2021 Chevrolet Tahoe FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
I was stranded and had to have my vehicle towed after the fuel pump control module failed.
Vehicle has 10,800 miles. The vehicle repeatedly failed to start. Towed to GM dealership. They say the fuel pump has failed. They say it is not covered (beccause my VIN isn't within the recalls that already exist for this exact same problem). The cost is over $1,200. I contacted Chevy corporate and they offered to cover 30%. The dealership is still awaiting the part(s) with no provided delivery date. This could have caused a serious MV accident if it had failed while driving. The vehicle gave no warning of this failure.
Engine would not start. When pressing the start button, engine would turn over but would only rough idle for a few moments then turn off. Called garage and had vehicle towed. Mechanic advised computer showed defective fuel pump power control module. Mechanic advised GM has recall N212332040 for defective fuel pump power control module but my VIN is not included. Mechanic ordered fuel pump power control module from GM and replaced on my vehicle. This corrected the problem. I am requesting my VIN to be added to the recall and GM to pay for the part, labor and towing.
Engine began to stall while driving or would not restart after parking. Happened one time while driving on highway [XXX]. Towed to dealer. Same fuel pump issue as recall N212332040 however that build date window closed March 4 2021 and my Tahoe was built in June 2021. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other vehicles of my year and make were recalled. My car was manufactured 8/14/21. I was driving on 6/12/24 and my Car died. I had power. I had fuel but fuel was not getting to the engine. It turns out it was the fuel pump control module that many others were recalled. This could have been a very unsafe situation for me as it died in a traffic lane during morning rush hour. It would not start back up for me. My dealer diagnosed it very quickly and is repairing it in 2 days time. Had I been on the freeway, someone would have rearended me. My car has 22,000 miles on it.
When turning left in cross traffic, the truck stalled. It would crank and try to run, but not start as it wasn't getting any gas. The gas tank was full at the time. The failure was very similar to when I was stranded with the fuel issue in 2021 a couple of months before the recall for the fuel pump failure was issued (NTSA # 21V739000). Fortunately, it did start momentarily so that I could get out of oncoming traffic so that I wasn't t-boned. I was able to get it home, but it failed multiple times in the 8 mile trip back to the house. We will not drive this vehicle as it is unsafe to drive and now we are left to tow the vehicle to the closest dealership which is 50+ miles away. It seems this part only works a few years and then fails.
I was parked with engine on idling and the engine shut off. Tried to restart and it started shaking very rough idle, I turned off and tried to restart it would not start, I tried again and it started shaking again and shut off but the displays stayed on in the car. I called the Chevy dealer and had it towed to them. They ran diagnostics and confirmed it was an internal short inside fuel pump driver control module. They replaced and tested functional now. This is the second time they have replaced this part. The first time was last year driving when the engine decelerated and shut off. This is a safety issue and could be hazardous. My concern is this will happen again and I could be put in a very dangerous situation. I saw a bulletin issued for my vehicle with the same type of issue but my vehicle was not recalled to address Product Safety Recall N212332040 Stall While Driving Copyright 2021 General Motors. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 4 Release Date: October 2021 I am not sure if this is the same part or another issue.
Service engine light came on, took it to Chevrolet dealership (2 months outside warranty). They found p2459 for regeneration frequency, performed necessary dpf regeneration procedure and was successful in completing and regeneration event, applied smoke to exhaust system for testing purposes and found large exhaust leak at rear tail pipe connection necessary to install new graphite seal and clamp. Also, found coolant leak at rear of engine on passenger side, upon further inspection found egr cooler coolant hose's actively leaking. necessary to replace hose's at this time. They do not want to release the vehicle back to us for “safety” reasons, while a part has been back ordered for 6 weeks. Doing some research, it appears there has been a trend of issues with the exhaust tail pipe, which is excluded also from extended warranty. I’m surprised, given the frequency of this on a newer vehicle that it has not yet been recalled. The coolant hose is a different issue, but likewise surprised it is not recalled.
Several times over the last month, or so, my 2021 Tahoe has hesitated to accelerate while driving. On 7/31/2024 the vehicle was in park, turned on when the vehicle began idling VERY hard, shaking the entire vehicle. The engine was turned off and restarted approximately 10min later. I began driving when the vehicle began shaking, the engine light came on, and the engine then turned OFF while in drive, actively driving down the road (with my child in the vehicle). I coasted into a parking lot and attempted to restart the engine several times, without luck. After sitting for approximately 45min the engine restarted, and I was able to get home. The engine stopped and restarted several more times that evening, without issue. The engine light turned off. The following day the vehicle ran without issue, no engine light on. We took the Tahoe to Total Performance Repair shop where they ran a diagnostic scan of warning light history. The diagnostic scan came back with codes P023F and P129F; fuel pump issues. There is currently a recall for fuel pump module failure on some 2021 Chevy Tahoe vehicles. My specific vehicle is not included in the recall but is experiencing the recalled issues.
My car suddenly stopped while driving on the highway , no warning signs I had to be towed . My car in now at the Chevy dealership, was told was " fuel system issue"
My wife was driving our vehicle and had (fortunately) just turned onto our quiet street. As she was heading towards our driveway, the car turned off. We couldn’t figure out the issue. After paying for a tow to Sterling Chevrolet in Mount Pleasant, SC, we learned that the fuel pump system had died. This was at 36,071 miles (71 miles over our warranty). We were then told that there had not been a safety recall on the fuel system for our 2021 Tahoe z71. It wasn’t until later that we learned there HAD been a recall and I’m not sure how to handle this. The recall occurred before we took possession of the vehicle (8 months before), thus we were never notified. Per the maintenance records, the fuel system had never been repaired nor was a part replaced on this vehicle. Thus, I believe our vehicle would roll up under this recall and we should be reimbursed for the repair expense.
In September 2024, our vehicle was unable to be start with engine light on. We were unable to get the car into drive or neutral. We were forced to pay out of pocket to have the car towed to dealer, which it needed to be dragged onto the tow truck. Upon inspection at the dealership we were told it was the fuel pump control module that failed and needed to be replaced. They searched recalls and found none on our vehicle but did comment they are replacing these a lot on same type of vehicle. The part was out of stock & backordered likely due to multiple issues, and took 2 weeks to arrive. Reviewing online many have experienced same issue while driving, luckily, we were not. There is an open recall on this part for many models of the same year and time, but for one reason or another our vehicle is not part of that recall #21V739000 / GM #N212332040. The replacement was covered under warranty but does not cover the tow of almost $300.
The vehicle stalled without warning, while driving. After taking it to the dealership they said it’s the Fuel Pump Power Control Module. After further research I see this has been under recall, however, my vin doesn’t show a recall for this.
The vehicle stalled without warning, while driving. After taking it to the dealership they said it’s the Fuel Pump Power Control Module. After further research I see this has been under recall, however, my vin doesn’t show a recall for this.
While sitting at a stop sign the vehicle began to stall. I was able to drive 50 feet and it died in the road. The Tahoe is not getting fuel to start. Starter continues to try and engage upon start but the vehicle never engage. The fuel pump drive module seems to be an issue. I can't get the car out of park to have it towed to the Chevrolet dealership. This is consistent with other Tahoe recall vehicles having the same issue.
Fuel Pump Module malfunctioned while driving, causing vehicle to shut down in middle of street. Very alarming when car died while driving, fortunately was not driving at a high speed or on a busy street/highway and was able to move to an exit lane without incident since no shoulder on street, did cause quite a traffic jam (very stressful). Vehicle was towed to dealership after could not be jumped started. Dealership confirmed faulty fuel pump module. Currently at dealership & will be for a while due to part backlog. Received no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to this incident.
See BBB complaint #18695782 filed 1/6/2023. See NHTSA ID# 11500111
My Tahoe was running fine and then when I shut it off and returned 30 minutes later it would not start. I had it towed to a nearby dealership and I was told that several similar incidents have happened with my make and model where the fuel pump control module went bad. A technician replaced the module while it was in the tow truck so it could be unloaded and it started up. I was told that GM is aware of the issue and I have not heard about it and believe there should be a recall to replace these faulty modules.
Fuel pump control module diagnosed by the Chevrolet dealer in Iowa City, IA (Billion Chevy). We were on the interstate when the vehicle decelerated rapidly while passing a semi tractor trailer. I was able to control the vehicle and move to the right lane after the semi trailer went by and other cars moved back quickly. No warning light until the incident.
FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILURE. ENGINE DIED AT A STOP LIGHT AND WOULD NOT RESTART. UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO TOW OR REMOVE FROM HAZARDOUS ROADWAY. PART ON NATIONAL BACKORDER.
without warning the engine shut off and lost power while driving. the engine light came on. i was able to pull over to the side of the road. I'm glad I wasn't at interstate speeds, that would of been bad. It was like i ran out of fuel. it was the fuel pump power control module according to the dealership.
Car stalled while driving on the highway, no warning, car became unresponsive and we almost had an accident attempting to move car off the highway. This was an extreme safety risk. Car was dead, unable to start. Towed car to dealership, told it was the fuel control module that was not working. Found out this was a known issue for 2021 Tahoe, no recall was issued for my vehicle, no one notified or warned me of the risk.
Recently, while idling in parking space the vehicle stalled and engine and fuel lights came on. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer, and the diagnosis was a failure of the fuel pump control module. The vehicle has less than 10,500 miles. The dealer stated that over the last four days, two other vehicles were brought in for the same issue.
First fuel system failure occurred at ~3500 miles. Pulled out of driveway, shifted into drive and vehicle stalled and would not restart. Fuel pump replaced first then fuel module replaced resolving issue. Now at 12,100, vehicle again shut down at a major intersection and would not start. Vehicle has been towed to dealership. The vehicle failure mechanism locks the car in park and leaves all electronics powered on. Fortunately I was able to get the front wheels strait during one sputtering start attempt so it could be DRAGGED straight onto the tow truck. Able to power off radio and ac buT no other electronics would shutdown, dash display, resulting in total battery drain. Can only lock drivers door with key so vehicle is outside dealer service center on a weekend unlocked. This the second failure of the same component. This abrupt failure creates a completely unsafe situation leaving you stranded unable to move. This vehicle is an expensive failure and based on a second recurrence, the related electronic component issue has not been resolved. First occurrence Chevrolet provided a free year of OnStar due to me not feeling safe with this vehicle. Now just after this expired, the same failure has occurred. Buy this vehicle back from me Chevrolet at my purchase price. First occurrence took 3 hrs for a tow truck to pick up the car which was fortunately in middle of my street. This current failure was 2.5 hrs stuck at a stop sign in the middle of a major intersection. Thank God I was not on the interstate.
INTERMITNLY STALLS WHEN DRIVING at dealer now being addressed no warning light before issue happened three times now starting in April
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Quick Summary
The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe has 51 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.