2020 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Engine · FL

On October 20th, 2026, I was driving the vehicle (a 2020 Tahoe with 74081 miles on it) in highway traffic at approximately 55 mph when with no warning an engine message lit up as the vehicle had a sudden loss of power. This put myself and others at risk of a serious crash.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Engine · TX

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 to have it towed to Platinum Chevrolet in Terrell, Texas, which did the inspection and water pump replacement. $1600.00. No clue what caused it other than bad workmanship. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · HI

I got in my vehicle and turned it on. Once on, it asked me to roll down my passenger side window and roll it back up. I thought that was odd, but did so. My vehicle had completely reset. The clocks were not correct and none of our controls were set. I reset everything, but thought that was weird. A few days later, my husband and son were coming home from a 5-hour trip and as they were turning into our driveway, thank God they were home, the vehicle completely turned off and shut down. The brakes locked up and they came to a complete stop. We lived on a really busy road and this could have been extremely dangerous. My husband quickly turned the vehicle back on and parked in the driveway, but as soon as he parked, it shut completely off again. This is extremely dangerous, because what if they would’ve been on the highway going at a fast rate of speed? I called the dealership where we had bought the vehicle and brought it in, but was unable to keep it there for days due to our schedule. I’ve since had it looked at twice and they haven’t been able to figure out why it did this. However, I turned it on the other day and it sounded like it wouldn’t turn over. I tried it again and it turned on after clicking again, but this time my entire console screen and buttons wouldn’t work and on the dash it read “service anti theft system”. Everything was reset again. We own this vehicle and have spent our hard earned money on it and I’m terrified to drive it because I have kids in the car almost all the time. It’s currently in the shop again and they are going to have it for multiple days to try and figure out why this is happening.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Engine · WA

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 loss of vehicle propulsion, creating a severe safety hazard on public roads.General Motors has already issued Safety Recall N252494001 (the federal safety agency Campaign 24V924000) for identical L87 engine bearing failures, but has arbitrarily limited the scope to 2021–2024 model years. My 2020 vehicle uses the exact same L87 engine family and has suffered the exact same catastrophic defect.I am filing this report to urge the federal safety agency to expand its current Engineering Analysis (RQ26001) and force General Motors to expand the safety recall to include 2020 model year vehicles before more consumers experience sudden engine failure while driving."

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · LA

The dealership where I get my 2020 Chevy Tahoe service, stated that there is a recall for the water pump for the 2020 Chevy Tahoe, due to a manufactory defect, causing the water pump to leak. On XXX, mileage 62,777, I had to replace my water pump for that same reason, but my vehicle was not part of the recall; therefore, paying for a placement water pump myself. The dealership is Musson Patout Automotive Group/GMC, 214 West Hwy 90 Frontage Road, New Iberia, LA 70560, [XXX]. I am requesting that my vehicle be added to the recall list, due to this oversite. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

On June 17th, 2025 while driving from [XXX] back to my home state of [XXX] , I experienced an engine malfunction in Chester, Va where the 6.2 L87 engine was shaking and had severe hesitation. It was diagnosed by the Chevrolet dealership in Chester, VA as suffering severe failure of ALL 8 fuel injectors, fuel rails and connector harnesses, resulting in a 15 day repair wait and a $4,644.50 bill not including other expenses such as lodging/car rental. At this time my vehicle had 52,182 miles. After this I attempted for 3 months for GM to cover the repair as the vehicle was less than 5 years old and less than 60,000 miles under the 5 yr/60K warranty but denied it. On March 26th, 2026 while driving on the parkway at about 60 mph, my vehicle experienced loss of power (slow deceleration, shaking/hesitation) and I immediately took it to the repair shop where it was diagnosed as a P0308 code (misfire on cylinder 8) which caused a repair of the #8 spark plug, ignition coil and wire resulting in a $380. repair. Two days later, I experienced the same issue and then took it to an engine diagnostic specialty shop where I have been told that this issue will run about $4,000 due to valve and comprehension issues on an engine that has 60, 680 miles. I have seen numerous L87 engine complaints on Chevy Forums with no assurances that repairs or engine replacement will rectify the issue and feel that this is an issue that GM should be addressing for safety issues and an economic loss to its customers. I am hoping that your investigators can help the many people that have been left stranded by this incompetence and lack of admission of GM's part. Repair invoices available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Engine · WI

I sent this to GM Corporate on 2/12/2025: I'm writing regarding the recall on certain 2020 Chevy Tahoe transmissions. My husband is meticulous with his vehicles including all regular service updates and recommended appointments. It literally looks like it came off the showroom floor 5 years after buying it. Unfortunately, when returning on a trip our vehicle suddenly increased rpm's and wouldn't respond while going 65 miles per hour. Thankfully, it reengaged, and we were okay but imagine what could have happened! We managed to get it home, but while attempting to back up it wouldn't shift. We had to have it towed and have been told our transmission is SHOT! It will cost us over $7000 to replace?!! We attempted to call the GM customer service number to Complain and see if they could provide some help. They put us in touch with a service manager in our area whose voicemail was full and took a week to connect with. She basically said there is nothing she can do as it is within the 5 years but over on miles. So, here we sit with a vehicle we have babied for 4.9 years that needs a new transmission. I am asking for you to listen. Asking for you to expand the investigation/recall to include ALL 2020 (or related) vehicles. Something isn't adding up, and you are leaving customers who have paid off their $60,000 vehicle stuck with more $$ to pay because of an about defect. This could have killed us. It literally froze while we were driving, and now we are without a vehicle waiting for a new transmission. We have never had issues with the transmission before. How does a transmission just go? Definite defect!

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Engine · CA

We have the L86 6.2L EcoTech 3 Engine. at 85,000 miles we noticed the oil pan is leaking and rear main seal is leaking. Both are common issues with the L87 engine as well.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Engine · OH

I was driving in traffic with 8 kids from my football team on a busy street and my truck start jerking and wouldn’t accelerate much. I was going 35 mph and the truck just slows down in the middle of driving. Then as I pulled over thick white smoke comes from the tail pipe. Thank god it was a Sunday and the busy street wasn’t as busy and I was able to pull over safely because this happen while I was driving. I got the truck to autozone and they gave me a misfire code in cylinder 1. I sent my truck to dealership and spoke with them on the phone and they was able to tell me everything going on with my truck without even having to tell them all the issues happening. They looked at the truck and said I had an internal engine issue. I was advised this a well known problem with my type of truck. I reached out to Gm and asked them why haven’t it been a recall on my truck if this is a well known issue with my vehicle after talking with many mechanics. No answer was specifically provided. I’ve been trying to get them to do what’s right and repair the engine but I’m getting the run around. I’ve reached out to over 5 mechanics and a shops and have been told this is a well known problem was trying to see the cost. Once I found out this was well known it made me contact General Motors. I don’t think it’s fair this is a known issue with 5.3L engine and it hasn’t been a recall. It is unsafe to be driving and the engine just fails on you in the middle of traffic. What if I was on the freeway? My truck is at a Gm dealership right now and Gm and the dealership is refusing cost assistance on a well known engine failure problem. These vehicles need a recall on them that would of been 9 lives at risk because this problem hasn’t been addressed by the manufacturer it was scary when it happen because I was on a busy street.

Filed Apr 12, 2025 · Engine · MI

Zero warnings. Driving one day and the vehicle started shaking and running very hard even when just in idle. Dealership has determined engine failure, due to piston one failing and braking off into engine. Car has had routine oil changes and maintenance. Has not been inspected by manufacturer. GM is not assisting.