2021 Chevrolet Tahoe: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Engine · TX

I am submitting this complaint to the federal safety agency regarding a sudden engine failure in my 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with a 6.2L V8 engine, which posed a serious safety risk. I was driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph with cruise control engaged. Suddenly, the vehicle lost all power, disengaging the cruise control, and the check engine light began flashing rapidly. I managed to exit the highway safely. While stopped at a traffic light, preparing to turn into a nearby repair shop, the car started shaking violently from side to side, making it difficult to control. I took the vehicle to a Firestone shop and a local Chevrolet dealer, both of which diagnosed massive engine failure and indicated that the engine will most likely need to be replaced. The symptoms I experienced—sudden loss of power at highway speeds, flashing check engine light, and violent shaking—are in line with issues reported in other GM 6.2L engines that have been recalled.  For whatever reason, my 2021 Tahoe, which falls in the middle of the affected model years for these recalls (e.g., GM recall N252494001 for 2021-2024 vehicles with 6.2L V8 engines due to defects in connecting rods and crankshafts leading to engine damage and loss of propulsion), is not included under the broader GM 6.2L engine recall,  although I experienced very similar issues. The biggest safety concern was the engine essentially losing power at highway speeds, which could have led to a crash. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate and expand coverage if necessary to ensure public safety.

Filed May 1, 2025 · Driver assistance, Transmission · GA

1st. While driving at highway speeds my vehicle disengaged from adaptive cruise control when no cars were in view of sensors. However, cars were behind me, making it a little scary. Happened once but I haven't had my vehicle to know if it would happen again. 2nd. Car has a vibration at speeds of 30 to 40 mph. Vehicle has literally been at dealership since February 10th, 2025 with no eta for valve body in sight.

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · PA

It’s happened about 10 times since I’ve owned the car but the dealer can’t recreate it so we are out of luck. The vehicle accelerates on its own. Scenario 1…with constant light steady acceleration, it will lurch forward like I’ve stomped on the accelerator a bit, for about a second then go back to my normal input. Scenario 2, same lurch but this time while coming to a stop at a stop sign WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ONLY. scenario 3…I’ve been using the adaptive cruise control and had it disengaged by braking, coming to a stop, then parking and turning the vehicle off. Then after getting back in and starting up and slowly pulling forward, the cruise control suddenly and abruptly renegages and attempts to accelerate to the last demanded setpoint. Image this scenario pulling out of a spot at a crowded gas station with pedestrians. I almost ran someone the hell over just now at the gas station and I’ve had enough. The dealer won’t do anything and when I called Chevy engineering they put zero effort into it, it was a 20 second phone call stating if it can’t be reproduced at the dealer there’s nothing they can do. This is absolutely completely 100% dangerous and unacceptable

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Driver assistance · 10,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking and stopped suddenly. The adaptive cruise control warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Acceleration, Transmission · 14,608 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH with the adaptive cruise control activated, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. The contact indicated that after the adaptive cruise control reduced the speed due to a nearby vehicle instead of resuming the intended speed, the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the busy highway and would not restart. The tow truck was called to the scene and discovered that the transmission could not be shifted into neutral(N). The vehicle had to be dragged onto the flatbed of the tow truck. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,608.

Filed May 14, 2021 · Lights · 20,000 miles · AZ

I was driving east bound on I-10 in southwest arizona at about midnight at 75 MPH with cruise control when both headlights suddenly went out; visibility was suddenly zero. I pulled back on the bright lever and my brights came on giving me vision. I checked the lights knob and the lights were turned off. I turned the lights on and they functioned normally. On analysis later I think when I moved my flexed knee toward the door my knee contacted the lower part of the light knob and turned the lights to the off position. The lights knob is lower and closer to the center compared to other previous tahoes I have owned making it easier for the driver's knee to make contact with the lights knob so the lights can accidently be turned off. I solved the zero visibility in a few seconds. If it would have taken me 5 or 10 or more seconds I could have been killed. Drivers of this 2021 tahoe should be warned that their knee could turn their lights off and that if that does happen pulling the bright lever or turning the light knob back on can correct the problem. In the future this light knob should be changed; putting it higher and more toward the door would be better or anywhere it can't be accidently turned to the off position. This is extremely dangerous and people could be killed! Please warn the drivers of the 2021 tahoe and any other vehicles with similar light switch designs and make corrections with the light knob in the 2021 tahoe and vehicles with similar designed light switches.

Filed Feb 22, 2021 · Driver assistance · 980 miles · NH

Took delivery of vehicle on friday, january 29th, 2021. While driving home from plymouth, ma to concord, nh, I was using the adaptive cruise control. I was traveling between 65mph and 70mph. Roads were completely dry, there were no other cars near me, and there were no obstacles in front of me. I was traveling in the middle lane of a three lane highway. Out of nowhere, the brakes were forcefully applied by the computer which nearly brought the vehicle to a stop in the middle of the interstate. After reaching my destination I noticed that the camera in the driver side mirror was not functioning. Contacted dealer the following day and returned back to dealership to have the vehicle repaired (nearly 2 hour drive). Dealer stated that the issue with the camera and the issue with the automatic braking were related. Picked vehicle up on february 8th after vehicle was supposedly fixed. Arrived home and discovered same issue with camera not functioning. Took to dealer in concord, nh to try to repair again on 2/15/21 and picked up on same day. Dealer found loose pin in connector. Dealer stated that the camera had been replaced in october 2020 before I even owned the vehicle, so someone knew this was an issue. Took vehicle on a drive on 2/17/21. Alert on dash now says 'service driver assist system.' I do not feel safe driving this vehicle and my wife does not feel comfortable driving it or letting our twin 3 year old boys ride in it. I have a case open with general motors on this but they have declined to help with exchanging the vehicle. I'm thankful that nobody was riding with me and that no cars were around and that it was not slick when the braking incident occurred because it certainly would have caused an accident. Please help me.