2019 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2019 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 2019 compares

One of the better Tahoe years

Owners filed about 38% fewer complaints than a typical Tahoe year. The area owners reported most is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 52,000 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 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (39, 36% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the fuel system. That ranks 9th of 13 Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 2 recalls.

Complaints109filed with NHTSA
Recalls2for this model year
Crashes86 injuries reported
Fires0reported in complaints

2 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

Own one?

Get recall alerts for your 2019 Tahoe

Add it to My Garage, free. We email you when a new recall is issued for it, plus service reminders and what it is worth each month.

Add it to My Garage
Shopping for one?

Start a free car search

Tell us what you want in a 2019 Tahoe and your budget. We review every request and show you how we can help you find a good one and skip the bad years.

Start my car search

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 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe before you buy.

Transmission and drivetrain

39 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 52,000 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 transmission completely went out at 130,000 miles. We had to buy a whole new transmission. It has had regular maintenance on it. Rpm would skyrocket the car wouldn’t move. Then it would finally go but not very fat or will. It also was making a terrible grinding noiseOwner complaint, filed 2026
I recieved this message after bringing my 2019 Chevy Tahoe to the dealership today for regular maintenanceand to check out a slight noise coming from under my hood: Rotational noise in your engine compartment had to remove the belts to be able to isolate where the sound was coming from. The noise is coming from the camshaft inside your…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Engine and cooling

33 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 25,000 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 approximately 80,700 miles, I started my 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe (6.2L V8) to take my family on errands. My wife heard a squeaking noise from the engine as she walked to the vehicle, and I got out and heard the same noise. No warning lights or messages appeared on the dashboard, before or after. I took the vehicle to an independent…Owner complaint, filed 2026
There was no accident, but while I was on a busy highway, my vehicle started failing me. I wasn’t able to go past 50mph. After taking it to the dealership they said it’s a torque converter and transmission failure.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Fuel system

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

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

While driving, the engine started to shutter and run rough. Pulled over to check and see if everything was ok. When restarting engine it developed a ticking noise which got worse and worse. We then made an appointment at a transmission specialist to get it serviced. While driving there the engine started experiencing engine failure with…Owner complaint, filed 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Complete engine failure. 2nd time this engine failed cylinder 4 bent rod. Cylinder 7 and camshaft. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Yes. Loss of power on busy highway. Trying to navigate to the shoulder through 5…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Electrical system

16 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 39,000 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 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was an independent dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 135,000. It was later discovered, upon checking with an OBD2 Scanner, that the mileage…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 220,145 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the infotainment center lighting and instrument panel lighting was flickering. The instrument panel display switched from the mileage and RPM display to the radio settings that was displayed. There was an abnormal sound of buttons being pushed coming from the display and…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 50,000 miles

Brakes and stability control

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

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

My wife was pulling on to concrete in pad in front of our shop. She applied the brakes and it was stiff but the vehicle rolled forward and slammed into the shop door.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 5,000 miles
Driving our Tahoe today and every light pertaining to the brakes as well as a few other came on.. You can feel the vehicle pulling to one side and hear the transfer case howling.. We have replace the transmission a little over a year ago with a certified GM mechanic..Recall - N192261050 and N262557620 do not fall under our Vin# but this…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Steering

8 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

Pulled from pump after fueling and steering assist reduced warning popped up. Steering wheel was tight and hard to turn. Also reverse would not work.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 20,000 miles
Statement from our driver- "I was driving my recently issued 2019 tahoe and the steering wheel locked up. Fortunately, I was travelling at low speed and the brakes worked. Reverse did not work (it acted like neutral). The steering stayed locked up for quite a while, until I turned the engine and all the electronics off and let it sit…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 500 miles

Air bags

8 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 30,000 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

The contact owned a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving on a winding road during a rainstorm at 15 MPH, she briefly lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The impact of the collision was severe that the front passenger side wheel became detached.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owned a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH straight during heavy traffic, the vehicle was T-boned and crashed into a second vehicle, causing severe damage to the front end of the vehicle. During crash the air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained fractured ribs and an injured…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 29,900 miles

Lights, wipers and visibility

4 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

Sunroof randomly exploded/shattered while driving 65 mph on the highway. The noise sounded like an explosion/gunshot had gone off in my car. Nothing hit the sunroof and the sunroof did not have any cracks present at the time.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Rear window suddenly glass fell out as be a defect in the rear window. The border of the rear window of this suv remain completely intact apparently the lining was loose or the installation was not done correctly when the vehicle was assembled. There are previous incidents reported on the internet on earlier models.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 7,520 miles

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

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact took the vehicle to a tire shop for regular maintenance and was informed that the passenger’s side strut was leaking and had seized. Additionally, the driver’s side strut was also leaking. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 63,000 miles
Alignment and suspend has vehicle shaking,rumbling and shifts all over when hitting a bump in road. J.B.A. Chevrolet had detected alignment/suspension problem. Had check engine light come on but Carmax claimed it was a history code. The transmission had to be replaced. Still experiencing multiple problems with said vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Cruise control and acceleration

3 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

My vehicle seems to be experiencing the same issue detailed in Safety Recall N242454440 https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RMISC-24V797-1898.pdfOwner complaint, filed 2025
Driving east on I-20 after sierra blanca checkpoint starting the incline uphill. I was on left lane, had cruise control set at 80 as per speed limit. On my right a semi just a vehicle away, at my rear another semi also on right lane. Front truck started right exit turn signal and just when he started to exit at curve, my vehicle slowed…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 3,286 miles

Seats and seat belts

3 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 bolt that mounts the third row seat belt near the base of the seat broke so the bottom of the seat belt is no longer attached.Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated that during the crash no air bags were deployed and the front driver and front passenger seat belts did not retract. After the incident, the front driver's side…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 212,000 miles

Body, doors and structure

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

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

Back lift gate door leaks in dust. Have talked to dealership and got no where. We live in country. We had a 2008 tahoe and had no issues.Owner complaint, filed 2021
I was turning left from the freeway feeder light that was already green upon approach. Assk I passed the intersection, I colided from on directly at the front passenger side, impacting the rear driver side of a smaller vw atals. My vehicle spun out of control stopping at the opposite side of the intersection at the median. My airbags…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 38,000 miles

Wheels and tires

3 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

Wheels corroded internally causing beed to not seal correctly. Dealer said it’s a “known” problem with Aluminum wheels and offer no warranty or coverage beyond normal warranty on vehicle. Tire shops say it is a known issue.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Tires have 23,000 miles on them and have been rotated every other oil change since brand new at the dealer. One of the tires has a slipped belt at only 23,000 miles. The other tires do not appear to be in good shape either. Thankfully we noticed before the tire blew. The tires on contentintal cross contact lx20, p275 55 r20. I have…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 23,000 miles

Driver assist systems

1 complaintPhantom 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

When driving, the vehicle will randomly pull to one side cause the vehicle to severely swerve and almost cause a collision.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Chevrolet Tahoe complaints by year

Compare the 2019 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2019 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
2019 Chevrolet TahoeOne of the better years2Transmission and drivetrain
2019 Ford ExpeditionAmong the worst years11Transmission and drivetrain
2019 Toyota 4RunnerAbout average4Fuel system
2019 Dodge DurangoOne of the better years4Lights, wipers and visibility
Compare side by side

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2019 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.

2019 Chevrolet Tahoe questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The most reported problem areas on the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe are the transmission and drivetrain (39 complaints), the engine and cooling (33 complaints) and the fuel system (25 complaints).

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe a good year to buy?

One of the better Tahoe years. Owners filed about 38% fewer complaints than a typical Tahoe year. The area owners reported most is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 52,000 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 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 52,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 25,000 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.

Looking at a 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe?

We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.

See Our Services
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.