On September 5, 2026, at approximately 7:18 p.m. Pacific Time, a 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8 engine and approximately 18,000 miles experienced a sudden catastrophic failure while the engine was running. There were two occupants. A distinct pop was heard. The engine immediately lost power and multiple dashboard warning lights/messages began flashing. Within approximately 20-30 seconds, smoke and an electrical-burning odor were noticed. The vehicle was shut off manually and both occupants exited. Flames were first observed toward the rear of the engine compartment. The fire spread extremely rapidly, and the vehicle was substantially engulfed within approximately two minutes and completely destroyed. The sudden loss of propulsion created a crash risk, and the rapid fire placed both occupants at risk of serious injury or death. No physical injuries were reported. The precise failed component and fire origin have not yet been determined. The vehicle had received an oil change from an independent service facility within approximately 30 days before the incident. The cause has not been confirmed by GM, a dealer, or an independent fire expert. The vehicle is involved in an active insurance total-loss claim; inspection should be coordinated promptly before the salvage is released, dismantled, sold, or destroyed. More than 100 photographs and several videos taken during and after the fire are available. A fire department report is pending. Because the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis EA26005 includes 2021-2026 GM vehicles equipped with the L87 engine and later-produced engines outside Recall 25V‑274, please associate this complaint with that investigation and evaluate whether an L87 engine failure initiated the fire.
2025 Chevrolet Tahoe: sudden loss of power
5 of the 53 complaints about the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
***SAFETY/DANGER*** On April 12th at around 5:30 p.m. my family of five, to include three minor children were returning home from visiting family which live about an hour and a half away and as we're traveling on the freeway at highway speeds, in traffic, our new Tahoe unexpectedly and without warning went into reduced power mode and cut speed down to approximately 35 MPH in active traffic, which out my family and every other car around me in danger and in jeopardy of causing a collision and even worse, a multiple car pile-up as I dodged full speed traffic in front and behind me while traveling at approximately half their speed. I managed to exit the freeway and heard a loud knocking noise from the engine and saw the reduced power mode indicator, all of which had not happened before but again, the Tahoe is relatively new and was just over 5 months and at 8,889 miles at failure. I proceeded to contact GM roadside assistance. They sent a tow truck and I had to make arrangements for my family to return home, an hour away. I made it to the dealership with the tow truck driver after 9 p.m. ***CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE**" After the dealership inspected close to a week later they did determine that the entire engine and turbocharger had to be replaced, which they did in a little over a month, the dealership did their part but confidence is lost. Now I am hesitant to drive the Tahoe as it's the family vehicle but really put my kids, wife, myself and everyone around us on the road in danger as it, out of nowhere, cut speed drastically in active highway traffic.
Vehicle power loss, some shaking with no warning lights on dashboard. Dealer confirmed it was engine failure.
While I was driving, my vehicle suddenly lost all power I encountered a misfire with the engine light flashing, and diagnostic codes P0353 and P0300 indicated a misfire on cylinder three. The coil pack and spark plugs for that cylinder were replaced, yet issues persist and problems continue. There is a strange popping and cracking noise coming from my dash. My brakes are also making it loud sound randomly when pressing on breaks yet brake pads are fine
My 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 3.0L LZO Duramax with approx. 3,380 miles experienced a sudden and complete engine failure while towing my camper on the interstate at night, in the rain, while traveling alone 375 miles from home. The vehicle lost power, displayed warnings, and became inoperable, forcing me onto the shoulder in unsafe conditions. The engine has been diagnosed as requiring full replacement due to a defective crank end play / thrust bearing, under Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-NA-307. This is a significant safety concern for a new vehicle and could have caused a crash. GM has multiple documented issues with this model year, and the car has also experienced unresolved infotainment defects, as outlined in TSB #PIT6393F. Requesting the federal safety agency to investigate a potential safety defect.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer...
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000...
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California...
- This bulletin provides a procedure to install an exhaust donut if found the
- This bulletin provides information of possible fuel injector harness electrical connector terminal having...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe?
5 of 53 owner complaints about the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe (9%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe?
There are 0 recalls and 24 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe
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