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2018 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering vacuum. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission slipping and failure.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Campaign #20V603000 · Jan 10, 2020

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.

Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Campaign #19V645000 · Jun 9, 2019

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

Campaign #19V761000 · Oct 24, 2019

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission slipping and failure

POWER TRAIN

14 NHTSA complaints · 2022-04 → 2026-07

“Transmission failure at 127,000 miles. Multiple flairs in transmission resulting in total rebuild”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743074
“Transmission failure at 110,000 miles. No warning lights, no codes. The transmission was slipping during acceleration, random rpm bouncing at a steady speed, acting lost in gears, slow power up hills then takes off. Currently sitting at a chevy dealership”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11670902
“Transmission is overheating and forcing the truck into limp mode”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11652910

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine lifter and camshaft failure

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2022-05 → 2026-05

“Complete Engine failure due to the camshaft being destroyed. Dealership said it was due to the lifters”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11664806
“Was driving approximately 45MPH and the truck just slowly powered down and "Engine Power Reduced" and eventually cut off and wouldn't crank back up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11726485
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and abruptly slowed down and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493707

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Trailer brake system warning message

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2022-07 → 2025-07

“The Trailer Brake System Service light and ding constantly go off while doing standard driving without any type of towing involved. I have never used a trailer on the vehicle; however, the ding and service light are a distraction and cannot be turned off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527702
“Trailer brake system warning, I can’t drive, because it buzz me off! Never used trailer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11504322
“Purchased brand new Chevy 2018 Tahoe in April 2019. Overall good car never had any issues until 02/08/23 as I was driving a got a service alert "Trailer Brake System", It was so random since we have not hauled anything for that to even become a problem”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Roof water leak into headliner

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-03 → 2026-07

“EVERYTIME IT RAINS REALLY HARD, MY DRIVERS SIDE B PILLAR WHERE THE HANDLE AND SEAT BELT IS, IS SOAK AND WET FROM A LEAK. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11751098
“WHEN IT RAINS REALLY HARD, THE ROOF IN THE B PILLAR LEAKS ABOVE THE SEAT BELT AREA INTO THE HEADLINER. MY HUSBAND WHO IS AN AUTOBODY TECHNICIAN HAS MADE SURE MY SUNROOF LINES ARE CLEAR AND THE WINDSHIELD MOLDINGS AND SEALS ARE GOOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749000
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR THE SUNROOF STARTED LEAKING. I HAD IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN AUGUST. SECOND TIME IT WAS REPAIRED WAS IN NOVEMBER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317261

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

AC condenser and refrigerant leak

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2026-06

“AC CONDENSER LEAK. APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2015-2017 ISSUE THAT REQUIRED GM TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT. REPAIR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF CONDENSER AND NEW REFRIGERANT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301313
“AC stopped blowing cold air due to a broken condenser weld issue commonly found in previous recalls 2014-2017”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11558655
“The rear AC evaporator located behind the paneling in the rear of the vehicle was leaking AC freon r-1234yf. This was diagnosed after a weeks long troubleshooting by my mechanic trying to find the leak in the rear AC lines causing the vehicle to fail the vacuum test”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743752

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist failure

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2025-02

“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the power steering assist failed. The failure occurred on several occasions, which nearly caused a collision”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11455663
“THANK GOD MY WIFE OR SOMEONE WASN'T DRIVING AT THIS TIME : GOT IN THE VEHICLE, STARTED AND A SERVICE VEHICLE CAME ON.. IT SAID ' POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE '. I COULD NOT EVEN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11324804
“First occasion the car drove fine with no indication of an issue. Then once the car was turned off then on, the dash showed no lights or gauges and indicated that the steering assist is not working and the wheel was impossible to turn”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11599841

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake vacuum pump and hydraulic brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

10 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2025-09

“SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON I 95 AND HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AND BEGAN ROLLING BACK IN TRAFFIC AND HAD USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR TWICE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11166370
“As I drove the 2018 Chevy Tahoo the brakes got really hard to press and would no longer stop. I was finally able to get it to stop and moved off the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11430679
“The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the brake pedal had to be depressed very hard to start the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11689128

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

18 crashes 1990–2024

How the 18 occupant deaths break down

13

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

18

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2018 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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