2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the brake pedal had to be depressed very hard to start the vehicle. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake vacuum pump was not operating correctly and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to a Special Coverage Adjustment: N182202780 (Brake Assist Decreased Due to Vacuum Loss); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11689128

Incident

Jun 15, 2025

Mileage

72,000 mi

The Body Control Module does not work. A new BCM was installed in my car in April 2025. Since then I am having multiple issues, but the safety related issue is with the trailer braking system. It is available for inspection upon request. The dealership is unwilling to try another BCM without it costing me $600 for labor. If I am unable to use my brakes, then I put myself and others on the road at risk. The problem started with a Tire Monitor System. I was told I needed a BCM to fix the problem so the car would not throw codes. Now, I am being told the problems with the brakes are not comiing from the BCM. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY car until I took it to this dealership for a new key faub and a tire pressure monitor error. The Body Control Module in a 2018 Chevy Tahoe Premier does play a role in controlling the sunroof. More specifically, the sunroof system is supplied power through a fuse located in the driver-side fuse box which is connected to the BCM. The sunroof switches communicate with the BCM via a serial data circuit, and the BCM then commands the sunroof to open or close. Therefore, the BCM acts a central hub in the electrical system of the vehicle and communicates with the sunroof control module to operate it. I learned this from two other dealerships. One dealership in West Virginia and another dealership in Texas told me this information about the BCM controlling the sunroof and many other electrical parts of the 2018 Chevy Tahoe Premier. To make it simple, the BCM was replaced. The vehicle is now having serious issues. I consider an unintended activation of the braking on the wheel which causes the vehicle to pull to one side puts me at risk of a crash. Is this yet another failed sensor or part due to the negligence of the service department at Smith Buick when replacing the BCM and programming a key faub?

NHTSA ID

11673393

Incident

Apr 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed with the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,104.

NHTSA ID

11612532

Incident

Sep 4, 2024

Mileage

92,104 mi

Brakes failed pedal went to the floor when getting off the interstate. Kept pressing pedal and came back but vehicle pulls to the left hard when Brake pedal is also very hard to press. Very unsafe afraid to drive the vehicle. Dealer has recalls for same model vehicle show under my vin . Vehicle is available for inspection at anytime.

NHTSA ID

11606655

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

My vehicle started announcing service trailer brake system when i purchased my vehicle about 5k miles in i took it to the dealer they couldn't find anything wrong now that message started to get worse not only is it a safety concern due to the annoying beeping. Sound on the dashboard indicating something is wrong. It makes me take my eyes off the road it Constantly distracts me every time it goes off. Also, feel every time that message appears. My truck slows down. As well, a safety concern when pulling a trailer. The brake system could fail on the trailer due to trailer brake assist malfunctioning.

NHTSA ID

11568511

Incident

Jan 10, 2019

Caliper became stuck which produced smoke coming from tire. Had the caliper replaced. Then months later my forward collision system activated because a car in front of me stopped abruptly. After the car automatically braked to slow my car down, the brake never released and became stuck and the ABS light came on. Replace the abs sensor and two days later the brake engaged on its own while doing 60 mph on the highway. Now whenever the hill assist, collision warning, or anything else is activated, the brake engages and gets stuck. In addition, at times on the highway my brake will engage on its own.

NHTSA ID

11557661

Incident

Nov 22, 2023

As we are doing a three hour drive our vehicle keeps distracting me from driving. Trailer brake system message pops up in the dash board constantly. Like the whole system electric turns off while driving. Few times it turnoff completely while me still driving my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11538203

Incident

Aug 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while parked on a slight incline and shifting into reverse, the vehicle started driving down the driveway with the brake pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle drove approximately 15-feet in reverse. The contact stated once on a flat service, the vehicle suddenly stopped. During the failure, the message "driving assist" was displayed. The failure had occurred on another occasion. The cause of failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11523433

Incident

May 7, 2023

Mileage

54,000 mi

While driving home, the the FAC, forward automatic crash, indicator light came on, I applied the brakes and watched to my dismay as my vehicle slowed down but would not stop. I applied steady hard pressure until impact with another vehicle in front of me. The FAB, forward automatic braking system never kicked in. I will contact the dealer concerning the above issue.

NHTSA ID

11490509

Incident

Oct 20, 2022

Brake assistance on this vehicle sucks

NHTSA ID

11483966

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

When applying the brakes the SUV will pull hard to the left or at times to the right. I get a screen message that reads " trailer brake system failure". The SUV has never trailed anything. Also dont know if these are tied together but I'm also experiencing a dragging battery during this time. When the trailer brake says failure goes away the battery issue goes away. I've done some research and have found a GM service call "N192261050" which seems to indicate the same issue/concern.

NHTSA ID

11475069

Incident

Jul 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while either reversing or stopping, the brake failed to operate as needed The contact stated that the brakes were skipping. The service brake assist and brake assist warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign number 19V761000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

NHTSA ID

11455483

Incident

Feb 10, 2022

Mileage

84,000 mi

As I drove the 2018 Chevy Tahoo the brakes got really hard to press and would no longer stop. I was finally able to get it to stop and moved off the road. The vehicle was towed to the AutoNation Chevrolet Mesa Dealership (6330 Superstition Springs Blvd. Mesa, AZ 85206). I was told that the vacuum pump seized causing the brake belt to break. I was told by another mechanic that there is a recall on the hydraulic vacuum pump breaking system....... 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. Summary: 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.

NHTSA ID

11430679

Incident

Aug 24, 2021

My vehicle recently has had 2 issues that I have taken in to the Service Shop for 3 times and the problem has not been fixed. My most concerning issue is my brakes. My brakes are doing the exact problem indicated in this article: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/gm-recalls-suvs-and-pickups-for-braking-issue/ When the brakes malfunction, I feel a vibrating brake pedal, feels like my vehicle is not going to stop on time, I hear a ticking noise from the engine and my Brake Assist Service light comes on. The issue continues until I can pull over and restart the vehicle. It is a very uneasy feeling having to drive a vehicle that you do not feel safe in. I called 800 Chevrolet's Customer Service number provided in the article and they are unaware of the recall mentioned in this article. I do not know where to go from here. I just want my vehicle fixed and to feel safe. My 2nd issue is regarding my Adaptive Cruise Control. I've had it in the shop 3 times for this also and they did replace a part but that did not fix this issue. I will be driving down the highway or interstate and out of the blue my alarm starts dinging, the seat vibrates, the cruise control gets kicked off and I get an alert on my dash stating that the Adaptive Cruise Control was disabled. Each time it has happened to me there is nothing around but it immediately starts reducing my speed. If someone were behind me it could cause a crash because of the unexpected speed limit reduction. When you go in to look at recalls on 2018 Chevrolet Tahoes it shoes that there is 3 of them that have been issued, yet my VIN is not included in any of them? What can I do from here? I've called Chevrolet's 800 # and they created a "High Urgency Case" but I have not heard back. Attached are my copies of service records and vehicle summary showing there has never been recalls on my VIN #.

NHTSA ID

11427515

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 40 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle started hesitating. The steering wheel ceased. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing all four tires to be replaced. The contact replaced all four original tires however, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an alignment. The contact stated that the wheels were aligned however, the vehicle but continued to experience the failure. The contact stated she had the vehicle serviced four times but continued to experience the failure. The contact also stated that the low brake fluid warning flashed off and on, even after adding brake fluid to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11423586

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHEN ACCELERATING IT SOUNDS LIKE MY VEHICLE IS STUCK IN BRAKE DEGRADING OR IS MAKING THAT DISTINGUISHING NOISE. MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE OF PARK ASSIST, SIDE DETECTION AND FRONT CAMERA SERVICE. WHEN EXPRESSING MY CONCERN FOR THIS PROBLEM OF THE SOUND THE DEALERSHIP SAID LET'S FIX THE SERVICE ISSUES FIRST AS EVERYTHING IS ELECTRONIC. I HOPE MY VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11339970

Incident

Jun 13, 2020

Mileage

41,500 mi

OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH AFTER THE TRUCK SITS OVER NIGHT. THE VACUUM BLEEDS OUT INDICATING A VACUUM LEAK IN THE SYSTEM. GM AND THE DEALER SAID THIS MODEL AND YEAR NOT COVERED UNDER CURRENT RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11316508

Incident

Sep 11, 2019

Mileage

50,000 mi

SERVICE BRAKE ASSIST MESSAGE ON DASH BOARD. THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAS A RECALL BUT MY VIN# IS NOT SHOWING AN ISSUE THOUGH MY VEHICLE IA HAVING BRAKING PROBLEMS. DEALER SAYS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. WHY NOT MY VEHICLE? IT IS DEFINITELY THE ISSUE UNDER THE 2018 TAHOE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11307711

Incident

Feb 7, 2020

Mileage

38,000 mi

SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON I 95 AND HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND BEGAN ROLLING BACK IN TRAFFIC AND HAD USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR TWICE. CANNOT BELIEVE THAT GM IS ALLOWED TO SALE A VEHICLE THAT THEY NOW HAS SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND IS ALLOWED TO PUT MY FAMILIES LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK OF DEATH.

NHTSA ID

11166370

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

6,300 mi