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Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems by year.

Worst years for transmission complaints per car sold: 2021 (61 complaints), 2017 (46 complaints), 2015 (41 complaints). Fewest since 2010: 2025, 2014, 2011.

Chevrolet Tahoe
Photo shows a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. Kevauto, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.

What owners describe

Hard or jerky shifting13%
Lost power while driving13%
Slipping10%
Transmission replaced10%
Delay or hesitation7%
Stuck in gear or limp mode7%

Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.

Transmission and power train recalls

  • 2022 2026

    The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.

  • 2021 2022

    The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

  • 2021 2024

    The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

  • 2019 2026

    A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

  • 2015 2014

    The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

In owners' words

Purchased vehicle 10/30/2024 with approximately 65,000 miles. 4 months later at 69,100 miles transmission failed and replaced.

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe owner · NHTSA complaint

Rear end makes noise when turning, been flushed based on current bulletin. Still makes noise but not as bad. Now transmission is jerking at multiple gears

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe owner · NHTSA complaint

Quick answers

Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have transmission problems?

By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Chevrolet Tahoe years are 2021, 2017, 2015.

What are common Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems?

Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, lost power while driving, slipping.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have the fewest transmission complaints?

Since 2010, the Chevrolet Tahoe years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2025, 2014, 2011.

See every problem, not just the transmission: Chevrolet Tahoe reliability by year. How we count

Updated

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