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For families that require three-rows of comfort, there aren’t a whole lot of options on the market. The 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe continues to be a popular option, since its first release in 1995. The company is quite proud of this model, even stating, “it’s the best for a reason.” On the other hand, research shows that there are plenty of reasons that it is one of the worst. The steering malfunctions, there are electrical issues and it comes equipped with a faulty powertrain.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2019 2021 2022
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Steering | |
| Air Bags | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Tires | |
| Power Train | |
| Suspension | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control | |
| Seats |
Problems with the Air Bags
To protect the occupants in a vehicle, the air bags must be in working order. However, this Tahoe seems to struggle with the basics.
Here is one NHTSA review. “The contact stated they rented a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while coming to a stop to make a U-turn, the steering wheel suddenly locked. The vehicle continued to accelerate forward crashing into a wall on a driveway of a home nearby. The vehicle’s air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and had not been deemed totaled as of yet. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the head and knees. The contact stated there were 5 passengers in the vehicle, not including the contact, there was a passenger in the front and four in the rear. The contact stated the passenger in the front had head, mouth and wrist injuries. The passengers in the rear received injuries to their head, foot, ribs, legs, face.”
This is a serious situation that should be addressed, but even more importantly is the risk of fire this SUV possesses. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V837000 says that vehicles might not have a pressure regulator included in the fuel pump. If this occurs, the fuel pump could become over-pressurized and crack, which leads to a fuel leak. When gasoline is leaking out of the car, there is a higher chance of a car fire. Whether the Tahoe is attempting to crash people into walls with defective air bags or it wants to burst into fire, none of these situations constitutes being deemed “the best.” The only thing it is the best at is failing.
Problems with the Brakes
Speaking of failing, the brakes on the Tahoe are just as defective. Without functioning brakes, there is another chance of causing an accident and injury.
Just look at this NHTSA complaint. “My new 2020 Tahoe has auto/power pedal height adjustment. It allows both pedals in unison to be lowered or raised for comfort and dexterity of use. The height distance between the brake and gas pedal is extreme. There is an inherent danger of hitting the side of the brake pedal prior to getting one’s shoe onto the brake pedal. Women wearing sandals or open face footwear can possibly snag their footwear to the side of the pedal platform. Any heavy working type shoe is also prone to hitting the side of the pedal first. My wife and I both noticed this during our separate test drives. In each case, the timing of actually engaging the brake pedal endangers the driver’s ability to slow or stop his vehicle. Accidents will occur. I asked the salesman if the pedals could be separately adjusted, to which he stated it wasn’t possible. The inability to adjust either pedal’s height independently for each driver’s dexterity of engagement is important. Would both automatic powered side view mirrors be effective if they were set to be adjusted in unison only? I’m not sure when automakers made the decision to negate the ability to adjust the distance of height independently of at least one of the pedals. This is our first vehicle purchase since our last in 1985. It appears to me that it has been an unapparent or unnoticed possible reason for accidents.”
Aside from this, there’s another issue causing unintended braking. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V761000 states that over 650,000 vehicles have a serious software malfunction. If the wheel speed sensor fails, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software could activate the driveline-protection system. This defect causes the brakes to apply on the opposite wheel, which pulls the vehicle to one side. Not only can this lead to an accident, but if the air bags aren’t working either, occupants are put in a lot of danger. This only proves it is in fact the “best” – at putting people at risk of peril.
Problems with the Electrical System
One final aspect that needs to work well with a family vehicle is the steering system. Yet, this is just one more area for the Tahoe to fail.
Here is one KBB review. “The magnetic ride is harsh vibrations in the steering wheel and seat. Returned the vehicle with 81 miles to the dealership did road force balance no change. Told by service that is the way it is. Have owned Tahoe and Yukon in the past. Asked the dealership to buy the vehicle back no response. Very disappointed! Trading for Ford Expedition. If you are considering buy any GM vehicle with Magnetic ride control do an extended test drive!”
While this customer talks about the harsh ride, there is more to focus on here. In fact, the company claims that even the basic details of the steering system have been overlooked. With Service Bulletin #16NA109, Chevy tells technicians to inspect the steering gear for excessive grease or sealant. True auto technicians shouldn’t be dealing with this problem in the first place, as there’s no reason to have excessive amounts of grease on parts. From small to large, everything seems to be an issue with the Tahoe – making it the “best” lemon.
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Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Chevrolet pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Electrical System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Mar 03, 2023 |
| State | VA |
| Description | Rear view camera goes off starts with striped blurry lines then goes to blue screen says “service rear vision systemâ€. Took to dealer battery tests low. They recommend replacing battery, positive and negative cables to the tune of 00. They aren't positive this will fix it they say this is what they start with there are several errors codes with that system message. Not covered under extended warranty because they say it's wear and tear/maintenance. Haven't had issues with the battery just the rear view camera system. 2020 tahoe ls 3 yeas old. Battery shouldn't be bad this soon. Chevrolet needs to recall this rear camera system. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Feb 17, 2023 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Back up camera does not work. Quick google search shows this is a common issue in gm vehicles with no real identifiable fix. Starts with blurred lines and within weeks it turns to just a blue screen. Backup camera is a safety feature and therefore should be investigated by nhtsa. |
| Category | Tires |
| Date | Nov 16, 2022 |
| State | MN |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 chevrolet tahoe equipped with michelin tires, tire line: m plus s, tire size: p265/65/r18, dot number: m3ka007x0820. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side tire was continuously losing air. While the vehicle was in for routine service, the tire was examined by the mechanic who discovered the cause of the failure was due to multiple pin holes in the tire. The contact was informed that the tire was unrepairable and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000. |
| Category | Power Train, Suspension |
| Date | Oct 17, 2022 |
| State | KY |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while driving upwards of 80 mph, the vehicle would violently shake without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. |
| Category | Steering, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jun 08, 2022 |
| State | GA |
| Description | My engine light keeps coming on randomly. When this occurs, the dashboard lights blinks and I get a " steering assist" error message. Once this happens it is really hard for me to steer and I lose acceleration as well. Imagine losing acceleration in the middle of an intersection. Also, I noticed my temperature gauge moves up & down as well. I have taken it to the dealership each time it happens and they are saying they haven't been able to replicate the issue. The engine light only stays on for a few hours or days and the problem goes away once the engine light is off. From my research, this was the same exact problems the 2015 chevy tahoes had as well. I don't understand why they cannot figure why I am having this issue. The engine light errors code listed alot of issues yet they still can't diagnose a problem. They have updated the system and checked all wire connections per the dealership. This is my third or fourth time complaining about this issue and this is the dealership's third or fourth time trying to diagnose the problem but they keep telling me they can't. |
| Category | Electrical System: Integrated Trailer Brake Control |
| Date | May 18, 2022 |
| State | MI |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that the service trailer brake system warning light illuminated intermittently. The recurrence of the warning light being illuminated had increased mostly while driving at highway speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | Feb 17, 2022 |
| State | MA |
| Description | Auxiliary battery exploded while vehicle was in operation. Explosion caused damage to front driver side headlight, hood insulation, windshield washer reservoir, terminal covers and battery. See attached images. Later learned of gm service bulletin (19-na-099) regarding overheating of relay causing melted terminals on auxiliary battery |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Nov 05, 2021 |
| State | AK |
| Description | In august 2021 I got a system light for a saftey restraint system, aka airbag issue. This system was going on and off sometimes as little as 5 seconds apart and then sometimes would go off for a bit then back on. I live on an island and there is no dealer here I had to buy somewhere else. There is a mechanic here that does work on vehicles and per the dealership, I bought the car from I was told if the mechanic there can do a software update which is what he thought the problem was, then I should do that. I took this advice and did it. When we drove off the light was off and fixed for about 30 minutes, then the light and safety restrain error came back on. This time remaining on. I took it back to the mechanic and got two error codes. I have since tried to contact gm and been dealing with them for 3 weeks with no assurances if I pay to get my car to a dealship to fix I would get my money back for their error. I also came across and article about investigations into 750k 2020 & 2021 gm models including 2020 chevy tahoe for airbags not working. As a consumer, I should have the right to be able to be reimbursed for costs accruded to me to get my vehicle where I'm forced to get it fixed. |
| Category | Electrical System, Steering |
| Date | Oct 09, 2021 |
| State | VA |
| Description | Stopped at a traffic light my power steering warning light on the dash came on. After that I had no power steering, and the vehicle is very difficult to steer. I drove back to my location turn the vehicle off and who won out about an hour later started and the power steering was working. Upon looking the issue up online I found that other models of my tahoe have had a recall but no particular model has not. |
| Category | Air Bags |
| Date | Oct 04, 2021 |
| State | NE |
| Description | The contact owned a 2020 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, a 2016 hyundai sonata crashed into the front end and pushed the vehicle into other vehicles a dodge caravan and a 2021 ford expedition. The driver sustained a neck fracture and medical attention was provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where informed the air bag bracket was bent or broken. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. |
| Category | Seats |
| Date | Mar 29, 2021 |
| State | MS |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2020 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that the second-row passenger's side seat cover made a loud cracking noise. The contact stated that the failure was previously repaired however, the failure recurred. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer dewayne blackmon chevrolet (1410 south gloster st, tupelo, ms 38801, (662)842-3611) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat cover was hollow. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 16,927. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Sep 17, 2020 |
| State | CO |
| Description | Strong smell to fumes when turning on ac or vent system. |
| Category | Air Bags, Steering |
| Date | Jul 13, 2020 |
| State | MD |
| Description | Tl* the contact stated they rented a 2020 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while coming to a stop to make a u-turn the steering wheel suddenly locked. The vehicle continued to accelerate forward crashing into a wall on a driveway of a home nearby. The vehicle's air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and had not been deemed totaled as of yet. A police report was filed. The contact received injuries to the head and knees. The contact stated there were 5 passengers in the vehicle, not including the contact, there was a passenger in the front and four in the rear. The contact stated the passenger in the front had head, mouth, and wrist injuries. The passengers in the rear received injuries to their head, foot, ribs, legs, face. Medical attention was not needed. The contact had not contacted the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000. The vin was not available. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jun 17, 2020 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | My new 2020 tahoe has auto/power pedal height adjustment. It allows both pedals in unison to be lowered or raised for comfort and dexterity of use. The height distance between the brake and gas pedal is extreme. There is a inherent danger of hitting the side of the brake pedal prior to getting ones shoe onto the brake pedal. Women wearing sandals or open face footwear can possibly snag their footwear to the side of the pedal platform. Any heavy working type shoe is also prone to hitting the side of the pedal first. My wife and I both noticed this during our separate test drives. In each case, the timing of actually engaging the brake pedal endangers the drivers ability to slow or stop his vehicle. Accidents will occur. I asked the salesman if the pedals could be separately adjusted, to which he stated it wasn't possible. The inability to adjust either pedals height independently for each drivers dexterity of engagement is important. Would both automatic powered side view mirrors be effective if they were set to be adjusted in unison only ? I'm not sure when automakers made the decision to negate the ability to adjust the distance of height independently of at least one of the pedals. This is our first vehicle purchase since our last in 1985. It appears to me, that it has been an unapparent or unnoticed possible reason for accidents. Please look into this matter. You might find my observation to be very likely. *tr |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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