2018 Chevrolet Tahoe: engine failure

6 of the 106 complaints about the 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 6%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 225 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2026
12
2025
13
2024
19
2023
75
2022
32
2021
56
2020
6
2019
7
2018
6
2017
1
2016
6
2015
11
2014
1
2013
2
2012
1
2008
2
2007
7
2005
4
2004
5
2003
2
2002
1
2001
2
1999
6
1998
2
1996
5

What owners say

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Engine · 113,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the lifters and cam shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine · NH

Complete Engine failure due to the camshaft being destroyed. Dealership said it was due to the lifters.

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Engine · 104,163 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and abruptly slowed down and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the SMR lifter and the engine failed. The contact called the local dealer who informed her that the parts were back ordered but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 104,163.

Filed Oct 15, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · PA

A lifter collapsed, which in turn damaged the lobes of a piston, which then damaged the camshaft...generating a repair bill of $7,100 per the dealer. The vehicle only has 69,200 miles on it. When the lifter failed, the car shuddered at stops, lost some power and made a noticeable clanking noise. When pulling out from stops, or into traffic, the car hesitated somewhat before accelerating. This creates a very dangerous situation. Also, if more lifters or the camshaft seized up at higher speeds, a driver could experience a potentially fatal situation from an uncontrollable vehicle or a fire. Research shows that Chevy/GM knew about the lifter problem on 5.3 ltr engines with their AFM system for years and sold them anyway. They apparently have never solved the problem, and it still exists today. Several class action lawsuits have been lodged against them for the lifter failure problem. Aside from the serious potential safety issues, an expensive vehicle like my Tahoe should not be expected to incur a $7,100 repair bill when it's only 4 years old and has less then 70,000 miles on it. That's ridiculous. My wife and I are both retired. We will be tapping our retirement account to pay for this shoddy Chevy product and will worry that it just might occur again, after the fix. From a safety standpoint, a stall, loss of power, or engine seizure at speed will tax our quick response reflexes. The known lifter problem is a legitimate safety situation and needs to be addressed before someone is seriously injured or killed...if they haven't already. Thank you for listening.

Filed May 9, 2022 · Engine · 22,949 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Recently, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was notified of the diagnosis and the dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 22,949.

Filed Aug 26, 2021 · Brakes · AZ

As I drove the 2018 Chevy Tahoo the brakes got really hard to press and would no longer stop. I was finally able to get it to stop and moved off the road. The vehicle was towed to the AutoNation Chevrolet Mesa Dealership (6330 Superstition Springs Blvd. Mesa, AZ 85206). I was told that the vacuum pump seized causing the brake belt to break. I was told by another mechanic that there is a recall on the hydraulic vacuum pump breaking system....... As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.