Table 1 shows one common power train related problems of the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
On September 5, 2026, at approximately 7:18 p. M. Pacific time, a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe high country equipped with the 6. 2l l87 v8 engine and approximately 18,000 miles experienced a sudden catastrophic failure while the engine was running. There were two occupants. A distinct pop was heard. The engine immediately lost power and multiple dashboard warning lights/messages began flashing. Within approximately 20-30 seconds, smoke and an electrical-burning odor were noticed. The vehicle was shut off manually and both occupants exited. Flames were first observed toward the rear of the engine compartment. The fire spread extremely rapidly, and the vehicle was substantially engulfed within approximately two minutes and completely destroyed. The sudden loss of propulsion created a crash risk, and the rapid fire placed both occupants at risk of serious injury or death. No physical injuries were reported. The precise failed component and fire origin have not yet been determined. The vehicle had received an oil change from an independent service facility within approximately 30 days before the incident. The cause has not been confirmed by gm, a dealer, or an independent fire expert. The vehicle is involved in an active insurance total-loss claim; inspection should be coordinated promptly before the salvage is released, dismantled, sold, or destroyed. More than 100 photographs and several videos taken during and after the fire are available. A fire department report is pending. Because NHTSA engineering analysis ea26005 includes 2021-2026 gm vehicles equipped with the l87 engine and later-produced engines outside recall 25v-274, please associate this complaint with that investigation and evaluate whether an l87 engine failure initiated the fire.
This 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe has experienced three separate and recurring engine-related failures. The first failure occurred at approximately 41,350 miles and required replacement or repair of the lifters and camshaft. The vehicle remained at the dealership for approximately 15 days. The second failure occurred at approximately 54,619 miles and involved another lifter failure along with traction control problems. The third failure occurred at approximately 65,140 miles. The check engine warning light illuminated while the vehicle was being driven, and the vehicle again experienced engine-related problems. The vehicle has now been at the dealership for more than one week, and no repair or permanent solution has been provided. I am concerned that these repeated engine failures and traction control problems create a serious safety risk, particularly because the vehicle is driven on public roads and highways. Despite previous repairs, the engine problems continue to recur. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate these repeated safety-related failures.
On June 12, 2026, while operating my 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe, I experienced an apparent powertrain or transmission-related issue. At the time, the vehicle was already exhibiting another defect involving the air conditioning system, with the driver's side blowing hot air and the passenger side blowing cold air. While attempting to accelerate and pass another vehicle, the engine rpm suddenly increased to approximately 6,000 rpm. The rpm remained elevated momentarily before gradually decreasing. The vehicle's response was abnormal and inconsistent with normal acceleration. Because I was close to home, I continued driving but remained concerned about the vehicle's operation. Since that incident, the same condition has occurred approximately two to three additional times. The problem is intermittent and does not occur every time I accelerate, making it difficult to predict when it will happen. This condition creates a safety concern because sudden, unexpected increases in engine rpm while attempting to accelerate can affect vehicle performance and driver confidence, particularly when passing other vehicles or merging into traffic. The vehicle is being returned to the dealership for evaluation, and the defect remains unresolved.
***safety/danger*** on April 12th at around 5:30 p. M. My family of five, to include three minor children were returning home from visiting family which live about an hour and a half away and as we're traveling on the freeway at highway speeds, in traffic, our new Tahoe unexpectedly and without warning went into reduced power mode and cut speed down to approximately 35 mph in active traffic, which out my family and every other car around me in danger and in jeopardy of causing a collision and even worse, a multiple car pile-up as I dodged full speed traffic in front and behind me while traveling at approximately half their speed. I managed to exit the freeway and heard a loud knocking noise from the engine and saw the reduced power mode indicator, all of which had not happened before but again, the Tahoe is relatively new and was just over 5 months and at 8,889 miles at failure. I proceeded to contact gm roadside assistance. They sent a tow truck and I had to make arrangements for my family to return home, an hour away. I made it to the dealership with the tow truck driver after 9 p. M. ***catastrophic damage**" after the dealership inspected close to a week later they did determine that the entire engine and turbocharger had to be replaced, which they did in a little over a month, the dealership did their part but confidence is lost. Now I am hesitant to drive the Tahoe as it's the family vehicle but really put my kids, wife, myself and everyone around us on the road in danger as it, out of nowhere, cut speed drastically in active highway traffic.
I was driving when I noticed my vehicle lagging and possibly misfiring, and then the "service four-wheel-drive" warning appeared. I was just down the road from my house, so I pulled into the driveway and put the car in park, but it wouldn’t turn off. I realized the parking brake was engaged and wouldn’t release either. I was stuck in two-wheel drive and couldn’t switch to four-wheel drive, and the emergency brake wouldn't disengage when I pressed the button, so the vehicle still wouldn't shut off. I had to put it in reverse physically step on the gas, which is the only way the parking brake finally disengaged and allowed the vehicle to shut off.