YearToAvoid

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 88 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 19% of all complaints filed for the year. Two recalls cover related issues: transmission control module software and rear driveshaft assemblies. Median mileage at failure is 62,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
88
19% of 453
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
62,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the shifter can move into Park on its own while driving, then refuse to shift back into Drive, Reverse, or Neutral.
  • Some describe the transmission unexpectedly slipping into Neutral at highway speed with a dashboard message saying shifting conditions are not met.
  • Several owners report sudden engine stalling or loss of power tied to failed engine lifters, sometimes while merging or at intersections.
  • Multiple complaints describe being unable to shift into Neutral when the engine is off, making it impossible to push the vehicle to safety during an electrical fault.
  • One owner reported a fire during a fifth repair attempt for a transmission wiring harness problem.
  • Owners note the push-button gear selector leaves no manual override if an electrical short or dead battery occurs.

When 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 7, 2020, latest Sep 23, 2026.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month6Dec 2020Apr 2022Oct 2023Sep 2024May 2025Oct 2025Mar 2026Aug 2026
88 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2025 (6).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 22V036000Jan 27, 2022Transmission & Powertrain1,789 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

    Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Tahoe model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200524 (8%)
  2. 20068 (7%)
  3. 200750 (4%)
  4. 20089 (2%)
  5. 200912 (4%)
  6. 20106 (2%)
  7. 20115 (1%)
  8. 20127 (4%)
  9. 20139 (4%)
  10. 20145 (6%)
  11. 201555 (8%)
  12. 201647 (18%)
  13. 201753 (31%)
  14. 201820 (19%)
  15. 201938 (36%)
  16. 202014 (25%)
  17. 202188 (19%)
  18. 202238 (20%)
  19. 202343 (20%)
  20. 20247 (10%)
  21. 20255 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
NHTSA lists 88 complaints in this area for the 2021 Tahoe, which is 19% of the 453 total complaints filed for the model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Yes. Campaign 24V797000 covers a transmission control module software update, and campaign 22V036000 covers rear driveshaft assembly replacement on affected 2021 Tahoe vehicles.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2021 Tahoe?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 62,000 miles for complaints filed in the Transmission & Powertrain area.
Are the 2021 Tahoe transmission complaints linked to crashes or fires?
NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 fire associated with the 88 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Tahoe, with no reported injuries.

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.