2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Chevrolet Tahoe, 2015 to 2020 model years
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2017 compares

About average for the Tahoe

Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Tahoe year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 100,000 miles.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (53, 30% of complaints), followed by the brakes and stability control and the engine and cooling. That ranks 8th of 13 Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 4 recalls.

Complaints175filed with NHTSA
Recalls4for this model year
Crashes35 injuries reported
Fires1reported in complaints

1 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe before you buy.

Transmission and drivetrain

53 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with a 6L80 transmission began experiencing transmission-related drivability issues at approximately 130,000 miles. The vehicle jerked on takeoff, had delayed/slow shifting, produced a whining noise, and later had intermittent shuddering/surging while driving. During service, metallic debris/shavings were…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was forced to pull over and had the vehicle towed to a local independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 128,000 miles

Brakes and stability control

44 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firm while depressed, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 84,500 miles
It has happened several times when going slow the breaks get really hard to stop the vehicle. Otherwise breaks are new work well. One time I hit my garage as I tried to move it slightly forward. Another time I was slowly moving forward & tried to stop at a driveway as person was walking by. I pressed breaks down as far as the could go.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine and cooling

28 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

At 92,000 miles the lifters went out in vehicle. Repairs were done and replaced the gaskets, lifters and head bolts. After driving the vehicle another 12,000 miles lifters went out again. GM is aware of the issue and does not to take responsibility or make a recall on the issue. It’s a very known issue with the 5.3L engine in cylinder 1…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the camshaft. The contact was also informed that there was a…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 120,000 miles

Electrical system

20 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe on February 21, 2026. The contact used another vehicle as a trade-in to purchase the vehicle. The contact stated that the odometer was recorded at 36,688 at the time of the sale. The contact was provided with an Experian report, which indicated that the odometer reading was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 109,967 miles
The system that I believe to be failing has to do with electrical components of the 2017 Chevy Tahoe. It has completely lost all power two times while driving this vehicle. In both instances, mine & my children's lives were at risk including those who could have hit us. If anyone had been behind me as I was turning and the car shut off…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Fuel system

13 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

My check engine light and traction control light came on at approximately 157,000 miles. I was not safe. I was in the middle of the freeway. My Tahoe slowed and sputtered! I had to be towed. I got an inspection at Folsom Buick GMC in Folsom, CA at the recommendation of GMC General Motors Corporation. Fuel Injector #6 failed and required…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine started running rough. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with three inoperable fuel injectors. The contact was informed that the fuel…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 34,141 miles

Air bags

10 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Front passenger air bag warning light lit up during road trip to NM. (1400 miles) warning bell sounded. We were very concerned airbag would explode at any minute. This was second time airbag light went off. First time was a loose sensor over drivers head. This time we repaired airbag in passenger seat at cost of $1800!. Now light is on…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact’s vehicle shifted forward into another lane. The contact stated that the cabin was filled with smoke and she had to abruptly exit the vehicle. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 40,000 miles

Body, doors and structure

8 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

Parts named most: Body (7).

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The factory-applied clearcoat on my 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe is failing and delaminating. The clearcoat is peeling away from the base coat in sheets, exposing the underlying paint to the elements. This deterioration occurred without any external damage, collision repair, or environmental abuse. The vehicle has 76,000 miles and has been…Owner complaint, filed 2026
I have a 2017 Chevy Tahoe Z71, and the paint on the hood , now moving to the top of the Tahoe is showing visible defects. The hood paint started to look cloudy. Even after buffing and polishing it would not improve. Talk to a professional detailer who stated that the problem was with the clear coat. The cost to repair and repaint the…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Steering

5 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I had no issues that would hint there was an issue with my power steering. I stopped at a drive thru, and when leaving and crossing 4 lanes to get into a lane, my power steering went out in the middle, driving less than 20 mph. I am very lucky that no cars were coming and I was able to pull into a parking lot that was across the street.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The power steering motor went out while I was driving. The message center on my dashboard alerted me just seconds before I couldn't steer. Luckily I was on a residential street and was able to get out of the road with a lot of effort steering. The car was taken to a local mechanic and we were told the power steering motor went out. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Driver assist systems

5 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Braking system becomes inoperable when the brakes are applied at the same time the forward collision system is engaged by the vehicles computer.Owner complaint, filed 2023
The brakes are really hard when pressing takes alot of force and also takes very long to stop now my truck pedal is soft and my truck is stuttering from loss of vaccuum and also made me fly down my driveway with no way to stopOwner complaint, filed 2023

Lights, wipers and visibility

5 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on a highway when I heard a loud crash sound and some rattling coming from the sunrood . It was raining but not bad. I didn't see anything that may have flew up and hit the sunroof. I had not gone under an overpass and there was not many cars on the road. I pulled in to a parking lot and did not find anything that would…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 15,000 miles
The hood and top of the car on multiple tahoes and suburbans with this body style and year have the clear missing I have family &friends same issue, as well as the bottom plastic piece by windshield wipers crack quick/loosen causing possible water to get in or defrost system to stall, also does not go through car wash systems many Chevy…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Cruise control and acceleration

4 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The vehicle’s infotainment touchscreen intermittently malfunctions due to apparent LCD ghosting or phantom touch inputs. The system registers commands without driver interaction, resulting in unpredictable and uncontrollable behavior. The failure presents as: •Ghost touches and phantom screen inputs •Uncommanded radio, media, and menu…Owner complaint, filed 2026
La falla de mi carro es la transmisión se quebró por dentro cuando iba en marcha pero pude llegar a un tienda de ChevroletOwner complaint, filed 2022

Wheels and tires

4 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic, the mechanic discovered that all four rims were pitted and peeled which had caused all four tires to not hold air. The contact was informed that due to the rim defect, all four rims needed to be replaced. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 40,000 miles
2017 Tahoe Premier 4WD with 53,000 miles. Originally had a tire going low so I took it to a Discount Tire to find leak. Upon inspection, they found significant corrosion on the inside of the wheel. After finding this out, I found that NHTSA along with GM issued a Service Bulletin for this problem. (Bulletin No: 08-03-10-006G). I called…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Suspension

3 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Continue to have suspension issues and continued control issues on my 2017 Chevy Tahoe and with having two transmissions fail on this same truck!Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2017 chevrolet tahoe. The contact received an unknown recall notification. The contact took the vehicle to buzz chew chevrolet (656 county rd, 39a, southampton, ny 11968, (631) 259-6187) and was informed that the part was not available for the repair. The contact also stated that the front driver's side tire was…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 49,000 miles

Seats and seat belts

2 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the second-row seat belts were being frayed while retracted by the belt latch. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the fraying of the belt webbing was slight but over time had become more noticeable and the contact was concerned that…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 80,000 miles
The middle row seat belt on the drivers side is failing to retract and secure my child. It is premature failure on a 5 year old model vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Chevrolet Tahoe complaints by year

Compare the 2017 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2017 full-size SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2017 Chevrolet TahoeAbout average4Transmission and drivetrain
2017 Ford ExpeditionWorse than most years4Electrical system
2017 Toyota 4RunnerOne of the better years5Brakes and stability control
2017 Dodge DurangoAbout average2Lights, wipers and visibility
Compare side by side

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Transmission and drivetrain Transfer case

May 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V289000
Risk
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed.
Full recall summary

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

Brakes Wheel speed sensor / tone ring

Oct 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V761000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Brakes Vacuum

Sep 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V645000
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.
Full recall summary

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.

Air bags

Sep 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V651000
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software.
Full recall summary

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The most reported problem areas on the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe are the transmission and drivetrain (53 complaints), the brakes and stability control (44 complaints) and the engine and cooling (28 complaints).

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe a good year to buy?

About average for the Tahoe. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Tahoe year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 100,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recent, from May 2026, covers the transfer case. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 100,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the brakes and stability control gave a mileage of about 50,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe years should I avoid?

The Tahoe years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2015 and 2021. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014, 2018 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.