2020 Chevrolet TAHOE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Chevrolet TAHOE has 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: stopped at a traffic light my power steering warning light on the dash came on. after that i had no power steering, and the vehicle is very difficult to steer. i drove back to my location turn the vehicle off and who won out about an hour later started and the power steering was working. upon looki.

4 crash reports 14 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

11 complaints

18%

• Stopped at a traffic light my power steering warning light on the dash came on. After that I had no power steering, and the vehicle is very difficult to steer. I drove back to my location turn the vehicle off and who won out about an hour later started and the power steering was working. Upon looki
• Auxiliary battery exploded while vehicle was in operation. Explosion caused damage to front driver side headlight, hood insulation, windshield washer reservoir, terminal covers and battery. See attached images. Later learned of GM service bulletin (19-NA-099) regarding overheating of relay causing m
• The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the service trailer brake system warning light illuminated intermittently. The recurrence of the warning light being illuminated had increased mostly while driving at highway speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Stopped at a traffic light my power steering warning light on the dash came on. After that I had no power steering, and the vehicle is very difficult to steer. I drove back to my location turn the vehicle off and who won out about an hour later started and the power steering was working. Upon looki”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

10 complaints

16%

• STRONG SMELL TO FUMES WHEN TURNING ON AC OR VENT SYSTEM.
• I was driving with my kids on the expressway about 55mph , when all of a sudden the truck went to 30's mph stayed on the 1st gear and did not want to go further from there, and another vehicle almost struck me from the back but was able to swerve me the check engine light also popped out of nowhere
• I was at a red light and when I tried to take off the RPMs reeved up and my car would not move so I turned it off, opened and shut my door, restarted my car and it would move 100yds if that, then the RPMs shot up again (acted like it couldn’t shift out of first gear). Car has 101,647 miles, was serv

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“STRONG SMELL TO FUMES WHEN TURNING ON AC OR VENT SYSTEM.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

10 complaints

16%

• The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving upwards of 80 MPH, the vehicle would violently shake without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
• While driving making left and right turns a clicking noise was noticed. Vehicle also felt like it was engaged in 4wd when making turns on loose pavement by skipping, vehicle confirmed to be in 2wd mode. Vehicle has less than 10,000 miles. Dealership was able to determine that the noise was coming f
• High pitched whine between 2nd and 3rd gear, dealership states fluid and filter full of metal shavings transmission needed replaced

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving upwards of 80 MPH, the vehicle would violently shake without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

6 complaints

10%

• MY NEW 2020 TAHOE HAS AUTO/POWER PEDAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT. IT ALLOWS BOTH PEDALS IN UNISON TO BE LOWERED OR RAISED FOR COMFORT AND DEXTERITY OF USE. THE HEIGHT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL IS EXTREME. THERE IS A INHERENT DANGER OF HITTING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL PRIOR TO GETTING ONES
• Both front rotors are flaking off in large chunks only on the inside. 35,500 miles . Outside smooth as butter. I don't know if it's a factory issue with the rotors,factory Brembo calipers or both . I included pictures.
• My 2020 Tahoe stabilitrak has gone off approximately 5 times over the past 2 months April and May of 2025 in one incident my vehicle did turn off all incidents were at low speeds less than 5 MPH. Four of the incidents the stabilitrak light turned on and an audible beep, I also lost power to my stee

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY NEW 2020 TAHOE HAS AUTO/POWER PEDAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT. IT ALLOWS BOTH PEDALS IN UNISON TO BE LOWERED OR RAISED FOR COMFORT AND DEXTERITY OF USE. THE HEIGHT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL IS EXTREME. THERE IS A INHERENT DANGER OF HITTING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL PRIOR TO GETTING ONES”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

6 complaints

10%

• TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEY RENTED A 2020 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP TO MAKE A U-TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD CRASHING INTO A WALL ON A DRIVEWAY OF A HOME NEARBY. THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE
• Stopped at a traffic light my power steering warning light on the dash came on. After that I had no power steering, and the vehicle is very difficult to steer. I drove back to my location turn the vehicle off and who won out about an hour later started and the power steering was working. Upon looki
• My engine light keeps coming on randomly. When this occurs, the dashboard lights blinks and I get a " steering assist" error message. Once this happens it is really hard for me to steer AND I lose acceleration as well. Imagine losing acceleration in the middle of an intersection. Also, I noticed my

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT STATED THEY RENTED A 2020 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP TO MAKE A U-TURN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD CRASHING INTO A WALL ON A DRIVEWAY OF A HOME NEARBY. THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 61 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: Stopped at a traffic light my power steering warning light on the dash came on. After that I had no power steering, and the vehicle is very difficult to steer. I drove back to my location turn the vehicle off and who won out about an hour later started and the power steering was working. Upon looki
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: STRONG SMELL TO FUMES WHEN TURNING ON AC OR VENT SYSTEM.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving upwards of 80 MPH, the vehicle would violently shake without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: MY NEW 2020 TAHOE HAS AUTO/POWER PEDAL HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT. IT ALLOWS BOTH PEDALS IN UNISON TO BE LOWERED OR RAISED FOR COMFORT AND DEXTERITY OF USE. THE HEIGHT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL IS EXTREME. THERE IS A INHERENT DANGER OF HITTING THE SIDE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL PRIOR TO GETTING ONES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)