Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
***SAFETY/DANGER*** On April 12th at around 5:30 p.m. my family of five, to include three minor children were returning home from visiting family which live about an hour and a half away and as we're traveling on the freeway at highway speeds, in traffic, our new Tahoe unexpectedly and without warning went into reduced power mode and cut speed down to approximately 35 MPH in active traffic, which out my family and every other car around me in danger and in jeopardy of causing a collision and even worse, a multiple car pile-up as I dodged full speed traffic in front and behind me while traveling at approximately half their speed. I managed to exit the freeway and heard a loud knocking noise from the engine and saw the reduced power mode indicator, all of which had not happened before but again, the Tahoe is relatively new and was just over 5 months and at 8,889 miles at failure. …
On June 12, 2026, while operating my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, I experienced an apparent powertrain or transmission-related issue. At the time, the vehicle was already exhibiting another defect involving the air conditioning system, with the driver's side blowing hot air and the passenger side blowing cold air. While attempting to accelerate and pass another vehicle, the engine RPM suddenly increased to approximately 6,000 RPM. The RPM remained elevated momentarily before gradually decreasing. The vehicle's response was abnormal and inconsistent with normal acceleration. Because I was close to home, I continued driving but remained concerned about the vehicle's operation. Since that incident, the same condition has occurred approximately two to three additional times. The problem is intermittent and does not occur every time I accelerate, making it difficult to predict when it will happen. …
On September 5, 2026, at approximately 7:18 p.m. Pacific Time, a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine and approximately 18,000 miles experienced a sudden catastrophic failure while the engine was running. There were two occupants. A distinct pop was heard. The engine immediately lost power and multiple dashboard warning lights/messages began flashing. Within approximately 20-30 seconds, smoke and an electrical-burning odor were noticed. The vehicle was shut off manually and both occupants exited. Flames were first observed toward the rear of the engine compartment. The fire spread extremely rapidly, and the vehicle was substantially engulfed within approximately two minutes and completely destroyed. The sudden loss of propulsion created a crash risk, and the rapid fire placed both occupants at risk of serious injury or death. …
This 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe has experienced three separate and recurring engine-related failures. The first failure occurred at approximately 41,350 miles and required replacement or repair of the lifters and camshaft. The vehicle remained at the dealership for approximately 15 days. The second failure occurred at approximately 54,619 miles and involved another lifter failure along with traction control problems. The third failure occurred at approximately 65,140 miles. The Check Engine warning light illuminated while the vehicle was being driven, and the vehicle again experienced engine-related problems. The vehicle has now been at the dealership for more than one week, and no repair or permanent solution has been provided. …
The vehicle is making a loud ticking noise which leads me to suspect this car has similar, if not the same issue as the 21-24 recalled L87 6.2 engines. I took it in the first time, they couldn't reproduce the noise but I already have video documented footage over a few days with the sound of knocking/ticking from the motor. After they did an early oil change at the same mileage I brought the vehicle in for diagnosis, the sound completely went away. A few hundred miles later the sound has come back and the engine is knocking at idle. I have another inspection/ appointment this coming week for the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle makes loud noises from the steering column after it has been turned off. It also seems to wander when driving the vehicle and the steering wheel assists cause the wandering within lane. It is very unsafe to drive this vehicle due to these two issues.
My 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 3.0L LZO Duramax with approx. 3,380 miles experienced a sudden and complete engine failure while towing my camper on the interstate at night, in the rain, while traveling alone 375 miles from home. The vehicle lost power, displayed warnings, and became inoperable, forcing me onto the shoulder in unsafe conditions. The engine has been diagnosed as requiring full replacement due to a defective crank end play / thrust bearing, under Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-NA-307. This is a significant safety concern for a new vehicle and could have caused a crash. GM has multiple documented issues with this model year, and the car has also experienced unresolved infotainment defects, as outlined in TSB #PIT6393F. Requesting NHTSA to investigate a potential safety defect.
*Total Engine Destruction from Thrust Bearing Failure (GM Bulletin 25-NA-307) * Yes, failure has been confirmed at Chevy Dealership (Davis Chevrolet Gainesville FL) * Yes, problem has been reproduced at dealership *Only the dealer service department has confirmed failure *No warning lights, thrust bearing failed sending shrapnel into the bell housing torque converter just loud metal clanging noise from bellhousing area knows of the problem but will not recall just handling them at dealerships as they fail *Had this happened in an isolated area it would have left us stranded in the middle of no where * I am awaiting the service order from the dealer in PDF form and can send upon request! *As for now I have a 4 month old $90,000 Tahoe in the shop waiting on an engine!
I was driving up to a border check point and slowed down at the guard shack. Once cleared I released the brake and tried to accelerate. The vehicle shut down completely. I tried to restart it and the check transmission warning came on. The vehicle would not restart. I was blocking the lane at the border check. After a few minutes I was able to start the vehicle and limp over to the shoulder of the freeway. There was no power and loud knocking and squealing from the engine compartment. Engine light came on and several other warning lights that I don't recall. I was in the desert with 3 dogs in an unsafe area for 7 hours until I could get help. Vehicle was towed to the dealership and is currently under diagnosis but so far code P0016 and metal pieces in the oil.
I was driving when I noticed my vehicle lagging and possibly misfiring, and then the "Service Four-Wheel-Drive" warning appeared. I was just down the road from my house, so I pulled into the driveway and put the car in park, but it wouldn't turn off. I realized the parking brake was engaged and wouldn't release either. I was stuck in two-wheel drive and couldn't switch to four-wheel drive, and the emergency brake wouldn't disengage when I pressed the button, so the vehicle still wouldn't shut off. I had to put it in reverse physically step on the gas, which Is the only way The parking brake finally disengaged And allowed the vehicle to shut off.
I have 19,000 miles. After each oil change, the engine begins to idol rough, the vehicle violently shakes and the traction control and ABS turn off. The first time this happened it was determined that there was a cylinder (4) failure causing a missfire. This was corrected under warranty. A few months later immediately after receiving an oil change again, the same actions occurred. This time the computer is showing a cylinder (7) failure and engine missfire. This is very similar to what is happening on the 6.7 L GM recall l, but I don't have the 6.7 I have the 5.8. I believe the issue is bigger than just the 6.7 L.
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.
Engine complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, 60% of the model year's 50 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, though it has 1 recall 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.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 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.