How the 2020 compares
One of the better Tahoe years
Owners filed about 68% fewer complaints than a typical Tahoe year. The area owners reported most is the engine and cooling.
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 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (14, 25% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the electrical system. That is the fewest complaints of any Tahoe year from 2012 to 2024 on file. It has 3 recalls.
Complaints57filed with NHTSA
Recalls3for this model year
Crashes48 injuries reported
Fires0reported in complaints
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Start my car searchMost 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 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe before you buy.
Engine and cooling
14 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
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
The water pump failed. Platinum Chevrolet has the old one as they have replaced it. I was driving in [XXX] on a crowded street when I had to quickly pull over because of a terrible noise and the smell of leaking coolant. It made it dangerous for me to get to a parking spot in traffic without warning. There were no warning symptoms. Had…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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 powertrain.This failure causes an immediate and dangerous…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
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
Transmission valve , vehicle shutter, and eventually complete loss of power and failure. Transmission had to be replaced as vehicle was out of warranty.Owner complaint, filed 2026
My transmission failed, yes it is available for inspection. The failure occurred without warning. 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. Yes, I had the vehicle towed to Banks Chevy, I was told the torque converter blew metal…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
12 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
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
On multiple occasions, my car has locked my keys on the INSIDE of the vehicle. I have put things inside my vehicle before leaving and closed all the doors, upon returning, even just a few minutes later, my doors are locked and I am locked out of my vehicle. Additionally, my car is not detecting my remote. I cannot unlock my car with the…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Trailer brake system warning comes on an alarms tones begin. Distracted driving situation and faulting wiring issue. Has occurred on multiple occassions in addition to this time.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Brakes and stability control
6 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
I own a 2020 Tahoe, 160,000 miles. 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, requiring me to put vehicle in neutral and frantically find a way to the shoulder to force a stop…Owner complaint, filed 2026
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. Warning on dash "Brake Assist" and Chevrolet app displays "Antilock Braking System" and text that…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Steering
6 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
Creaking and groaning from rack and pinion. 60,000 miles on vehicle. no other issues. Potential steering system failure. No warning lights. Happens at all speeds.Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 4 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronic rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 43,000 miles
Air bags
4 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
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's brother owned a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while his brother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle crashed; however, the contact was unsure what the vehicle had crashed into. The contact stated that the crash was a single vehicle crash and there was severe damage to the front of the vehicle.…Owner complaint, filed 2025
In August 2021 I got a system light for a Saftey Restraint System, aka airbag issue. This system was going on and off sometimes as little as 5 seconds apart and then sometimes would go off for a bit then back on. I live on an Island and there is no dealer here I had to buy somewhere else. There is a mechanic here that does work on…Owner complaint, filed 2021
Fuel system
3 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
Driving long distance from Florida to New York and in VA, experienced a check engine light after fueling. Vehicle started, stalled and trembling excessively. It was taken to the Chevrolet dealership across from the gas station (total luck). It was diagnosed after 1 day in the shop that all 8 fuel injectors and the two fuel rails were…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Check engine light illuminated then went off and came back on after another drive cycle. Vehicle began to idle rough and experienced hard shifting and acceleration hesitation. I checked the oil and noticed a fuel odor smell on the dip stick and the oil appeared thin. Upon mechanic inspection they found a malfunctioning high pressure fuel…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
2 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 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the front passenger’s side tire detached. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints had fractured and needed to be replaced.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving upwards of 80 MPH, the vehicle would violently shake without warning. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 20,000 miles
Cruise control and acceleration
2 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
Chevrolet has a recall on some vehicles for a bad transmission valve body, but my vehicle isn’t a part of the recall and I’m having the exact same issues. Currently my only vehicle that I have to transport my 7 month old is a complete safety risk. My check engine light is on and the code its throwing is to replace transmission valve body…Owner complaint, filed 2026
My engine light keeps coming on randomly. When this occurs, the dashboard lights blinks and I get a " steering assist" error message. 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. Also, I noticed my temperature gauge moves up & down as…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Wheels and tires
2 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
Brand new set of tires. Less than 100 miles on them. During a left turn at roughly 15-25 mph the entire tire separated from the rim on the rear passenger wheel. The tire is in a secure location and can be inspected if needed. This led to an accident. There were no warning indicators such as low pressure indicators. The low pressure…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: M Plus S, Tire Size: P265/65/R18, DOT Number: [VIN]. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side tire was continuously losing air. While the vehicle was in for routine service, the tire was examined by the mechanic who discovered the cause of the…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 15,000 miles
Seats and seat belts
1 complaintBelts 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 2020 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that the second-row passenger's side seat cover made a loud cracking noise. The contact stated that the failure was previously repaired however, the failure recurred. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer dewayne blackmon chevrolet (1410…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 16,927 miles
Chevrolet Tahoe complaints by year
Compare the 2020 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2020 full-size SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2020 Ford Expedition | Worse than most years | 18 |
| 2020 Toyota 4Runner | One of the better years | 1 |
| 2020 Dodge Durango | One of the better years | 2 |
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
This is every recall issued for the 2020 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.
Tires
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Fuel system Fuel pump
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Brakes Wheel speed sensor / tone ring
- 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.
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most reported problem areas on the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe are the engine and cooling (14 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (14 complaints) and the electrical system (12 complaints).
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe a good year to buy?
One of the better Tahoe years. Owners filed about 68% fewer complaints than a typical Tahoe year. The area owners reported most is the engine and cooling. 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 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recent, from Feb 2021, covers the tires. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
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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These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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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.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model