2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems and Complaints

Senior Editor,

Updated on August 6, 2024

The three-row large SUV market has lost its lucrative edge to its midsize counterparts. Yet, giants in the industry have continued to offer their seasoned options in the market to capture a diminishing chunk of buyers. The Chevrolet Tahoe is the outcome of a similar ideology and with a revamped 2021 iteration, the SUV now is into its fifth generation. It sports a cavernous build and is powered by a brawny V8 engine, which makes it a jaunty option. While its quality of materials is not the best, the Tahoe gains ascendancy in the market with its versatility. It is offered with an optional Duramax Diesel engine and is also available in a long-wheelbase version, known as the Chevrolet Suburban.

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe changes include minor revisions to its optional packages and standard feature list. In its latest generation, the SUV continues to compete with the likes of the Ford Expedition, the Nissan Armada, and the Toyota Sequoia. However, its reliability quotient seems to have dropped. It has had several niggles and complaints and has been recalled excessively by the brand. So, do Chevy Tahoe’s problems cause it to lose its revered status in the market? Let’s find out.

2022 Chevrolet Tahoe User Complaints and Problems

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe is not the most dependable option available in the segment today. Yet, its performance cannot be termed unsatisfactory. It has four complaints to its name, which are a carryover from the outgoing iteration. However, since the introduction of the fifth generation, the SUV has become more prone to problems. While a part of the reason could be attributed to the complexities in its electric system, the problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe are widespread and concerning. Listed below are the most common complaints made by the buyers on the NHTSA website and unofficial forums, and their implications on the ownership experience.

Safety Complaints

Safety Restraint System malfunction: Across the 2022 and 2021 models and even in the dying embers of the fourth generation, buyers of the SUV have been troubled by the safety restraint system malfunction. Complainants have reported the malfunction message to continuously display on the information screen. While there is no known cause, the errors in the safety restraint system can affect the functioning of the airbags and the seat belt pretensioners.
Non-deployment of airbags: A prominent issue in the previous generation of the SUV relates to the non-deployment of the airbags. Several buyers have reported the inability of the airbags to deploy even in high-intensity crashes, which has caused an injury to the passengers. While no such case has been recorded in the current generation as of the date we write this article, the malfunctioning of the safety restraint system can be a possible cause of recurrence in the 2022 and 2021 MYs.

Mechanical Complaints

Stalling of engine: The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems are widespread and concerning. In several cases, buyers have reported the vehicle to stall without any prior symptoms. Where a diagnosis of the issue has been done, damaged lifters and bent pushrods have been attributed as the reason for the failure.
Hindered drivability: In a couple of units of the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, buyers have reported the SUV to lurch forward violently. While there have been no cases reported in the fifth generation, the possibility of recurrence of the issue cannot be eliminated.
Loss of power steering assist: The loss of the power steering assist functionality is an issue specific to the 2018 and 2019 MYs of the SUV. Complainants have reported a complete failure of the power steering, which restricts the driver’s control over the vehicle and can increase the risk of a crash. While the latest generation of the SUV has remained devoid of the issue, Chevrolet has initiated a recall in 2021 for a similar problem, referenced by NHTSA ID 21V455000

Structural Complaints

Explosion of the sunroof: A common problem of the previous and current generation of the Chevy Tahoe is concerned with its build quality. Complainants have reported the sunroof to explode without any impact or incidence. While the cases have been reported most about the sunroof, in some cases, buyers have also reported the shattering of the rear window glass.

Electric System Complaints:

Blank infotainment screen: The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe infotainment problems are neither rampant nor officially listed. Through unofficial forums, a couple of buyers have reported the infotainment screen to go blank without any warning. While there is no reason known for the problem, we expect an error in the software of the system to be the root cause of the issue.

When compared to the Chevrolet Tahoe, competitors from brands like Ford and Nissan deliver scot-free performances. On the other hand, Toyota, which is revered for its Japanese standards of reliability, has one complaint against its name.

Category	Number of Complaints
Powertrain	12
Airbags	7
Structure	7
Miscellaneous	20

2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls

The issues with Chevy Tahoe are widespread. However, the American brand has been proactive in dealing with the recurring problems. In 2021 itself, Chevrolet introduced a mind-numbing 11 recalls for its Tahoe SUV. While it does reflect on the brand’s commitment, a large number of recalls might not be in the best interest of the brand. Nonetheless, the SUV’s recalls deal with mechanical niggles, electric complaints, and also some safety concerns. Listed below are all the recalls started by the brand over the past few years.

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks
1.	27th Jan 2022	22V036000	Failure of the rear-wheel-drive shaft assembly	Due to improper heat treatment of some internal components, the rear driveshaft assemblies might fail. Consequently, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, which can increase the risk of a crash.
2.	23rd Sept 2021	21V739000	Possible fuel pump failure	The power control module might cause the fuel pump to fail, which can interrupt the flow of the fuel to the engine. As a result, the vehicle might stall inadvertently, increasing the risk of a crash.
3.	29th July 2021	21V579000	Incorrect brake system calibration	Due to improper calibration of the brake system, the overall braking performance of the SUV might be affected.
4.	17th June 2021	21V555000	Failure of power steering assist	Due to an issue with the software, the power steering might fail at startup or while driving.
5.	3rd June 2021	21V421000	Airbag light malfunction	Due to an error in the software of the gateway communications module, the airbag malfunction warning light might stay illuminated.
6.	25th Mar 2021	21V210000	The seat belt latch may be trapped	The second-row center seat belt latch may be trapped beneath the trim bezel, which makes it inaccessible.
7.	18th Mar 2021	21V190000	Damaged seat belts	The third-row seat belts may have been improperly routed, which can result in damaged seat belts.
8.	25th Feb 2021	21V115000	Failure of the tire	Due to over-curing, the Continental tires installed in the SUV might suffer from a fracture to the sidewall, which can lead to a sudden air loss. This recall is concerned with 2020 models of the Tahoe only.
9.	11th Feb 2021	21V064000	The fuel tank may leak	The fuel tank may not have proper adhesive between the layers, which can result in a leak.
10.	23rd Dec 2020	20V811000	Incorrect bolts used to attach seat belts	Due to the use of incorrect bolts in fastening locations, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
11.	17th Dec 2020	20V792000	Front seat belts may not be secured	The seat belt bracket may not be secured to the seat frames in the front-row center seating position.
12.	1st Oct 2020	20V603000	Vacuum pump failure	The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, affecting the braking capabilities.
13.	25th Nov 2020	20V735000	Front seat bolts may be incorrectly placed	The front seat bolts may not be properly reattached, which can increase the risk of an injury in case of a crash.,
14.	21st Nov 2019	19V637000	No pressure regulator in the fuel pump	The fuel pump may have a missing pressure regulator, which can cause the over-pressurization of the fuel system.
15.	24th Oct 2019	19V761000	Unintentional braking	Due to an error in the software, the driveline-protection system might activate
16.	6th Sept 2019	19V645000	Vacuum pump failure	The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, affecting the braking capabilities.

Compared to the Chevy Tahoe, the performance of the 2022 Ford Expedition and the 2022 Nissan Armada can be considered competitive. However, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, has already been recalled twice. These recalls of the Sequoia are concerned with its power steering system, which might be at risk of failure due to a possible oil leak.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe model year should you avoid?

The Chevrolet Tahoe resonates with practicality and usability. It is an apt family hauler and doubles up as a daily driver as well, despite its overwhelming dimensions. However, the only downside to the SUV, especially in its latest generation, is its volume of complaints and questionable reliability standards. Of the available model years, the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe is the one to avoid. It has 49 complaints and 11 recalls to its name, which is more than any other iteration. Though it does mark the debut of an entirely new generation, Tahoe’s performance in 2021 can be considered inferior.

Should you buy a used Chevrolet Tahoe?

If you are in the market looking for a potent three-row large SUV, the options seem restricted. Yet, the Chevrolet Tahoe fails to outshine its limited competitors. While it is a pragmatic proposition that nails the brief of versatility, the Tahoe scores lower than all of its competitors when safety and reliability are concerned. It fails to score cent-percent ratings in the crash tests conducted by the NHTSA, which coupled with its recurring complaints fails to paint an inch-perfect picture for the SUV. So, while buying a new or used Chevy Tahoe, we would recommend looking out for other American and Japanese options before finalizing a decision.