Chevrolet Tahoe transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
358 of the 1,703 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Tahoe 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2021 (88), 2017 (53), 2016 (47). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Tahoe transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 12% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 10% | — | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 7 | 10% | — | 51 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 45 | 20% | — | 108 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 38 | 20% | — | 131 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 88 | 19% | 62k | 183 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2020 | 14 | 25% | — | 111 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 38 | 36% | — | 121 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2018 | 20 | 19% | — | 152 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 53 | 31% | 100k | 157 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 | 47 | 18% | 60k | 210 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 24 · 2022: 20 · 2023: 27 · 2024: 53 · 2025: 113 · 2026: 98
Across the model years, half of the 75 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 26,000 and 97,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to start the vehicle several times, however the vehicle failed to start.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. In addition, while attempting to shift the into drive, the gear shifter failed to respond as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted.
I have a 2017 Chevy Tahoe with 77,000 miles on it. I will have it 4 years Labor Day Weekend. I get all the regular service and oil changes on it in a timely fashion. Last week I was driving my daughter to a friends house and there was a tapping sound. The car did not sound right. Suddenly the engine light illuminated and was blinking.
My wife was driving on the interstate through birmingham, al and my 2017 chevy Tahoe lt lost power. The transmission had one instance of a hard shift during highway driving, then just failed. She was luckily able to make it to the side of the interstate safely, tried to shift it into drive and the car rolled backwards.
I first noticed the vehicle did not want to go a couple times after being at a red light. Acted as if it was in neutral and then would abruptly shift. Check engine light was on. Have just over 83,000 miles on it and was very good at getting it maintenanced.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- May 7, 2026 · 66 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- 26V085000 CriticalFeb 13, 2026 · 43,743 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
- 24V797000 CriticalOct 24, 2024 · 463,295 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- 22V036000 HighJan 27, 2022 · 1,789 vehicles
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Tahoe
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Chevrolet Tahoe problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Tahoe years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2021, 88; 2017, 53; 2016, 47. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (36%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Chevrolet Tahoe?
Yes — 4 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V289000 (2026), 26V085000 (2022), 24V797000 (2021), 22V036000 (2021). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Chevrolet Tahoe?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 26,000 and 97,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.