Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Owners filed 233 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA between Feb 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is structure (56).

Complaints
233
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure56
  2. Air bags51
  3. Electrical system17
  4. Engine13
  5. Power train9
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)8
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Service brakes6
  9. Steering5
  10. Suspension5
  11. Visibility/wiper3
  12. Fuel/propulsion system3
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Wheels1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20148
201510
201636
201750
201837
201926
202022
202116
202211
20235
20246
20254
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Structure

56 reports
“The drivers side door handle has broken on my Tahoe. In the event of having to urgently egress from my vehicle it would be very difficult to do so because of the handle. Now before you think I'm just a disgruntled owner you should look at the rate of occurrence. I've checked online nationally and locally with used auto part sellers and there are none to be found. If a Tahoe comes in that actually does have one intact every auto yard has a waiting list of buyers and the part is immediately gone. Shouldn't the high rate of failure of trigger at least questions from the NHTSA. I did not mention the passenger door but since it is of the same construction it would fail too if under the same use I feel. My claim is easy enough to substantiate, place a call to any used car part dealer of your choice and search for the driver's side door interior. If you do find one available, call that dealer and you'll find that it's already gone. Then ask the person on the phone about how many people they get calling for that same part. I've been searching for over a year for this one part. This complaint isn't made because I'm angry, I've simply just finally paid attention to the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2024Unknown or other, StructureODI 11567395

Air bags

51 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“Dealer has advised that replacement of airbag will result in damage to interior parts and trim and that replacement parts are not available and that the dealer will not be responsible for replacement and repair of damage. I have refused the warranty replacement until a dealer can be located that will not damage car interior”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2025Air bagsODI 11679387

Electrical system

17 reports1 related recall
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 108,000. At the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 212,257.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Electrical systemODI 11769734

Engine

13 reports
“One day I was driving normal and my engine light and two other lights came on. It dropped my speed under 30mph and I couldn't pass the gas. It said reduced engine power, service stabilitrak and service traction. I immediately took it to auto zone then placed it in the shop at the dealership. They had my truck for almost 2 months and finally said they fixed it. It ran ok for a month or so. I was so scared to drive because it does it randomly. Boom it happen again now im frustrated because what is the problem. Called shop they said bring it back they will have a new person look at it. They had it for a month again. Paid more money. Then boom a month later the same thing. So at this point im calling no one is answering they ignored me so I called the customer service on the truck to complain. I had to get rentals and everything with the same problem it is over a year later. No answer and nobody called back nothing. I parked my truck for months and yesterday June 24th the lights came on again. I have heard alot of my friends and family say they have a chevy vehicle and they did/do the same thing.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11669335

Power train

9 reports1 crash
“Transmission, vehicle stops functioning without notice on the road while driving acceleration stops. The problem was confirmed to be a transmission failure by chevrolet. The inspection was done by chevrolet to confirm the transmission has failed. The vehicle started to jump when sitting still and the drive train for 2wheel/4whell did stop working it only allowed the vehicle to be moved in 2whell drive. This happened after the vehicle went over 100k miles and when I took it to chevrolet they said nothing was wrong with it, they said "it's an old car". When the car is driven over 35/40mph the vehicle now shakes along with it stopping to function while driving. Even with chevrolet verifying that the transmission is bad(which is the recall on Tahoe models from the same year of production) they refuse to acknowledge it is all models unless it's on a specific list of vin numbers. They refuse to replace the transmission recall at no cost according to the current recall that was done already for this year make and model. I've had all engine tune up maintenance requirements done and have not missed any vehicle scheduled maintenance this vehicle year make and model is on…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11587178

Electronic stability control (esc)

8 reports1 crash
“JULY 16TH, 2019 MY 2013 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OF TOTAL LOSS. TRAVEL SPEEDS WERE 30 MPH. IN ATTEMPTS TO STOP DUE TO VEHICLES TRAVELING IN FRONT OF MINE HAD COME TO ABRUPT STOPS MY BRAKES FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STOPPING WHILE STRAIGHT LINE STEERING. THUS I WAS FORCED TO STEER LEFT TO AVOID COLLISION. MY BRAKES WERE QUICKLY APPLIED, MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND WITH MINIMAL BRAKING. THERE WAS COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, CLIPPING THEIR DRIVER SIDE REAR BUMPER TO MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CORNER FENDER PEALING IT BACK LIKE A CAN OPENER. THIS HAPPENED ON A STATE HWY. THE STABILITRAC INDICATOR AND SERVICE BRAKES HAD APPEARED ON AND OFF IN THE VEHICLES DIC INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE PAST MONTH. NO CODES PRESENT. THE VEHICLE HAD NEW BRAKES (ROTORS, PADS AND BRAKE FLUID), 43 DAYS PRIOR. IT HAD 138,627 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. 1) WE ARE LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT. 2) FOR A VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED FOR $61K AND PAID OFF, 6 YEARS LATER LOSSES 2/3 OF ITS PURCHASED VALUE. 3) HAVE NOW HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE AND BACK TO BEING $20K IN THE HOLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11255836
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.