Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact noticed a grinding sound and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake master cylinder failure. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the brake master cylinder had been replaced two times since October 2024 and needed to be replaced a third time. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was provided a monetary discount towards the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed engine, lane departure modular and the brake master cylinder. The contact was informed that the engine, lane departure modular and the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the lane departure module was in back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,026.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the message "Service ESC" was displayed, and the check engine, traction control, and Forward Collision Avoidance warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle started shaking and then lost power. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, parked, and then turned off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Brakes fail a low speed, less than 10 MPH. Happen three times. First time there was an accident. I have a dash cam. I had to place the Tahoe into park to get it to stop. Was at dealership for bent push rods for 15 day. I ask them to check the brakes. I guess there were to busy and never checked them (Nucar Chevrolet). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFjiqRWFXuE
I purchased a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe SSV (Police Model) and have been hearing a high pitch squeal noise at low speeds while I'm breaking. The vehicle started making the noise since mile 50. I took my vehicle to the dealership on 03/14/2022 for this complaint (vehicle had 10,860 miles at that time). Parkway Chevrolet informed me that Chevrolet had authorized a one time replacement of the rotors and break pads as a courtesy but the noise would come back and there was nothing they could do to fix the problem. The service advisor at Parkway Chevrolet further advised me that the braking system on my vehicle was meant for stopping power and not luxury. The squeal noise started back before I was able to drive the vehicle back to my house. …
I was driving with family (2 adults - including myself, and 5 kids - ages [redacted] ) The truck started to flash warnings and my brakes disabled. We couldn't stop and almost had an accident. I kept pumping the brakes and the E break I didn't give it any gas and we slowly came to a stop after some time. I shut the truck off as I was beyond terrified and tried to start it back up. The lights came on but it didn't turn over to start. Had to have it towed and find an uber for a 7 passenger car. The truck was towed to the nearest dealer (a little over an hour from my home) and I was told it was a battery issue. They replaced the battery didn't check the breaks and told me if the battery dies the breaks stop working. Yet, I had power in the truck just no brakes, when I tried to turn it on the lights went on as did the radio but that was it. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering column lock system malfunctioned, triggering a "Service Steering Column Lock" alert. This failure caused a sudden loss of steering control. The vehicle and components remain available for inspection upon request. In addition, the incident appears to have caused damage to the trailer harness wiring. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The malfunction placed my safety and the safety of others at significant risk. When the alert appeared, I lost steering control of the vehicle and nearly collided, which could have resulted in a serious accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem has not yet been reproduced or formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. …
I was driving home after dropping my kids off at school and when I was almost home my dash lit up with the traction control light, check engine light, ABS light, red break light, service ESC message, forward collision system unavailable message and break system failure 62 MPH top speed ( was switching between 43 MPH top speed and 62 MPH top speed ), I went to slow down and I had no brakes at all. The pedal sunk to the floor with zero resistance no matter how many times I pushed it. I live on a dead end road and thank god I had already crossed the major highway before my road because it would have been an incredibly bad accident. I finally got it to switch into neutral to stop and into park where I sat with my foot on the brake in park until someone could come out to me. I called my local dealership whom had it towed to them. …
While driving on I-90 in Montana on a clear, sunny day at the posted speed limit of 80 miles per hour for one hour, the vehicle began making knocking noises then, all of a sudden lost power. Upon inspection at the nearest GM dealership service department in Butte, MT, I was told something within the engine broke. I have attached an emailed repair bid from the GM service department and have copied and pasted the highlights here: -Engine, Lines, Radiator, Water Pump, and Tune up ($14,400.00) -Cam, Lifters, Lines, Radiator, Water Pump, and Tune Up ($11,400.00) -Master Cylinder/EBCM ($3,310.00) Previous to the incident, all recommended and routine maintenance was performed at intervals recommended by GM and by GM dealership service departments and/or the Valvoline Oil Change location in Missoula, Montana. The odometer reading was between 95,000 and 96,000 miles at the time of incident.
There are thousands of people across social media and internet websites with the same exact problem they are having with 2021 chevy tahoe. There has also been multiple recalls for the same problem but seems it was not issued for all the vehicles that has this default. The Brake service light first came on the dash along with service esc, max speed limited to 43, service brake monitor system. It was taken to multiple shops for a diagnostic including Jim Hudson Chevy and all of them said how this is an ongoing issue with 2021 tahoes. No one knows the exact problem or cause. The dealership said it's probably the brake control module, because that's what the issue was all of the other times they had this occur.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.
Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021.
Brake complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 5% of the model year's 459 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › master cylinder (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-579 (software, Jul 29, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.