2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine, lane departure modular and the brake master cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine, lane departure modular and the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the lane departure module was in back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,026.

NHTSA ID

11737018

Incident

Jan 31, 2026

Mileage

78,026 mi

I was driving home after dropping my kids off at school and when I was almost home my dash lit up with the traction control light, check engine light, ABS light, red break light, service ESC message, forward collision system unavailable message and break system failure 62 MPH top speed ( was switching between 43 MPH top speed and 62 MPH top speed ), I went to slow down and I had no brakes at all. The pedal sunk to the floor with zero resistance no matter how many times I pushed it. I live on a dead end road and thank god I had already crossed the major highway before my road because it would have been an incredibly bad accident. I finally got it to switch into neutral to stop and into park where I sat with my foot on the brake in park until someone could come out to me. I called my local dealership whom had it towed to them. My vehicle is a 2021 Tahoe with 23,014 miles at the exact moment this happened. The dealership said it was the master cylinder/brake module which is not covered under the power train warranty I still have. This is a major safety issue and it seems it is not isolated due to a simple google showing reports on other forums of other newer chevy/gms in different models have this same issue with brakes going out while driving.

NHTSA ID

11736321

Incident

May 6, 2026

While driving on I-90 in Montana on a clear, sunny day at the posted speed limit of 80 miles per hour for one hour, the vehicle began making knocking noises then, all of a sudden lost power. Upon inspection at the nearest GM dealership service department in Butte, MT, I was told something within the engine broke. I have attached an emailed repair bid from the GM service department and have copied and pasted the highlights here: -Engine, Lines, Radiator, Water Pump, and Tune up ($14,400.00) -Cam, Lifters, Lines, Radiator, Water Pump, and Tune Up ($11,400.00) -Master Cylinder/EBCM ($3,310.00) Previous to the incident, all recommended and routine maintenance was performed at intervals recommended by GM and by GM dealership service departments and/or the Valvoline Oil Change location in Missoula, Montana. The odometer reading was between 95,000 and 96,000 miles at the time of incident.

NHTSA ID

11710051

Incident

Jan 3, 2026

• What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering column lock system malfunctioned, triggering a “Service Steering Column Lock” alert. This failure caused a sudden loss of steering control. The vehicle and components remain available for inspection upon request. In addition, the incident appears to have caused damage to the trailer harness wiring. • How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The malfunction placed my safety and the safety of others at significant risk. When the alert appeared, I lost steering control of the vehicle and nearly collided, which could have resulted in a serious accident. • Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem has not yet been reproduced or formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. • Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. However, I am prepared to make it available for immediate inspection. • Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. A “Service Steering Column Lock” message appeared at the time of the incident, immediately prior to the sudden loss of steering control and the resulting issue with the trailer harness wiring.

NHTSA ID

11681129

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

We are apart of the safety recall with the potential brake and engine issues, we have contacted the dealership and they have NO remedy at the current time for our defective vehicle. We contacted GM to request a buy-back due to the safety issues with the vehicle, told we did not qualify BUT they have no remedy for our defective truck. We do not fell safe in the vehicle, the brakes are sticking and the engine is making weird noises. We are currently seeking legal representation because we are being forced to drive around our family of 5 in an unsafe vehicle with NO remedy or option to trade it in.

NHTSA ID

11678146

Incident

May 1, 2025

I have had the break pads and rotors replaced and in the shot over 6 times with them still not fully functioning correctly. I finally gave up on them and still expected to pay again. I don’t feel like this car is safe and have had nothing but issues

NHTSA ID

11674328

Incident

Jul 17, 2025

On a few occasions the emergency / parking brake auto releases when parked on a slight incline while the engine is running and transmission is in park.

NHTSA ID

11641747

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact noticed a grinding sound and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the brake master cylinder had been replaced two times since October 2024 and needed to be replaced a third time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was provided a monetary discount towards the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

NHTSA ID

11638886

Incident

Oct 31, 2024

Mileage

35,000 mi

Vehicle brake module system failed after being replaced one week ago. All of my systems system lights are coming on on my dashboard. I cannot drive past 62 mph. This is the second time that this has happened under a month after vehicle being serviced at a GM dealership.

NHTSA ID

11628045

Incident

Nov 30, 2024

While my wife was driving her car going down a slope, Her brake pedal fell to the floor loosing brakes and would not return to normal position for a few minutes. I took the vehicle into the dealership over two weeks ago and they have not been able to re-create the situation that took place while my wife was driving the car and still have not returned the vehicle. My concern is that my wife will not feel comfortable driving the car with our toddler and new born if there is no actual repair.

NHTSA ID

11619665

Incident

Sep 30, 2024

I was driving with family (2 adults - including myself, and 5 kids - ages [XXX] ) The truck started to flash warnings and my brakes disabled. We couldn't stop and almost had an accident. I kept pumping the brakes and the E break I didn't give it any gas and we slowly came to a stop after some time. I shut the truck off as I was beyond terrified and tried to start it back up. The lights came on but it didn't turn over to start. Had to have it towed and find an uber for a 7 passenger car. The truck was towed to the nearest dealer (a little over an hour from my home) and I was told it was a battery issue. They replaced the battery didn't check the breaks and told me if the battery dies the breaks stop working. Yet, I had power in the truck just no brakes, when I tried to turn it on the lights went on as did the radio but that was it. I tried to take pictures of the warnings on the dash however we were in Mom panic mode. Chevy is acting as if this isn't an issue. I had to put out over $1,100 between the battery, the fees of the dealership, rental and an uber. If we were going at a higher speed we would have not been okay. It was beyond dangerous and the thought that if a battery suddenly dies you have no breaks, that is just unacceptable. I would love for someone to look into this. I am now looking to see what I can do as I don't feel safe in the truck. I don't want this to happen to anyone else hence why I am asking for someone to please look into this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11605858

Incident

Jul 30, 2024

While traveling on the highway at 65 mph the car comes to a complete stop with no brakes applies. No engine light present nor were the emergency braking lights on. This is the 4th occurance.

NHTSA ID

11577871

Incident

Mar 17, 2024

I purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe SSV (Police Model) and have been hearing a high pitch squeal noise at low speeds while I’m breaking. The vehicle started making the noise since mile 50. I took my vehicle to the dealership on 03/14/2022 for this complaint (vehicle had 10,860 miles at that time). Parkway Chevrolet informed me that Chevrolet had authorized a one time replacement of the rotors and break pads as a courtesy but the noise would come back and there was nothing they could do to fix the problem. The service advisor at Parkway Chevrolet further advised me that the braking system on my vehicle was meant for stopping power and not luxury. The squeal noise started back before I was able to drive the vehicle back to my house. Within the last couple of weeks my vehicle started making a rubbing noise along with the high pitch squeal so I took the vehicle to Buckalew Chevrolet and they have informed me that the vehicle needs new break pads at 35,000 miles. While I was at the dealership they looked up the service history of my vehicle and informed me that Parkway Chevrolet only turned the front rotors on 3/14/22 and the braking system was never actually replaced. I was wondering if my vehicle could be considered as part of the recall that was issued under Bulletin # 22-NA-165 that was issued in May 2023. Thank you for your consideration.

NHTSA ID

11566573

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Driving the car and brake system failure. Esc failure and front collision failure almost hit a car. Truck speed warning no faster then 62 miles per hour

NHTSA ID

11540958

Incident

Aug 26, 2023

I started my vehicle and I pulled it out of my garage. Whenever I went to push the brakes down before pulling out of my driveway, it seemed like the brake pedal was higher than it usually is because my shoe caught the edge of the peddle due to where I am used to feeling the top end of it to decompress it. sometimes I contribute that that to the type of footwear that I have on but I was wearing the same shoes I had worn driving the vehicle only 1 hour ago. I was not sure why that was but I kept pulling out of the driveway (maybe something was stuck to the bottom of my shoe?) I continued to pull out and drove up my road to the next intersection where there were vehicles in front and behind me at that point. As I approached the intersection, slowing down to 25ish mph, I decompressed my brake peddle and all sorts of messages about brake failure started to appear in my control center and the peddle went all the way to the floor without fully stopping the vehicle. It seemed to be able to slow the vehicle down but very so slightly. Luckily, the people ahead of me continued to drive forward and the road was going uphill so the vehicle slowed on its own due to the terrain, at which time, I advised my daughter who was in the backseat to hold on that I needed to put the car in Park while we were still moving slightly. We were slowed to about 2mph and I put the car in Park. I looked down at the brake peddle and there was a fliud that had leaked out on top my all weather floor mats (non absorbent). Luckily, we were not involved in a collision but it was only due to the terrain and the fact the people in front of me continued to drive forward. Otherwise, we would have hit them from behind.

NHTSA ID

11522796

Incident

May 18, 2023

Brakes squeal a lot. Had to pay close to 2k dollars for repairs because dealer refused to warranty

NHTSA ID

11503600

Incident

Apr 1, 2022

GM decided to use Brembo brand brake pads and rotors on the front of the newly redesigned 2021 PPV Tahoe. I have 16 of these vehicles in my fleet at the Sheriff’s Office and everyone one of them squeals really loudly when the brakes are applied. I now have one Tahoe out of service due to the fact it needs pads and rotors on all four corners. The main concern is there are no rotors available anywhere for these units.

NHTSA ID

11498053

Incident

Dec 19, 2022

Brakes fail a low speed, less than 10 MPH. Happen three times. First time there was an accident. I have a dash cam. I had to place the Tahoe into park to get it to stop. Was at dealership for bent push rods for 15 day. I ask them to check the brakes. I guess there were to busy and never checked them (Nucar Chevrolet). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFjiqRWFXuE

NHTSA ID

11452857

Incident

Jul 9, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE PRE COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT ACTIVATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A STEEL TRANSFORMER. DURING THE CRASH THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIBS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH WAS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.

NHTSA ID

11372952

Incident

Oct 14, 2020

Mileage

3,400 mi