Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 10% | — |
| 2024 | 7 | 10% | 31,000 miles |
| 2023 | 47 | 20% | 39,000 miles |
| 2022 | 39 | 20% | 40,000 miles |
| 2021 | 90 | 20% | 62,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 25% | 20,000 miles |
| 2019 | 38 | 36% | 100,000 miles |
| 2018 | 20 | 19% | 54,000 miles |
| 2017 | 53 | 30% | 100,000 miles |
| 2016 | 47 | 18% | 60,000 miles |
| 2015 | 55 | 8% | 77,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 6% | 74,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 4% | 40,000 miles |
| 2012 | 7 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% | 86,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 2% | 71,000 miles |
| 2007 | 50 | 4% | 62,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 8% | 97,000 miles |
| 2004 | 26 | 6% | 38,000 miles |
| 2003 | 19 | 4% | 16,000 miles |
| 2002 | 37 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2001 | 27 | 5% | 54,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 1999 | 45 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 21 | 8% | 79,000 miles |
| 1997 | 58 | 14% | 95,000 miles |
| 1996 | 37 | 13% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 13 | 5% | 22,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving the vehicle at highway speeds the vehicle starts to lurch or randomly lose power. Eventually, within a few minutes, the lurching gets worse and the check engine light starts flashing. In a GM vehicle, a flashing check engine light is critical engine failure. After pulling the vehicle to the side of the road, the check engine light stops flashing and stays on constantly. After about 10-15 minutes, the check engine light turns off completely. The GM dealership can read the history and says it's P0300 error code for General Engine Misfire in cylinder #6. GM warranty refuses to fix anything because the light isn't on when the car comes into the dealership. The car has been to two different dealerships, with both of them telling me it has the same error code. …
While driving down I35 South of wellington Ks in our new 2026 Chevy Tahoe we experienced a vehicle shift to neutral and no transmission correction available. Coasted to ditch saw "Service Transmission" notice and so turned off and on engine . Went to Derby Ks and Davis Moore Chevy in Wichita where staff removed the warning service notice on driver info and we continued to Molle Chevy in Blue Springs Mo. where they did diagnostic and only showed ambient air fault!! This is scary! We had no transmission and had to get off road safely! Please let public and our dealers know and recall all vehicles with this problem. We are afraid to drive this new 3,000 mile Chevy Tahoe.
***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. …
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer 10 times and the dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble codes for the control module, body control module, rear parking assistance, loss of communication, and transmission solenoid. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shifted out of the intended gear and shifted into neutral. The vehicle then went into LIMP Mode. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 30,837.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that on four occasions while in reverse (R), the "Service Transmission" message was displayed, and the vehicle failed to reverse. The contact was able to shift into drive(D). The vehicle was taken to a dealer on four separate occasions, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission shifter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired all four times, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,293.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. Due to the failure, the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway where the vehicle was then towed to a dealer. After the vehicle remained in the dealer's possession for over a week, the vehicle was diagnosed with an engine failure. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was placed under recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine) and that the engine would be replaced. Despite the engine repair, the contact stated that an abnormal, rattling sound would emit from the vehicle upon start of the engine. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would violently jerk upon depression of the accelerator pedal while at a complete stop. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) in November 2025 by the local dealer. The contact stated that the engine had passed the inspection, and a higher viscosity oil had been added along with the other steps stated in the recall. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The gear shift indicator indicated that the transmission had been shifted into neutral(N). The contact attempted to shift to drive(D) when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was stopped but was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer who had completed the recall repair. …
Related recalls (9)
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a…
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014.
Show 4 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438.
Power train › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Power train › Automatic transmission
The transmission shift-cable lock clip can back out of its installed position resulting in a loss of cable adjustment. When the shift lever is placed in the "park" position, the "park" indicator light May not illuminate.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (90), 1997 (58), 2015 (55), 2017 (53) and 2007 (50) model years. Transmission complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems?
Yes — 9 recalls, including 26V-289 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), May 7, 2026); 26V-085 (valves/valve body, Feb 13, 2026); 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (181 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (29).
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.