Is the 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE reliable?

The 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE has 587 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE?

Top problems: ENGINE (163 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (109 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (77 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE?

Yes, there are 16 recall(s): STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELTS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, SEATS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE, SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT, SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE?

The 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE is approximately $1,809/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Chevrolet TAHOE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE has 587 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 253. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: brand new 2021 tahoe 1367 miles catastrophically lost power without notice while in a busy intersection with mother and son. onstar emergency services did not work. unable to place car in neutral to move out of busy intersection. police called, vehicle towed. could not start, jumping not successful. There are 16 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 10 crash reports 12 injuries

587

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

2.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

163 complaints

28%

• BRAND NEW 2021 TAHOE 1367 MILES CATASTROPHICALLY LOST POWER WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MOTHER AND SON. ONSTAR EMERGENCY SERVICES DID NOT WORK. UNABLE TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE OUT OF BUSY INTERSECTION. POLICE CALLED, VEHICLE TOWED. COULD NOT START, JUMPING NOT SUCCESSFUL
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM ONSTAR THAT THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BEAVER CHEVROLET (3494 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL
• MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR NEW TAHOE (5,101 MILES) DOWN A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND HIT GAS TO PROCEED INTO A TURN AND ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF. SHE WAS ABLE TO GLIDE TO A STOP IN FRONT OF A HOUSE, BUT IS TERRIFIED WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IF SHE WAS TRAVELING FAR FROM HOME OR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“BRAND NEW 2021 TAHOE 1367 MILES CATASTROPHICALLY LOST POWER WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MOTHER AND SON. ONSTAR EMERGENCY SERVICES DID NOT WORK. UNABLE TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE OUT OF BUSY INTERSECTION. POLICE CALLED, VEHICLE TOWED. COULD NOT START, JUMPING NOT SUCCESSFUL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE

Based on 128 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 40K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Later than typicalmedian 38K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 59K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 58K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (16)

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE17/06/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,429/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Chevrolet TAHOE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,809

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1809

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet TAHOE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2021 TAHOE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 587 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: BRAND NEW 2021 TAHOE 1367 MILES CATASTROPHICALLY LOST POWER WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MOTHER AND SON. ONSTAR EMERGENCY SERVICES DID NOT WORK. UNABLE TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE OUT OF BUSY INTERSECTION. POLICE CALLED, VEHICLE TOWED. COULD NOT START, JUMPING NOT SUCCESSFUL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA CHEVROLET SAGINAW (4200 BAY RD, SAGINAW, MI 48603) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFOR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: BRAND NEW 2021 TAHOE 1367 MILES CATASTROPHICALLY LOST POWER WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE IN A BUSY INTERSECTION WITH MOTHER AND SON. ONSTAR EMERGENCY SERVICES DID NOT WORK. UNABLE TO PLACE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE OUT OF BUSY INTERSECTION. POLICE CALLED, VEHICLE TOWED. COULD NOT START, JUMPING NOT SUCCESSFUL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: BRAND NEW VEHICLE BOUGHT TWO WEEKS AGO. I AM GETTING A SERVICE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM MESSAGE INTERMITTENTLY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 16 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)