CarBrief

NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Tahoe[1]. It also has three recalls, and all three involve braking[2][3][4].

105owner complaints[1]
3recalls[5]
17–19MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints under several component groups. These are the largest groups by count:

Component group Complaints
Unknown or other[8] 27
Engine[9] 22
Power train[10] 20
Brakes[11] 19
Electrical system[12] 13
Steering[13] 11

One complaint can name more than one group, and these are unverified reports. Counts are not adjusted for how many Tahoes were sold.

The brakes group carries the most serious outcomes. It lists 2 crashes, 1 injury and 1 death, with a median of 50,000 miles at failure[11]. Across all complaints, 6 mention a crash, none mention a fire, and 5 injuries are reported[1].

In the small sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe a few patterns:

This is a small sample, so it shows what owners describe and not how often it happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Tahoe is necessarily included[2][3][4].

Before you buy, ask the seller whether each of these recalls applies to that vehicle and whether the repair was done. Each recall covers only certain vehicles[2][3][4].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, 5.3L V8, regular[6] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550
4WD, 5.3L V8, regular[14] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
2WD, 6.2L V8, premium[15] 14 / 23 / 17 $4,850
4WD, 6.2L V8, premium[16] 14 / 22 / 17 $4,850

The 5.3L versions are also rated for gasoline or E85, with the same MPG[17][18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4WD version 4 stars overall[7]. It gets 5 stars for frontal and side crash tests and 3 stars for rollover[7]. Its rollover risk is 22.2%[7]. The rear-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings and a 22.9% rollover risk[19].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
AWD[20] 204 in 80 in 74 in 116 in 5,545 lb
RWD[21] 204 in 80 in 74 in 116 in 5,309 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

1995: 246 complaints, 6 recalls19951996: 283 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 410 complaints, 0 recalls1998: 263 complaints, 2 recalls1999: 552 complaints, 1 recalls19992000: 282 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 512 complaints, 5 recalls2002: 449 complaints, 3 recalls2003: 507 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 467 complaints, 2 recalls2005: 293 complaints, 5 recalls2006: 114 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 1,177 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 586 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 306 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 319 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 457 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 180 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 234 complaints, 5 recalls2014: 93 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 663 complaints, 16 recalls20152016: 257 complaints, 10 recalls2017: 174 complaints, 4 recalls2018: 105 complaints, 3 recalls10520182019: 107 complaints, 2 recalls20192020: 57 complaints, 3 recalls2021: 459 complaints, 16 recalls2022: 195 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 231 complaints, 5 recalls20232024: 69 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 50 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 27 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tahoe model year. The 2018 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19952466
19962833
19974100
19982632
19995521
20002826
20015125
20024493
20035074
20044672
20052935
20061143
20071,1774
20085864
20093065
20103194
20114576
20121804
20132345
2014934
201566316
201625710
20171744
20181053
20191072
2020573
202145916
20221954
20232315
2024693
2025501
2026273

NHTSA's counts for the Tahoe show 105 complaints and 3 recalls for 2018[5]. The nearby years look like this[5]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2015 663 16
2016 257 10
2017 174 4
2018 105 3
2019 107 2
2020 57 3

2018 has fewer complaints than 2015 through 2017 and slightly fewer than 2019. Some other years have fewer, including 2014 with 93 and 2020 with 57[5]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2018 Tahoe?

The complaint count is lower than for 2015 through 2017[5]. The three recalls all involve braking, so ask whether each one applies to the vehicle and was completed before you buy[2][3][4]. The brakes group has the one death in the complaint data, though these reports are unverified[11]. Fuel cost is a real factor, since EPA estimates run from $3,550 to $4,850 a year depending on the version[6][15]. A pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe?
By complaint count, the unknown or other group has 27, engine 22, power train 20 and brakes 19[8][9][10][11].
Does the 2018 Tahoe have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists three: 20V603, 19V761 and 19V645. All involve braking[2][3][4].
What MPG does the 2018 Tahoe get?
EPA combined ratings run from 17 to 19 MPG depending on the engine and drive[6][16][14][15].
How safe is the 2018 Tahoe?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 3 stars for rollover[7][19].
Is 2018 a good year for the Tahoe?
It has 105 complaints and 3 recalls[5]. Some years have fewer complaints, such as 2014 and 2020[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 20V603, filed October 1, 2020: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V761, filed October 24, 2019: Service Brakes. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V645, filed September 6, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Tahoe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Tahoe C1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 27 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 900). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 22 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 20 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 19 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 11 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Tahoe K1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Tahoe C1500 2WD, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 10-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 23 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Tahoe K1500 4WD, 6.2L 8-cyl, Automatic 10-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Tahoe C1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Tahoe K1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAHOE 4DR SUV AWD: length 204 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 5,545 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAHOE 4DR SUV RWD: length 204 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 5,309 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.