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 that stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied caught fire without warning. The contact noticed there was smoke and flames emerging from the vehicle, and it burnt to the ground. There were no reported injuries. The contact's belongings purse and wallet were destroyed in the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but, no further assistance was provided. The vehicle was towed to a salvage investigation lot by the insurance company. The approximate failure mileage 10,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance message was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where a computer module was replaced. While driving at various speeds, there was an intermittent knocking sound coming from the engine, with the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the knocking sound became constant. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, and upon inspection, the mechanic discovered a bent engine rod inside the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 40 MPH, the "Service Stabili-trak Soon" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine and the contact's husband pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that after the vehicle was restarted, the failure persisted. The contact's husband pulled into a gas station and called an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised the contact's husband to safely drive the vehicle home and to then take the vehicle to his shop the next day for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that cylinders #1 and #7 were not functioning as needed. The contact was then informed that the engine lifters needed to be repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to slow down to approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact believed that the sound was caused by ice buildup on the mud flap, but shortly afterwards, the engine revved unexpectedly, with the check engine warning light illuminated, and the message "Reduce Acceleration - Drive with Care" was displayed. The vehicle started to coast unintendedly. The contact stated the vehicle returned to normal operation after a short while. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanics pushed the vehicle out of the parking spot before inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission valve body failure. The contact was informed that the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the cylinder #1 left side lifters and push rod had collapsed. The lifters and push rod assembly were replaced. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that cylinder #4 lifters had detached, and the push rod was bent. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving out of the driveway and driving approximately 20 MPH, the driver became aware of an abnormal flapping sound that became louder as the vehicle accelerated. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was driving approximately 60-65 MPH on another occasion, the check engine warning light illuminated. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where a mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a misfire in cylinder #8. The mechanic determined that both sides of the engine lifters, the gaskets, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed an abnormal ticking sound. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #7. The independent mechanic checked the spark plugs and other unknown parts for failure; however, there was no evidence of a failure. The contact was informed of a valve lifter failure. The contact was informed that the valve lifter and possibly the push rods and camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: N212353840; however, the VIN was not included. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact owned a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle slowed to approximately 10 MPH with black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine connecting rods had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The contact's husband owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and experienced a loss of drive power. A message to turn on the vehicle was displayed. The contact's husband coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the engine had seized and the crankshaft had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine made knocking sounds. The message "Service Transmission" was displayed. The contact's husband pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart immediately. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the camshaft retainer, valve tensioner kit, gaskets, seals, lifters, engine bolts, rods, and pipes; however, the "Service Transmission" message displayed again while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 89,678.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the…
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM's full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274.
Engine complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 185 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, 40% of the model year's 459 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.