The Lemon Index2010 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 15 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 17, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 to 22 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Tahoe year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 318 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Tahoe year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 96K miles on the car (202 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 50K–96K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 50K–90K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 4 recalls
- equipment 2010
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1584 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Pontiac/saturn/buick/gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/hummer: vehicle start and stalls after theft…
- Chevrolet/gmc: service trailer brake message with dtc(s) c1115, c1116, c1117, and/or c1118…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedRollover side curtain air bags2015–2017
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Chrome plated interior door handle is peeling and cutting fingers.
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe owner · NHTSA complaint 10339639
More owner reports
Chrome on inside door handle has peeled and is cutting fingers when you open the door.
NHTSA complaint 10533497
There is a crack on my dashboard right above the speedometer.
NHTSA complaint 10533494
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 5.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 17; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Tahoe year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (47%), electrical (20%) and visibility (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe get?
17 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 96,200 miles. The middle report was at 74,200 miles, from 202 complaints.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Tahoe year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works