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 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH uphill in the mountains, the transmission started slipping, followed by a loud banging sound. The contact stated that later, while fishing, there was an abnormal metallic sound like BBs hitting a tin can coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that previously, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lunged forward, followed by grinding and banging sounds. There was no indication of a fluid leak coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that shortly afterwards, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. No warning lights were illuminated. An unrelated warning light for the oxygen sensor was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where the same assessment was made. The transmission specialist determined that the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and would not accelerate. Additionally, the brakes failed to engage immediately while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred with the gear shifter not shifting into Drive or Reverse. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was forced to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
I have a 2017 Chevy Tahoe with 77,000 miles on it. I will have it 4 years Labor Day Weekend. I get all the regular service and oil changes on it in a timely fashion. Last week I was driving my daughter to a friends house and there was a tapping sound. The car did not sound right. Suddenly the engine light illuminated and was blinking. The car smelled of gas. Thankfully I wasn't too far from home. I had to drive on a highway to get back to my house. I could only go about 30 mph. It was very dangerous. I had my hazards on but people were still beeping at me since I was causing a safety hazard for myself and others. I managed to get home safely and called the dealership. I dropped my car off the next morning since it is not drive-able. The service rep said it was going in as an emergency. After 5 days they finally looked at it. They did not give me a loaner. …
Around 84,429 miles accelerated onto freeway and check engine light on and slow to accelerate. Try getting up to speed on an interstate without response when you slam on the gas. Went to shop, generic 700 code many things, but recommend to stop driving immediately. Continued to be be slow accelerating, changing my driving patterns to where I was not turning left unless with a turn light, or driving out of my way to make right turns ( to go Left). After a week (and calling shops) it had to be looked at and diagnosed. Took to transmission shop, Rebuilt was offered for quicker turn around, they could start ASAP. Their comment was we see a lot of this model and keep enough parts for this Tahoe to start. Also noted when dropped off 2 other models of this generation Tahoe were in the shop. And a GMC Sierra around the same period (assuming same Transmission here). …
The transmission dropped 2 thousand miles over my warranty at 102k miles. I was taking my son to see his surgeon and the car started jerking and making noises in the middle of a busy intersection. We almost got hit several times trying to get it to the side of the road for safety. I had to pay almost $1800 to get it towed home (we were in Peoria about 150 miles from home to see his doctor). There were no indications the transmission was going out and never should have at that mileage. I always do regular maintenance and keep all my receipts. I then paid 6k out of pocket to have it replaced with a better transmission since I learned GM put a bad transmission in the Tahoe I have (I was told I missed the time limit to have it fixed on their dime). Then 6 weeks later a fuel injector and the lifters failed due to the active fuel management. …
About 3 weeks ago my vehicle began shuddering during acceleration only at low speeds, and I had an appointment to regularly scheduled maintenance next week and planned to have the dealer look at it during that appointment. However, 3 days ago, at about 84,479 miles I was merging on to the highway and when I attempted to accelerate to highway speeds the tachometer jumped to 6000 rpm's and became very sluggish when accelerating. It calmed down, but shortly after calming down, the tachometer spiked again to around 4500 rpm's at 70mph, the check engine light came on and the vehicle temporarily stopped responding to any input except to raise the tachometer reading. After shifting into manual and back into automatic the transmission reengaged but would not allow for normal acceleration. …
My wife usually drives the Tahoe for short day to day commuting to and from work and bringing kids to practice, but I needed it for work one day and upon trying to accelerate onto the highway I noticed the transmission had no power when accelerating. I took it to a Chevy dealer and they were unable to diagnose the problem due to it not displaying a check engine light nor were they able to guarantee they would be able to determine the problem if they kept it longer for further inspection. I made an appointment with a shop down the road and after an inspection and test drive, they were able to determine that gears 3 and 6 were shot on the transmission. and that the engine was at 100% load going 55 mph. …
My 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with a 6L80 transmission began experiencing transmission-related drivability issues at approximately 130,000 miles. The vehicle jerked on takeoff, had delayed/slow shifting, produced a whining noise, and later had intermittent shuddering/surging while driving. During service, metallic debris/shavings were found in the transmission fluid. The transmission ultimately required replacement at my expense. I am aware of GM Technical Service Bulletin 20-NA-142, "Shudder/Surging While Driving," which includes 2015-2022 Chevrolet Tahoe models equipped with MYC/MYD transmissions and discusses conditions that may be identified as torque converter shudder. My vehicle's 6L80 transmission corresponds with GM RPO MYC, and the symptoms/repair findings appeared consistent with the bulletin. …
Related recalls
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.
Transmission complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, 30% of the model year's 174 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-289 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), May 7, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
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.