Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
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 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 after coming to a stop, upon depressing the accelerator, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light illuminated, and the vehicle inadvertently stopped with no vehicles or objects nearby. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance system was deactivated to prevent the failure from recurring. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,500.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and stopped suddenly. The adaptive cruise control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10,000.
It's happened about 10 times since I've owned the car but the dealer can't recreate it so we are out of luck. The vehicle accelerates on its own. Scenario 1...with constant light steady acceleration, it will lurch forward like I've stomped on the accelerator a bit, for about a second then go back to my normal input. Scenario 2, same lurch but this time while coming to a stop at a stop sign WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY. scenario 3...I've been using the adaptive cruise control and had it disengaged by braking, coming to a stop, then parking and turning the vehicle off. Then after getting back in and starting up and slowly pulling forward, the cruise control suddenly and abruptly renegages and attempts to accelerate to the last demanded setpoint. Image this scenario pulling out of a spot at a crowded gas station with pedestrians. …
I drive a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. This occurrence has happened on three separate occasions and each time it was raining outside. The first occurrence, my vehicle was running and parked in the rain after driving approximately 5 miles. While parked my check engine light came on with a series of warnings: service ECS, service traction control, forward collision system unavailable, reduced acceleration drive with care. Two days later it went away. The second occurrence, I was driving in the rain for approximately 22 miles and briefly parked with my vehicle running. I then turned out of a parking lot and began to accelerate to speed up and the check engine light came on along with all the same messages, this time my vehicle acceleration had seized and wouldn't go faster than 30 MPH. …
On [redacted], while driving near Mammoth Mountain, California (Highway [redacted]), the vehicle suffered a sudden, severe engine malfunction. The engine began misfiring violently, accompanied by a loud, mechanical clacking noise, and experienced an immediate loss of propulsion power. This mechanical failure left my family-including young children-completely stranded on the side of a mountain highway in a secluded wilderness area with dropping temperatures (39 F) and active local wildlife Because the vehicle could not safely maintain highway speeds or generate sufficient power, it created an immediate and severe traffic safety hazard, forcing us to secure emergency transport for the vehicle. Which took 4hours for someone to come out to the secluded hwy on a holiday weekend. …
My truck was driving perfect and I went to pull into a parking lot in Arkansas where I live in long story short it started acting funny trying to idle out and then I heard a knocking noise. It happened twice. Then my service ESV light come on next my motor light come on then my auto for a collision system failure light come on. It's on the dash anyway my vehicle is not running around. It has hardly no power and I smell something under the hood from time to time burning it's kinda like an electrical smell. I'm not sure. I'm not a mechanic. I'm a [redacted]. I'm a [redacted]!!! but I have to have a way back back-and-forth to work and I cannot drive this vehicle. …
While traveling on the highway one day, my 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe began warning lights on the dashboard. Shortly after, it running roughly,, and jerking, so I pulled over to investigate. There no visible smoke, so I drove to the nearest auto parts store, where they ran a diagnostic test that returned a code of P0306. I then took vehicle back to the dealership where have always received oil changes and repairs. I have never visited any other dealership, relying on certified GM/Chevrolet dealerships. After inspecting the vehicle, they informed me that the lifters needed replacement advised that it would be best to replace the engine entirely. Upon further research, I discovered that issue has been affecting many people in our area and across the United States. …
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.
Collision Avoidance complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 5% of the model year's 459 complaints. The component named most often is warnings (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, though it has 16 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 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe collision avoidance problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to driver assistance 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.