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2020 Chevrolet Tahoe: engine failure

6 of the 58 complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe describe engine failure.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
10%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 177 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

What owners say

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 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 Feb 18, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Lifter failed on my Chevy Tahoe 6.2L engine at ~75K miles in September 2025. One lifter bank was replaced. No reason for lifter failure was given. Less than 5 months later the other lifter bank has failed and damaged the cam shaft. Again, no reason for failure was provided. Failed lifters can cause catastrophic engine failure, which is incredibly dangerous when the vehicle is in motion. No check engine lights or and warnings occur with the lifter failure, it is only identified by the driver through the tapping noise from the engine. Even a cursory review of forums and complaints reveals that lifter failure is widespread on this engine and that manufacturing defects have caused issues with this power train dating back to 2019, not just the recalled 2021-2024 models.

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.

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · Engine · IL

this year vehicle is also part of the engine problem GM is experiencing with the V8 Engines. I purchased this vehicle in January 2024. With less than 40k miles on it. I drove it for approx 2 months and the entire engine seized up. I was told by the Chevy Dealership that GM is aware of the engine problems on these V8 Engines and did not issue a recall. It took GM over 9 weeks to send me a new engine. In which 6 weeks they had me rent a vehicle and then finally allowed the dealership to give me a rental from their lot. I had to wait several weeks to be reimbursed for the rental, and pay my high car payment during this time, without having my vehicle in my possession. I have asked for reimbursement on my car payments, and they denied it. My car seized up while doing 35 MPH on a road near my house thankfully, but it is a danger that they knew about, and did not recall these motors. I could have been driving over 65 miles on the highway and this could have happened, causing extreme danger to me and my children.

Questions about the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe engine failure

Is engine failure a common problem on the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe?

6 of 58 owner complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe (10%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2023.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe?

There are 0 recalls and 177 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe

Check engine light 7Loss of power 5Transmission failure 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Tahoe

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