RoadVitals

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
104
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 1, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
5 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 104 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,271 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V603000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Oct 1, 2020
14,620 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
The risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number N202300860View on NHTSA.gov
19V761000

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

Oct 24, 2019
652,967 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number N192261050View on NHTSA.gov
19V645000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Sep 6, 2019
3,456,719 units potentially affected
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
The risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number N192268490View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 104
Visibility
Filed Sep 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary, there was an abnormal explosion and the rear glass exploded in the rear of the vehicle. The contact believed that the glass had exploded without impact. The contact reached out to a window company and stated that similar vehicles had the same issue. The failure mileage was 139,000.

NHTSA ID
11766439
Incident
Sep 23, 2026
Mileage
139,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 28, 2026

05/15/23 - AFM Lifter failure - Complete Top End Rebuild under extended warranty purchased when i bought the Tahoe - Preowned certified. Cost $2,000.00 Out Of Pocket ( Days Chevrolet Repaired 86,350 miles) 09/06/23 - Transmission failed - Warranty paid except $2,000.00 (94,000 Miles) 02/02/26 - Broken Driver Side Motor Mount Replaced $350.00 (159,000 Miles) 02/28/26 - Rear end Failure 03/20/26 - AFM Lifter Failure Again - Been in the shop since then. No warranty/ Pay out of Pocket (160,010 Miles)

NHTSA ID
11760315
Incident
May 15, 2023
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2026

Vehicle was driven the day before the incident occurred. The morning of the incident, the vehicle was parked, off and not running. A notification sent to my phone indicating a critical battery low 11.1V reading. Vehicle would not start. Vehicles battery and alternator charging system was tested and passed. All systems are good. Vehicle continues to give critical low voltage over night while the vehicle is off and not running.

NHTSA ID
11757607
Incident
Aug 16, 2026
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 31, 2026

LT275 65 R18 123/120 R DOT 1 BE BP AT 21 My daughter has pictures of the tires, all four tires (all bought at the same time) 05/6/23 from Discount Tire, are splitting along the side wall, originating at the tread line, we have talked with Discount tire, there are 40,000 miles approximately on the tires. They have been appropriately rotated and balanced. There have been no repairs of the tires. This is noted to be a defect, not normal wear and tear of the tire, per Discount Tire. They have offered 423.00 credit to purchase new, and have come back with 50% off new tires. Since this is a defect, verse actual wear and tear I do not believe that is appropriate. 75-100% of the replacement value. The tires should reasonably last between 5-6 years. The defect increases the risk of a blow out on any one or several of the tires. Discount Tire in Lubbock has confirmed that there is an issue, but I am not happy with their resolution.

NHTSA ID
11754056
Incident
Jul 31, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 27, 2026

Out of nowhere without any warning light all of a sudden couldn’t back up when geared into reverse to reverse. Turned the vehicle off and back on, then was able to reverse. Left parking lot and was on the road and vehicle started loosing speed, then put into park with hazard lights. When attempting to get off the road for safety reasons tried putting into drive and the car then drove in reverse. Local Fire department came and called in the local police dept for assistance and pushed vehicle off to the side and tow company came and took to the auto shop with information today of the transmission going out, and with that causing happening causing the Fluid to Smell Burnt and Full. The auto shop test Drove and made It 30 Feet and Would Not Move. Transmission Is Failing and Causing the Concern.

NHTSA ID
11753184
Incident
Jul 18, 2026
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2026

EVERYTIME IT RAINS REALLY HARD, MY DRIVERS SIDE B PILLAR WHERE THE HANDLE AND SEAT BELT IS, IS SOAK AND WET FROM A LEAK. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD MY SUNROOF CHECKED, MY WINDSHIELD CHECKED AND DRAIN TUBES CHECKED. THERE IS NEVER ANY WATER OR WETNESS ON THE FLOOR, ITS ONLY THE HEADLINER. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATING IF THERE ARE OTHER TAHOES DOING THE SAME AND YES THERE ARE AND 1 HAD WENT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WELDS WERE NOT WELDED CORRECTLY, WHICH CAUSES WATER TO GET INTO THE ROOF. THIS CAN CAUSE MOLD AND EVENTUALLY OTHER ISSUES. IT HAS STAINED MY HEADLINER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE A BODY SHOP FIX THIS KIND OF REPAIR AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOR AS MUCH MONEY AS I HAVE PAID FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE VERY YOUNG GRANDKIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE AND ONE HAS VERY BAD ALLERGIES AGAINST MOLD. AND IT IS NOT FAIR THAT I EVENTUALLY WILL HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED BECAUSE IT WILL ALSO CAUSE RUST. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ID
11751098
Incident
Jul 8, 2026
Filed Jul 8, 2026

WHEN IT RAINS REALLY HARD, THE ROOF IN THE B PILLAR LEAKS ABOVE THE SEAT BELT AREA INTO THE HEADLINER. MY HUSBAND WHO IS AN AUTOBODY TECHNICIAN HAS MADE SURE MY SUNROOF LINES ARE CLEAR AND THE WINDSHIELD MOLDINGS AND SEALS ARE GOOD. HE HAD ANOTHER ONE AT HIS PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS THE ROOF WELDS, WHICH ARE DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. I AM HEARING MORE AND MORE TAHOE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. AS MUCH AS THESE VEHICLES COSTS US, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THIS CAUSES MOLD IN THE ROOF AND RUSTING. THIS HAS TO BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR IF I NEED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND COULD ALSO CAUSE HEALTH ISSUES IF NOT ADDRESSED WITH THE MOLD.

NHTSA ID
11749000
Incident
Jul 7, 2026
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2026
Crash reported

Unexpected acceleration

NHTSA ID
11747971
Incident
Jun 15, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP4902W

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5509N

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT5099J

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

PIT5509M

This PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.

PIT6247B

This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Tahoe by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026263158.6
2025481155.5
2024673461.7
20232205465.0
20221874464.7
202145316568.0
2020553059.8
20191052055.8
2018Viewing1043056.4
20171734053.7
20162568159.9
201565814157.5
2014903150.4
20132324150.4
20121783153.8
20114465152.4
20103144254.5
20092845152.8
20085284457.6
20071,1774560.5
20061144048.5
20052937052.3
20044675051.1
20035077358.3
20024496564.7
20015128665.8
200028210665.2
19995523562.2
19982634259.0
19974102456.2
19962835764.1
19952468864.8
1994192356.8
1993802—
1992602—
1991300—
1989000—
1988100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.