2017
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Chevrolet Tahoe

Unlock Ratings
This big SUV, which is built on a full-sized pickup chassis, seems like a throwback in a world where nearly every other SUV is now based on a carlike unibody structure. It's a virtual twin of the GMC Yukon and essentially a shorter version of the Chevrolet Suburban, with a 20-inch shorter length and about 24 cubic feet less cargo room.
Alerts
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
2017
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Chevrolet Tahoe

Reliability
See All
Owner Satisfaction
See All
Crash and Rollover Tests
IIHS Front Moderate Overlap NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver NA
IIHS Side Crash NA
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Driver
NHTSA Frontal-Crash, Passenger
See All

Road Test Results

Performance
Acceleration Acceleration Acceleration tests are conducted on a smooth, flat pavement straightaway at the track. Time, speed, and distance measurements are taken with a precise GPS-based device that’s hooked to a data-logging computer.
0 to 60 mph 0 to 60 mph (sec.) The time in seconds that a vehicle takes to reach 60 mph from a standstill with the engine idling.
Transmission Transmission Transmission performance is determined by shifting smoothness, response, shifter action, and clutch actuation for manual transmissions.
Braking Braking The braking rating is a composite of wet and dry stopping distances and pedal feel. Braking distance is from 60 mph, with no wheels locked.
Emergency Handling Emergency Handling Several factors go into the rating, including the avoidance maneuver speed and confidence, as well as how the vehicle behaves when pushed to its limit.
Comfort / Convenience
Ride Ride Our expert judgment of how well the suspension isolates and absorbs road imperfections and how steady it keeps the body on various road surfaces.
Noise Noise Our expert judgment of the vehicle's interior noise level in everyday driving.
Front Seat Comfort Front Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the front seat is for drivers of various heights.
Rear Seat Comfort Rear Seat Comfort Our judgment of how comfortable the rear seat is for two passengers to sit across.
Interior Fit and Finish Interior Fit and Finish An expert evaluation of the interior quality and craftsmanship.
Trunk/Cargo Area Trunk/Cargo Area Our rating is based on the amount of luggage or cargo space that a vehicle has in the trunk or cargo area.
Fuel Economy & Emissions
Fuel Economy Fuel Economy We perform our own fuel-economy tests, independent of the government's often-quoted EPA figures and the manufacturers' claims. Using a precise fuel-flow measuring device spliced into the fuel line, we run two separate circuits to represent city and highway consumption.
CR's Overall Mileage CR's Overall Mileage CR's overall mileage is a composite of measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course and highway cruising; and CR's 150-mile test trip of mixed driving, if tested. In recent road tests, we've discontinued the 150-mile trip test.
CR's City Mileage CR's City Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed city course.
CR's Highway Mileage CR's Highway Mileage Measured fuel usage on a prescribed highway cruising.
Annual Fuel Cost Annual Fuel Cost The cost and amount of fuel used in 12,000 miles and is calculated from CR's overall mileage.
Greenhouse Gas Greenhouse Gas The Greenhouse Gas Rating represents the amount of carbon dioxide the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
Smog Rating Smog Rating The Smog Rating represents the amount of health-damaging and smog-forming airborne pollutants the vehicle emits compared to other vehicles of the same model year. This score from the EPA ranges from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).

Owner Reports

Worse Better
Reliability History Reliability History The reliability charts are based on responses on hundreds of thousands of vehicles from our latest Annual Auto Survey. Consumer Reports subscribers reported on any serious problems they had with their vehicles during the past 12 months that they considered serious because of cost, failure, safety, or downtime, in any of the trouble spots included in the table below. The results are presented relative to the average model that year. Extra weight is given to the more serious areas such as major engine or transmission problems. Based on this data and further analysis, we predict reliability for the latest year. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
NA
2001
NA
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
NA
2007
2008
NA
2009
NA
2010
NA
2011
NA
2012
2013
2014
NA
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Reliability Trouble Spots
Engine Major Engine Major Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.
Engine Minor Engine Minor Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.
Engine Cooling Engine Cooling Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.
Transmission Major Transmission Major Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.
Transmission Minor Transmission Minor Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.
Drive System Drive System Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.
View all Reliability
Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction To learn about satisfaction, CR has collected survey data from our annual survey on more than half a million vehicles. Our subscribers provide great insights into their satisfaction by answering one simple question: If they had it to do all over again, would they definitely buy or lease the same model? In addition, respondents also rate their cars in six categories: driving experience, comfort, value, styling, audio, and climate systems. N/A indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
2000
NA
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
NA
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Driving Experience Driving Experience Includes acceleration and handling
Comfort Comfort Includes seats, climate control, noise, and ride
Value Value Did you get what you wanted relative to the price you paid?
Styling Styling How it looks inside and out
View all Owner Satisfaction
Safety Equipment
ABS standard. Side air bags standard from 2010. ESC standard from 2005. Head protection air bags standard from 2008. FCW and AEB standard from 2021.
Road Test

This big SUV, which is built on a full-sized pickup chassis, seems like a throwback in a world where nearly every other SUV is now based on a carlike unibody structure. It's a virtual twin of the GMC Yukon and essentially a shorter version of the Chevrolet Suburban, with a 20-inch shorter length and about 24 cubic feet less cargo room.

For 2015, the Tahoe, Suburban, and their GMC counterparts received a major update, with chiseled looks, a nicely finished interior, the latest technology, and slightly better fuel economy. At $60,000, however, our typically equipped LT test vehicle competes with many other luxury SUVs that offer a better driving experience and about the same utility.

Seating
3 front, 3 rear, 3 third
Drive Wheels
4WD, Rear
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Body Styles
4-door SUV
Transmissions Available
  • 6-speed Automatic
Engines Available
  • 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp)

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The actual GPS failed and it was replaced by the dealer free of charge"

Anonymous, NC (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"Periodic crackling noise when talking on the phone over BlueTooth. Chevrolet dealership unable to reproduce or resolve."

Anonymous, (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)
Radio

"Parasitic power drain and whining sound over speakers."

Anonymous, FL (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement.

What Owners Say

Transmission rebuild or replacement

"Transmission was skipping, covered under warranty"

Anonymous, (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

"Transmission went totally out at 60,300 miles that was 300 miles over warranty and they would not cover.They did give me a loaner and took 6 weeks to get new OEM Transmission."

Anonymous, TN (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)

"Transmission quit, vehicle would not move, it happened within 5-8k miles after warranty expired."

Anonymous, (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Unsure 5.3-L V8)

Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Antilock system (ABS)

"Issue began unexpectedly, computer program issue, resolved by GM dealer"

Anonymous, TX (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 5.3-L V8)

"computer issue again, softwear update"

Anonymous, TN (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)
Pulsation or vibration

"it was something in the computer system that could cause a problem with the braking system. I took it in to get the computer system fixed, it would pull to one side or the other."

Anonymous, TN (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Alignment

"The vehicle pulls left. Again dealer says there's no abnormality."

Bruce C., CA (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)
Steering linkage (includes rack and pinion)

"There's a tire squeal & hopping or slipping on the pavement when steering is full turn to either right or left. Dealer service says it's normal, but I have never had a vehicle that operated this way ever."

Bruce C., CA (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

What Owners Say

Rough shifting

"Limp mode, Check Engine Light"

William D., UT (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

"Been told by the dealer that, they just do that."

Anonymous, UT (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

4WD/AWD components

"Truck got stuck in 4WD and had to be reprogrammed by dealer. Dealer stated that it could have been due to shifting into 4WD while driving too fast, however I had not done that, and I had been previously told that the vehicle would not shift into 4WD if the speed was too high."

Anonymous, CA (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)
Electrical failure

"The car failed to accelerate over 10 mph. Dealership claimed it was a software issue."

Anonymous, CO (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Air or water leaks

"Water leaking into the Sirius antenna. Causing Sirius/XM radio to stop working."

Anonymous, MO (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)
Squeaks or rattles

"There is a squeak in the dash but it comes and goes."

Anonymous, ON (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Glass defects

"Thousands of imperfections showed up when the sun hit it in the right way. I took it in at about 1000 miles and the dealer was reluctant to accept blame. I told them I was going to change it my self, give them the windshield and if they found the problem to reimburse me. They then replaced with new."

Paul A., NC (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)
Tailgate, hatch or trunk

"Cracked trim"

Anonymous, MO (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)

Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT JUST FEW MILES AFTER WARRENTY.tHERE WAS PARTIAL CONCESSION MADE ON COSTS"

Anonymous, TN (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier 5.3-L V8)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"System has quit working, or at some times is intermittent."

Dave Z., CA (2017 Chevrolet Tahoe LT 5.3-L V8)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

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