Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have had my Tahoe in the the dealer several times. Where to begin. We have had middle seat latches catch and need to be replaced, the front dash and radio bubbled up and peeled...that was replaced. A component in the steering column was replaced when the car would just up and die everytime you turned left. That was replaced. The back window latch broke while on vacation. It too was replaced. All the seat/seatbelt recalls were repaired. Then on 5/18/03 our power steering went out without any warning. They replaced it on 5/19/03 at the dealer. We took it back in on 5/30 with the complaint of it still not "feeling" right. It was hard to turn to the left. They found no problem. Then on 7/13/03 while driving with a car full of boys, then the car died and started on fire. …
I have a 2001 Chevy Tahoe. I purchased the vehicle 2 years. For the year I have heard a clicking noise and a knocking noise when I turn and then the noise starting getting louder. Four months ago I was pulling out of my drive way and the noise turned into a scratching sound. I parked the vehicle for 2 days took it to dealer ship and they said nothing was wrong with it. Well little did I know that nothing turned into the rear end gear differential going completely out. Now I am with out a vehicle. This is while I have my 4 children in the vehicle with me on our way to the doctors office. I broke down on the side of the road. Could not go forward what so ever. Every time I would put it into drive it would make this horrible loud noise. I am not sure if I should contact the manufacturer or what. Can some one tell me anything if it has happened to you and how much it coast to be fixed. …
I have a 2001 Tahoe that has been relatively problem-free. Recently, the transmission went out on it without warning. My wife was driving on the highway, heard a pop that sounded like a flat tire. She pulled off to inspect the car, but did not see anything visibly wrong. Turns out, she had no reverse, and could barely reach 50 MPH, so I am guessing she was missing some gears. She was lucky enough to be able to get if off of the highway, and from there I had it towed to the dealer. "something exploded in my transmission" were the mechanics words. I wondered how something could just "explode" in the transmission without warning, so I went searching the internet. Turns out alot of people have seen this related to sun-shell failure. TSB 00822b/00822c, NHTSA item number 10005474.
Defects: ABS light on at 43,600 miles. When car is turned off a loud noise is heard beneath the drivers side of the vehicle my independent mechanic said the ABS unit is purging. At 20 miles and regularly there after, when the fog light power button is pressed, the rear window wiper briefly makes noise as if it had been activated. At 3000 miles and regularly there after , all four doors squeak at the hinges and must be lubricated weekly. At 10,600 miles the rear differential began to leak. Both driver and passenger seat squeak and do not firmly lock into position. The driver and front passenger seats do not lock into position. The parking brake has not worked since I purchased the vehicle.
Immediately after application of the anti-loch brakes at low speeds in 2 wheel high mode, the vehicle seems to "lock up" the wheels as if it were in 4 wheel drive. We get severe wheel hop and when we stop the vehicle, then restart it there is a very loud clunking sound. After that the vehicle preforms normally. The problem also goes away if the vehicle is turned off. The vehicle goes into 4 wheel auto, 4 wheel low and 2 wheel high normally at all other times. Again, the problem only happens when the antilock brakes are activated at low speeds (no problem from high speed stops) and it has happened twice in the past 5 minths.
The shift lever arm on the automatic transmission had rusted sufficiently that the shift cable connection slipped off the nipple on the shift lever arm. It appears to be a snap fit without any positive retention. It was then not possible to shift gears or re-start the engine. Luckily this happened in my own driveway just after I had driven home on the freeway. The repair shop replaced the lever arm and the complete cable assembly. I have the defective parts.
Mileage-60813. 1. Service engine light come on, engine has lack of power on take off. Took vehicle to north jackson Chevrolet for service, dealer reports rodents have eaten through wires going to transmission, transmission not recieving siginal, repaired wires from fuse box, replace inigtion switch cost $634.00. After 600 miles same problems reoccures 6/16/2003, unable to get to vechicle. Will carry vehicle back today for for additional repair.
Why does the manual state that one can pull up to 8700lbs. If the Tahoe can barely handle 3500lbs? The springs have been replaced twice the manifold is cracked the fuel pump went out, the universal joint is going out, the transfer case is leaking and has only been used twice in 3 years, and has already been repaired once last year, the steering pump is going out, these are only the problems I can think of.
Dt*: the contact stated without warning the vehicle slipped between 2nd and 3rd gear. The next day upon entering the vehicle, none of the forward gears worked. The vehicle was reversed out of the parking lot and towed to an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined the front planetary drive snapped because a bearing broke loose. The transmission needs to be rebuilt.
Power train:transmission, would not go into reverse, have to have transmission rebuilt. This was without any noise or failure prior to this happening. Thankful I was not driving with my kids when the transmission locked up. I had just had this serviced in March of 2004. Without any warning this happend, and now I am faced with a 2000.00 repair bill.
Transmission complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, 5% of the model year's 512 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.