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2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering tires and fuel pump. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Internal engine failure in 6.2L V8.” 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

TIRES

Campaign #21V115000 · Feb 25, 2021

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #19V837000 · Nov 21, 2019

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.

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 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Reported to NHTSA

Internal engine failure in 6.2L V8

ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2025-01 → 2026-08

“The 6.2L L87 V8 engine in my 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe Premier RST suffered a catastrophic internal component failure while operating. The engine experienced a sudden, severe internal mechanical breakdown involving the crankshaft or connecting rod bearings, completely disabling the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11754970
“Lifter failed on my Chevy Tahoe 6.2L engine at ~75K miles in September 2025. One lifter bank was replaced. No reason for lifter failure was given. Less than 5 months later the other lifter bank has failed and damaged the cam shaft”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11718762
“I purchased this vehicle in January 2024. With less than 40k miles on it. I drove it for approx 2 months and the entire engine seized up”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638463

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel injector and fuel rail failure

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-09 → 2026-04

“It was diagnosed by the Chevrolet dealership in Chester, VA as suffering severe failure of ALL 8 fuel injectors, fuel rails and connector harnesses, resulting in a 15 day repair wait and a $4,644.50 bill not including other expenses such as lodging/car rental”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11729748
“It was diagnosed after 1 day in the shop that all 8 fuel injectors and the two fuel rails were corroded and had snapped upon inspection.( photos were sent to me)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690647
“Upon mechanic inspection they found a malfunctioning high pressure fuel pump. This part was recalled on other vehicles of the same model year due to bad welds”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11684913

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure requiring replacement

POWER TRAIN

11 NHTSA complaints · 2024-02 → 2026-07

“I was driving my truck on the highway, suddenly it began to hesitate and making a loud winding out noise. The truck was hesitate on going forward”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11747899
“High pitched whine between 2nd and 3rd gear, dealership states fluid and filter full of metal shavings transmission needed replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11570198
“While driving, the vehicle's RPM's accelerated quickly and then the vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and would not move. I could not even get it to the side of the road to be out of traffic”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626645

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of brake assist and rotor deterioration

SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-09 → 2026-04

“While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of brake assist due to a failure of the vacuum brake pump. The brake pedal became extremely hard, and the vehicle would not slow or stop as expected”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11733810
“While driving toward intersection, light changed to red. Applied pressure to brake pedal and pedal became extremely difficult to press. Vehicle was not slowing as expected with pedal pressure becoming very hard to press to slow vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11691929
“Both front rotors are flaking off in large chunks only on the inside. 35,500 miles . Outside smooth as butter”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542387

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Trailer brake system warning light malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2022-05 → 2024-07

“After visiting the internet I then saw other complaints about the module on the dash for the trailer brake adjustment having repeated complaints”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11590173
“Trailer brake warning message, making car un drive able”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11599209
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11465099

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Backup camera display failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-02 → 2023-03

“Rear view camera goes off starts with striped blurry lines then goes to blue screen says “service rear vision system””
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11510031
“Back up camera does not work. Quick google search shows this is a common issue in GM vehicles with no real identifiable fix”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11507851

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of power steering assist

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2021-10 → 2026-03

“Suddenly lost all power steering, then warning power steering attention, no control for steering, very dangerous, couldn't drive vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725362
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11436172
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11468147

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags failed to deploy in a crash

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2025-11

“The contact stated that the crash was a single vehicle crash and there was severe damage to the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bags should have deployed but failed to deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701729
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435384
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11339175

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

15

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

18

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2020 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.

4

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 2020 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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