Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Chevrolet Tahoe Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints

What this means

We rank Chevrolet Tahoe model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (57) and the 2007 the most (1,177).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Complaints filed by model year

3 settled years with the fewest complaints3 settled years with the mostStill collecting reports

Every year compared

Chevrolet Tahoe model years: complaints filed with NHTSA, recall campaigns, most-reported component, crash stars and combined mpg. Select a column heading to sort.
Most-reported component
2026
Still collecting reports
26 3 Engine 5★ 16–24
2025
Still collecting reports
49 1 Engine 5★ 16–24
2020
Among the fewest complaints
57 3 Engine 4★ 17–18
2024
Still collecting reports
67 3 Engine 4★ 16–24
2014
Among the fewest complaints
90 3 Unknown or other 4★ 17
2018
Among the fewest complaints
104 3 Unknown or other 4★ 17–19
2019 106 2 Power train 4★ 17–18
2017 173 4 Power train 4★ 18–19
2012 179 3 Unknown or other 4★ 17–21
2022 190 4 Engine 4★ 16–24
2023 224 5 Engine 4★ 16–24
2013 232 4 Unknown or other 4★ 17–21
2016 256 8 Service brakes 4★ 18–19
2009 306 5 Air bags — 14–21
2010 318 3 Unknown or other — 17–22
2021 454 16 Engine 4★ 16–24
2011 455 5 Unknown or other 4★ 17–21
2008
Among the most complaints
586 4 Air bags — 14–21
2015
Among the most complaints
658 14 Service brakes 4★ 18
2007
Among the most complaints
1,177 4 Air bags — 16–17

Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

What owners reported in the Chevrolet Tahoe years with the most complaints

These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe: 1,177 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 500 (42%); Structure 279 (24%); Electrical system 142 (12%).

Reports mention 26 crashes, 27 fires, 75 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.

2015 Chevrolet Tahoe: 658 complaints

Most-reported: Service brakes 196 (30%); Electrical system 135 (21%); Steering 70 (11%).

Reports mention 29 crashes, 2 fires, 18 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 14 recall campaigns listed.

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe: 586 complaints

Most-reported: Air bags 244 (42%); Electrical system 100 (17%); Structure 84 (14%).

Reports mention 7 crashes, 5 fires, 21 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 73,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.

The Chevrolet Tahoe years with the fewest complaints

2020 Chevrolet Tahoe: 57 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 14 (25%); Power train 14 (25%); Electrical system 12 (21%).

Reports mention 4 crashes, 8 injuries. 3 recall campaigns listed.

2014 Chevrolet Tahoe: 90 complaints

Most-reported: Electrical system 15 (17%); Air bags 13 (14%); Structure 10 (11%).

Reports mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 56,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe: 104 complaints

Most-reported: Engine 20 (19%); Power train 20 (19%); Service brakes 19 (18%).

Reports mention 6 crashes, 5 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 42,500 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.

Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Tahoe owner reports

Chevrolet Tahoe owner complaints to NHTSA that report a crash, fire, injury or death, and the typical odometer reading when filed
Model yearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTypical miles at filing
2026260000—
2025491110—
2024671020—
2023224301033,253
2022190335049,000
2021454939041,000
2020574080—
2019106806028,000
2018104605142,500
2017173315050,000
201625617113048,000
201565829218162,000
201490302156,000
2013232406060,000
20121798110070,000
2011455623066,801
2010318309074,000
2009306519078,000
20085867521073,000
20071,177262775077,000

Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Largest Chevrolet Tahoe recalls

  • Frontal Air Bags May Not Deploy (2015–2017 model years; 3,640,162 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V651000)
  • Vacuum Pump May Decrease Power Brake Assist (2015–2018 model years; 3,456,719 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V645000)
  • Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2007–2011 model years; 2,641,272 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V050000)
  • Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2014 model years; 1,778,128 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V054000)
  • GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR (1994–1996 model years; 1,755,876 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2003; 03V159000)

All 80 Chevrolet Tahoe recall campaigns · Chevrolet Tahoe problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
  • Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
  • The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.

Chevrolet Tahoe years FAQ

Which Chevrolet Tahoe year has the fewest complaints?

Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (57). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.

Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?

Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.

Are there Chevrolet Tahoe years to avoid?

No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2015 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.

What is the most common Chevrolet Tahoe problem?

Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (1,359 of 5,707 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Tahoe have?

NHTSA lists 80 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Tahoe. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Tahoe recall page.

Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?

Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Data sources

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.