The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Tahoe · 2018

2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index30100 = average car
Complaints32NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold104,153U.S. model year
Per 100K sold31complaints
Year rank#6 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD16 / 22 / 18Regular$3,450
6.2L 8-cylAuto 10-spd4WD14 / 22 / 17Premium$4,550
6.2L 8-cylAuto 10-spdRWD14 / 23 / 17Premium$4,550

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 9,800 and 82,200 miles. Median 42,000, from 38 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Brakes40,80030,100–51,0006
Steering59,00038,000–84,0007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes22%
Electrical19%
Steering16%
Fuel or ev drive system6%
Lights6%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
10560316

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 20V603000 Oct 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Power Assist / Vacuum

    Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.

    Risk. A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.

  • 19V761000 Oct 2019 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Wheel Speed Sensor/Tone Ring

    Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

    Risk. Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

  • 19V645000 Sep 2019 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Power Assist / Vacuum

    Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

    Risk. As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

Manufacturer communications 1273

Chevy filed 1273 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Tahoe SUV RWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆
Chevrolet Tahoe SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2015–2020 Chevy Tahoe, 29.6M views.

TopicVideosViews
Heat, A/C & blend door6807K
Infotainment, battery & electrical5599K
Gauges, lights & wiring2521K
Cooling system2499K
Driveshaft, axles & 4x44390K
Transmission & shifter1217K
No-start: theft light, key & ignition1161K
Steering & suspension1100K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201526724188,342Electrical
2016106109103,306Brakes
2017485198,961Brakes
20183032104,153Brakes
20193132101,189Electrical
2020231988,238Electrical
2021179183106,030Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data