2017 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission failures and brake-pedal problems, with engine lifter and fuel-injector complaints also appearing in the sample. Transmission reports cluster at higher mileage, often past 90,000 miles, while brake complaints tend to show up at lower mileage and sometimes recur after a recall repair was performed.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, hard shifts and failure

   • 44 complaints (25%)
   • median 102,000 mi at 4.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $5,500 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe harsh or delayed shifting, slipping, shuddering, a loss of power while driving, and in some cases the vehicle refusing to move after stopping. Several owners say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed the transmission as failed and recommended replacement; some report burnt fluid or internal damage. A few describe the problem appearing after a single hard shift with no warning light. Mostly reported between roughly 65,000 and 130,000 miles, with a few at lower mileage.

   Recall 26V289000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Ask for transmission service records and check fluid condition and color on a test drive; note any shudder, delayed engagement or harsh downshifts when slowing to a stop.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission stopped working ! Only has less then 70000 mi on it !!! Was stopped at a stop sign took my foot off the brake and it started to roll backwards! I waited about 10 or 15 minutes then it started to go again but with a strange shuttering feeling . It soon stopped again and same thing wouldnt go for a few minutes then again it felt weak and underpowered”

   NHTSA complaint #11384527, filed 2020-12, 67,000 miles

   “My 2017 Tahoe is jerking, not going into overdrive smoothly, not accelerating easily. I was told that this year model had several vehicles that had to have the transmission replaced. I have owned this vehicle for only 6 months. I called my local dealership to see if there were any recalls and also called gmc but was told by both that there were no recalls for this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11389301, filed 2021-01, 112,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Hard brake pedal / reduced power assist

   • 36 complaints (21%)
   • median 49,936 mi at 4.2 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe a brake pedal that becomes very firm and needs heavy pressure at low speed, such as in parking lots and drive-throughs, with the vehicle slow to stop. Some mention a brake assist warning message and say a dealer confirmed a service bulletin applied. Several report the symptom returning after a recall repair was completed. Reported from very low mileage up to about 110,000 miles, often at low-speed maneuvering.

   Recall 19V645000Recall 19V7610001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the brake assist recall work was done and whether the vacuum pump has been replaced; test the pedal feel at very low speed in a parking lot.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My brakes become very very hard to push when it senses anything near my car. I noticed this was a recall issues so I took it to the dealership (gerry lane chevy in baton rouge, louisiana) and they tried fixing it but were unsuccessful. The second attempted 'worked' or at least they said it did. I'm still having issues with it and have since the moment I left the dealership. They refuse to look at it without me paying this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #11383942, filed 2020-12, 97,000 miles

   “Depressing the brakes, failed to bring the vehicle to a stop. While at a low rate of speed, the brake pedal would sink to the floor, and there would be no stopping power. This occurred 3 times in a single day. We rolled through the end of several driveways, directly into the middle of the street. We contacted the dealership, and they confirmed there is a service bulletin for the issue, and the vehicle should get immediate and necessary repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11243232, filed 2019-08, 31,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine misfire and lifter or camshaft wear

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 107,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe a flashing or steady check engine light with knocking, ticking or rough running, and dealers diagnosing misfires along with worn lifters or camshaft. Some owners report the engine stalling while driving and, in one case, an engine replacement. A service bulletin covers a camshaft actuator magnet for engine shudder. Typically reported between about 40,000 and 110,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at cold start and ask for oil change records and any prior diagnosis of lifter or camshaft work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my vehicle and the check engine light came on and it stalled out like it didn't want to go. The oil light came on and I barely made it a mile back home. The dealership told me that the lifters were bad and that the cam shaft rod is bent. This is a $60,000 vehicle that is less than 3 years old and they are expecting me to pay for the repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #11323444, filed 2020-05, 70,000 miles

   “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 misfire in cylinders #4 and #8. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11659074, filed 2025-05, 120,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel injector misfire and stalling

   • 10 complaints (6%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 6.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report the engine running rough with the check engine light on, shuddering at idle or at a stop, and loss of power; shops diagnosed inoperable or clogged fuel injectors requiring replacement. Some mention a fuel pump failure causing deceleration at highway speed, and one describes a strong fuel smell inside the cabin. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 125,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask about injector replacement history and whether any fuel-related campaign applied to the VIN; note rough idle or a fuel smell during the test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately four years later. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11750115, filed 2026-07, 34,141 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a red light, parked, or while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11626436, filed 2024-11, 126,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   A/C condenser leak and loss of cooling

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 3.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2025

   Complaints describe warm air from the vents or the air conditioning no longer cooling, with a dealer or shop finding a cracked or leaking condenser and recommending replacement. Owners often state the repair was quoted at their own cost and that no recall covered the vehicle. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 85,000 miles, often noticed in warm weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Run the A/C on maximum during the test drive and ask whether the condenser has ever been replaced or dye-tested for leaks.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “January 25, 2020, I purchased a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe and the A/C condenser has a leak and must be replaced. The dealer charged me $148.50 for the diagnosis and quoted the repair cost $1095.12.”

   NHTSA complaint #11405479, filed 2021-03, 84,410 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle with a UV light, he noticed there was a refrigerant leak in the air conditioning condenser. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an air conditioning condenser refrigerant leak. The contact was informed that the air conditioning condenser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11455831, filed 2022-03, 53,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that covers transmission behavior, brake pedal feel at low speed and A/C performance is worth the cost on this model year. Ask for service records showing whether brake recall work and any transmission or fuel-injector repairs were completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.