and are rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- EPA rates the 2021 Tahoe at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,125.