73 complaints reported

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
73
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The message "Loss of Oil Pressure" was displayed, and the vehicle made an abnormally loud banging sound. The contact was able to continue driving at slow speeds with the hazard lights engaged. The contact drove to the dealer, where he was employed. The dealer diagnosed that the engine lifters had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the Chevrolet dealer, where it was diagnosed that the lifters had failed. The dealer provided an estimated fee for the repair. The vehicle was towed to Redline Performance LLC, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shavings in the oil pump, camshaft, and in other unknown parts, along with the lifters failure. The mechanic replaced the lifters, the connecting rod, the camshaft, the oil pump, and other unknown parts; however, the failure recurred after picking up and driving the vehicle to the residence. Additionally, there was smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to Stan McNabb Chevrolet Columbia (101 S James Campbell Blvd, Columbia, TN 38401), who informed the contact that the vehicle would not be diagnosed by the dealer. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2025
Dec 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on several occasions, there was a banging sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam lifters needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred two weeks later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,400.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Apr 2024
Dec 2024

The failed component was reported to be the Coolant Surge Tank. This component cracked and begin to leak engine coolant causing the vehicle to overheat and become undrivable. This failure also lead the inoperability of the heating system inside the cabin of the vehicle. The failure of this component is widespread knowledge in the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon ownership community. In some cases dealerships are purposely marking up the cost of replacement components due to the scarcity caused by this failure and production issue within GM. The only symptoms of this issue were overheating and inoperable cabin heater. No warning lights or messages were displayed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Oct 2024
May 2024

Third time engine only cranks and will not start. I was forced to disconnect the battery and reconnect after a short while to get the vehicle to start.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2024
Jan 2024

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized in park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2024
Oct 2023

I bought the vehicle (a Chevy Tahoe) brand new in 2021. After 7,000 miles the lifter in the motor broke. The top of the motor had to be rebuilt to accommodate a new lifter. Now, with 24,000 miles on the vehicle, another lifter just broke, so the motor has to be taken apart again. I am certain GM knows about this problem, as (the lifter issue) it is all over the internet, but GM will not issue a recall of the defective lifters. I would be very interested in joining a class action law suit to force GM to recall the defective (lifter) parts. In both instances when the lifters broke, there is no warning! The engine looses power and the vehicle "bucks and shakes". It is just a matter of time before this issues causes sever bodily harm because of this massive engine failure. I have all of the repair documentation.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jul 2023
Aug 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2023
Aug 2023

Wife was driving home from work, vehicle started with no issues and she did not notice anything abnormal as she started her commute home, roughly 20 minute commute. She noticed the vehicle was vibrating, mildly at first and progressively getting worse. When she came to a stop at red light, she noticed the vibrating was worse at idle. She did not note any warning or cautions, she contacted me, i advised her to attempt to make it home. Once the light turned green, she accelerated and noticed the vehicle smoking, she pulled over into a parking lot, parked and shut it off. By this time all the warning in vehicle were flashing, battery and oil pressure gauges were fluctuating, check engine light was flashing, traction control, and other adaptive sensors i.e. blind spot, HUD where signals were displayed as off or not functioning. I was able to drive the vehicle to .4 miles to the dealership service center where we purchased the vehicle from in 2021 brand new off the lot. This occurred on 6 September 2023, still awaiting final diagnostic from from service department. They think its the lifter on the engine that failed, but they have disassemble engine to make exact determination. Once I receive diagnostic/invoice details I can provide that, luckily vehicle is still under warranty.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2023
Jul 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle shuddered. The vehicle had been taken to a dealer on two separate occasions where the check engine warning light was reset; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2023
May 2023

I was driving down the highway and my car simply stopped moving, pressed on the gas and nothing. Had it towed and the dealership said it was the fuel pump power control module which there was a recall on but I never received it. I was in a very dangerous situation and I am not happy.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2023
Jan 2023

My truck is a2021 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and my motor knocking real loud I was told it’s a problem with the lifters My car is not old enough to habe lifter problems It started knocking a year ago I was told change the oil but I always change my oil on time now it’s way louder than a year ago

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Sep 2023
Nov 2022

GM has been building V8 engines with a known defect that is bending push rods and damaging lifters. These newer engines use a DFM system and that system is compounding this engine defect. GM has refused to replace all the lifters and is going forward with just fixing engines as they blow up which can happen at any time. The 5.3 and 6.2 engines are a ticking time bomb and can leave you without engine power at any given time when a lifter fails or a push rod gets bent. Hopefully the NHTSA will look into this issue and force GM into a recall.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2020
Jul 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the contact was made aware of a cylinder #3 misfire which caused the lifters to fail. The contact stated that the lifters on the driver’s side and the gaskets, bolts, and rods were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacture was not contacted or notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,786.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Dec 2021
Jul 2022

Experienced a collapsed lifter on my 2021 Chevy Tahoe at 18,000 miles,also had a bent push rod, all whiling 40 mph. This is my second time having this issue. There is a problematic design with the active fuel management system. The frequency this is occurring is unacceptable. I also had the same issue on another GM truck at 120k miles which costs 6,000 dollars to repair.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2022
Jun 2022

The lifters failed at 18,000 miles stranded on the side of the road with 3 kids for hours. Only one side is apparently being replaced, leaving me just waiting for the other to go out. I was assured by the dealership that it would happen just would be a matter of when

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2022
Apr 2022 Fire

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied caught fire without warning. The contact noticed there was smoke and flames emerging from the vehicle, and it burnt to the ground. There were no reported injuries. The contact's belongings purse and wallet were destroyed in the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but, no further assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to a salvage investigation lot by the insurance company. The approximate failure mileage 10,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jan 2022
Nov 2021

I have has this vehicle for just over a year, and in the time i have accumulated 8,600 miles. Suddenly, yesterday after normal I stopped for a red light. The start/stop function came on (normally) and then all of a sudden the vehicle restarted it self, but, it started running rough, and misfiring. when i moved it backfired several time. I had to have the car flat bedded to the dealer, and apparently it has a known issue, with the lifters and the push rods. The dealer stated it will take a while to get the parts. h as 5 others in the shop for the same problem. My comment is, I am lucky this happened at a stop, I think this would be a major issue if this was to happened at 65 MPH ? You could end up in an accident while you deal with the issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
Nov 2021

Valve lifter damaged. Caused poor engine performance and lack of acceleration. Vehicle at dealer, who is very aware of this issue with GM V8 engines. Replacement parts on multi-week back-order. Check engine and other warning lights appear, as well as audible noises from engine compartment. Symptoms appeared on 10/8/21. 9,000 on vehicle

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Jul 2021

The engine started knocking and running rough. My wife pulled the car over. She could tell from the sound it was not a minor issue. We had the 2021 Tahoe toed to Vaden Chevrolet in Beaufort, SC, where we purchased the vehicle. The dealer confirmed it was an engine problem. 8 lifters along with other associated parts need to be replace. This is a major engine repair. The vehicle is 8 months old and has approximately 10,000 miles on it. Doing internet search, the failure of engine lifters in Tahoes and Silverados appears to be a known problem. The service department manager told me that they have already done 10 of these this year. Failure of an engine while driving is a major safety issue. The vehicle is in for repair, now.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Nov 2021
May 2021

On my way to work a few days ago I noticed a lag while driving and a knocking feeling/sound ever few seconds going highway speeds. No engine light came on to warn or tell of an issue. I thought maybe it was just a section of roadway that makes cars ride rough. Anyway, made it to work and I could hear a whining sound every time I gave vehicle gas and RPMs increased. We called our GM dealer and he said it’s a known issue of collapsing lifters and to bring it in for repair. Vehicle had around 5900 miles. 20% oil life was left. I checked oil and level was fine. I’m in a loaner now waiting for repair. If it’s a known issue, why is it happening. Inferior parts or bad design? A recall needs to happen before someone gets hurt.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: May 2021
May 2021

ON APRIL 3, 2021 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00PM, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA (ON A TRIP FROM MARYLAND TO FLORIDA) WITH MY FAMILY OF 5 (TWO ADULTS AND 3 YOUNG CHILDREN, INCLUDING MY INFANT SON) OUT OF NOWHERE MY BRAND NEW TAHOE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ENGINE STARTING POPPING AND SPUTTERING AS IF IT WERE GOING TO GIVE OUT COMPLETELY. THIS OCCURRED ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY, WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS SURROUNDED BY MANY OTHER VEHICLES DRIVING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED. IT WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION AND I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT THE NEAREST SAFE LOCATION, WHICH WAS A WENDY'S RESTAURANT. AT THE TIME THAT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT OCCURRED, MY BRAND NEW 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE RST, WHICH I HAD OWNED FOR LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, HAD ONLY 5334 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED ONSTAR AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO ISSUES DETECTED AND THAT I SHOULD "TAKE IT EASY" AND CONTINUE DRIVING. THE ENGINE CONTINUED SHAKING AND SPUTTERING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN STOPPED. WE WENT TO ATLANTA TO MEET WITH FAMILY AND PARKED THE CAR. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR, IT BEGAN SHAKING AND SPUTTERING AGAIN LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO BLOW AND THE ELECTRIC PANEL ON THE CAR DISPLAYED A NUMBER OF ERRORS. I CONTACTED ONSTAR AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS ENGINE TROUBLE AND I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER. I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN MY CAR BACK. I HAVE INITIATED A LEMON CLAIM WITH GM BUT THEY HAVE SAID THERE'S A BACKLOG AND HAVE NO ETA ON WHEN THIS ISSUE IS TO BE RESOLVED. MEANWHILE, MY FAMILY IS OUT OF A VEHICLE AND I AM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE FOR AN $80,000 BRAND NEW CAR THAT I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AND THAT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS I'VE SEEN OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES ON THE INTERNET. PLEASE HELP.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Mar 2021
Mar 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light flashing. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 14,170.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Aug 2021
Dec 2020

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 32207, (904) 398-3036) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A NEW VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,700.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 CHEVROLET TAHOE, Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Incident: Jun 2020

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe has 73 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.