2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe ranks 2nd worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 95, 453 complaints, and 16 recalls. Engine problems dominate at 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 57,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Tahoe years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 453
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 16
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2021 Chevy Tahoe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles have caught fire while parked and unoccupied, with flames destroying the vehicle and nearby belongings.
- Owners describe the transmission being repaired multiple times for wiring harness issues, with one repair attempt resulting in a fire at the dealership.
- Some drivers report the vehicle shifting out of Park on its own after the driver removed their foot from the brake, causing the SUV to roll unexpectedly.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during frontal and side-impact crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
- Owners report brakes failing at low speeds, in one case requiring the driver to shift into Park to stop the vehicle.
- A driver reported a front wheel and hub detaching from the vehicle while entering a driveway, striking a parked vehicle.
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, the 2021 ranks near the bottom, placing 2nd worst out of 21 years tracked. It carries a complaint index of 95 and 453 NHTSA complaints, with Engine problems making up 42% of them.
- What problems does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- NHTSA complaints point to Engine issues as the top problem area (42% of complaints, median failure mileage 57,000), followed by Fuel System (26%) and Transmission & Powertrain (19%) concerns.
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2021 Tahoe, covering fuel system, engine, transmission control module software, electrical daytime running lights, seat belts, driveshafts, fuel pump, and brake calibration issues.
- What is the complaint index for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- The 2021 Tahoe has a complaint index of 95, one of the highest among all 21 model years in the dataset, resulting in an overall Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- How does the 2021 Tahoe compare to other Tahoe years?
- The 2021 Tahoe ranks 2nd worst out of 21 years, behind only the 2007 model (complaint index 100). Years like 2014, 2018, and 2020 rate as Best with much lower complaint indexes.