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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 104 safety complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe with the US government. Of those, 6 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 20 complaints, 19% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 42,000 miles, the median across the 38 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

104 complaints on file

104

Complaints

6

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

5

People injured

1

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26 · 25%
ENGINE 20 · 19%
POWER TRAIN 20 · 19%
SERVICE BRAKES 16 · 15%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13 · 13%
STEERING 11 · 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 · 7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 · 3%
STRUCTURE 3 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 3%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 104.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 19.

20 15 10 5
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Chevrolet TAHOE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV 4WD SUV RWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 22.2% 22.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

20V603000 · October 1, 2020

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 LLC · up to 14,620 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

19V761000 · October 24, 2019

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 LLC · up to 652,967 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

19V645000 · September 6, 2019

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 LLC · up to 3,456,719 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 death · crash · 50,000 miles

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 complaint 11316508. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash

We were in a severe car accident and our airbags did not deploy in our vehicle. We were going about 45 miles an hour and had windshield cracking and severe, severe damage to our vehicle. This was a front side, head on impact.

NHTSA complaint 11744939. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · crash · towed

I had an accident in this vehicle where the airbags deployed upon impact (as they were designed). However, once airbags deployed, my vehicle was filled with smoke (from the airbags) and all of my windows were covered and I couldn't see out. Panic set in as I tried to get out of the vehicle and my door would not open. After several moments I thought about the door locks, they were engaged of course. Once I realized and hit unlock, the door opened. This isn't an issue as far as parts being a defect or anything like that, but today I heard of a Texas DPS Trooper being in an accident in his Tahoe. His took a front impact as well, and the person trying to help him couldn't get him out of the

NHTSA complaint 11552973, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash

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 complaint 11490509. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

139,000 miles

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 complaint 11766439. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
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 complaint 11760315. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

TIRES
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.

NHTSA complaint 11754056, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
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

NHTSA complaint 11753184, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
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

NHTSA complaint 11751098, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 complaint 11749000. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Tahoe

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 26 3 —
2025 49 1 —
2024 67 3 —
2023 222 5 —
2022 189 4 —
2021 453 16 —
2020 57 3 —
2019 106 2 —
2017 173 4 —
2016 256 8 —
2015 658 14 1
2014 90 3 1
2013 232 4 —
2012 178 3 —
2011 446 5 —
2010 314 3 —

Other 2018 Chevrolet models

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst