2026 Chevrolet Tahoe: sudden loss of power

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine · GA

At approximately 4,200 miles, the engine on my 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country equipped with the 6.2L V8 suddenly shut off while the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light. There were no warning lights, messages, unusual noises, or other symptoms prior to the failure. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership. The dealership initially suspected a camshaft/lifter or related engine issue and performed diagnostic and mechanical testing. The dealer also opened a case with General Motors. GM subsequently directed the dealership to perform an ECM software update. After the update, the engine started and the vehicle appeared to operate normally. As part of the dealer's post-repair testing, a dealership employee drove the vehicle to confirm the issue was resolved. After approximately 7–10 miles, the vehicle suffered another engine failure while being driven and again became inoperable. The problem was therefore reproduced and confirmed by the Chevrolet dealership. Following the second failure, GM authorized replacement of the complete engine. The dealership has received a brand-new replacement engine and is replacing the engine and radiator. The original engine/component is currently at the dealership and may be available for inspection. I consider this a serious safety concern because the engine failed without warning while the vehicle was in use. Had the initial failure occurred while traveling at highway speed or in heavy traffic rather than while stopped at a traffic light, the sudden loss of engine power could have created a significant risk of a collision. The vehicle is a 2026 model with approximately 4,200 miles. I am reporting this because of the extremely low mileage at which the engine failed, the absence of any warning before the failure, and the fact that the vehicle failed a second time shortly after GM's initial attempted remedy.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · SD

While driving the vehicle at highway speeds the vehicle starts to lurch or randomly lose power. Eventually, within a few minutes, the lurching gets worse and the check engine light starts flashing. In a GM vehicle, a flashing check engine light is critical engine failure. After pulling the vehicle to the side of the road, the check engine light stops flashing and stays on constantly. After about 10-15 minutes, the check engine light turns off completely. The GM dealership can read the history and says it's P0300 error code for General Engine Misfire in cylinder #6. GM warranty refuses to fix anything because the light isn't on when the car comes into the dealership. The car has been to two different dealerships, with both of them telling me it has the same error code. GM customer service told me without the check engine light being on when the vehicle is brought into the dealership, they would not be able to help me. This is being told to me even though everyone agrees that the check engine light has been on. I was told by GM to continue to drive the vehicle. It has been into the shop 4 times since January for the same issue. This is not safe as the engine has suffered a critical issue. I don't feel safe driving the vehicle. My GM Customer Service case is 110460594.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Engine · NY

Engine started "ticking" for a bit. Then sounded like marbles were in the engine. Loss of power and engine light came on. Dealer says my 6.2 engine failed and new one needed. Less than 9000 well cared for miles!

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Fuel system · 129 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that two hours after parking the vehicle in the garage and turning off the vehicle, there was excessive heat coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle was extremely hot to the touch above the wheel well. Due to the heat coming from the vehicle, the contact stated that it was difficult to breathe while inside the garage. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but no failure was found with the vehicle. Later, while driving the vehicle, the vehicle lost power, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the nearby dealer and was diagnosed with a fuel pump module and fuel pump hose failure. The contact was informed that the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129.

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Engine · CT

I purchased a new 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe approximately five months ago, and it currently has only 11,300 miles. Unfortunately, while driving on the highway last night, the 6.2L engine suffered a catastrophic failure. Seconds before the failure, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle immediately lost power while traveling at highway speed, creating a significant safety concern for both my family and other motorists. The vehicle is currently available for inspection. I am waiting for General Motors to advise which dealership the Tahoe should be towed to for diagnosis and repair. While I understand the vehicle is covered under the factory warranty, experiencing a catastrophic engine failure on a five-month-old vehicle with only 11,300 miles has significantly diminished my confidence in it. I purchased this Tahoe expecting years of dependable service, not a major engine replacement within the first few months of ownership.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Engine · FL

After driving the vehicle for 5000 miles, the check engine light appeared. We brought the vehicle to dealership and were told that a cylinder was mistimed. They replaced a bank of lifters and returned the vehicle to us. A few weeks later, the check engine light reappeared and we noticed the engine was making some odd sounds. It wa brought back to the dealership and they replaced the fuel pump and hose. The vehicle was returned to us but the check engine light reappeared. The dealership stated that they couldn’t reproduce the problem after testing. The vehicle was returned to us but we noticed that it would periodically lose power upon driving and would have lurching sensation while driving. The check engine light came on intermittently and it is now being brought back to them for the fourth time.

Filed May 15, 2026 · Engine · NY

On 05/01/26 while driving on New York State Thruway route 90 east, my check engine light came on. Almost simultaneously the vehicle began to lose speed and I could not accelerate. As I pulled over I could hear a loud clunky noise. The vehicle would not start and was dead on the side of the thruway. Eventually the vehicle was towed to the dealership I purchased it from where they told me "there is a loose part in the engine and the engine needs to be replaced". Sudden power loss of the vehicle represents a safety risk especially traveling at 65mph. To my knowledge the vehicle has been inspected by only the dealership. On 3/17/26 I alerted the dealership I purchased the vehicle from that I heard a ticking in the engine once in a while when I auto started the vehicle. I was told I would receive a call from servicing but never did.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Engine · PA

I am writing to formally file a safety complaint regarding a catastrophic engine failure in my 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with a 6.2L engine. The vehicle had approximately 9,640 miles at the time of failure. On March 21, 2026, while driving on a highway, the engine failed suddenly and without warning, creating an unsafe and potentially dangerous situation. The vehicle lost power and had to be towed from the highway to Colussy Chevrolet for inspection and repair. On March 22, 2026, the dealership confirmed that the engine required full replacement and stated that a new engine had been ordered, with an expected arrival date of March 30. I specifically requested that a new engine be installed, given the extremely low mileage and severity of the failure. Approximately one week later, I followed up and was told the engine was still scheduled to arrive on March 30. However, on March 30, I was informed that the order status had changed to “under evaluation,” and the Service Manager indicated that the replacement engine would likely be a remanufactured unit instead of a new one. On April 1, 2026, I contacted General Motors Customer Support to escalate the issue and reiterated my request for a new engine, as well as requested a loaner vehicle due to the loss of use of my vehicle. A representative opened Case #92297395 and advised that the issue had been referred to the Parts Delay Department, with a promised follow-up within 24 hours. On April 2, 2026, the dealership informed me there was no change in status and that while they intended to provide a loaner vehicle, none were available. As of April 6, 2026, I have not received a loaner vehicle or any follow-up regarding availability. On April 6, 2026, I received a call from a General Motors Customer Assistance representative stating that there are ongoing delays related to both the engine and radiator, with no estimated timeline for repair completion.

Filed Mar 25, 2026 · Engine · NJ

While driving down [XXX] the car started making a weird noise as we slowed down for an upcoming light. The light changed and as we started to drive again the check engine light came on and I lost power steering. I was trying to navigate the car off towards the shoulder but the car was hard to maneuver, but was able to move into the right lane. I had to drive the car slowly as to not stop the engine propulsion and stalling. But had no luck once we reached the intersection on [XXX] and [XXX] . At this point the car just died. Nothing was working. Hazard lights didn’t even work at one point. This situation left me and my family in the middle of traffic on a busy highway road. The only thing we had in our favor was the car stoped right at a red light so traffic would have to slow down every so often to the stoplight. We had to have the car towed off the road at around midnight and they took it to the dealership. The engine had a complete failure (found out after the dealership took apart the engine). The email stated: A further oil sample confirmed excessive metal throughout the engine at this point we proceeded with disassembly to identify the source of the failure. After removing the oil pan and inspecting internal components, we found internal engine damage. Specifically, the connecting rod bearing on cylinder 5 had failed, causing significant scoring to the crankshaft, camshaft, and related engine components. The engine has experienced a major internal failure due to the failed rod bearing, resulting in internal damage. Because of the severity of this condition, internal components are not serviceable individually. So the Engine replacement would be required. This car is only 3.5 months old, and other than a safety switch that was a manufacture issue we had to have fixed there were no other warnings my engine was going to die and leave me in the middle of the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · KS

We were traveling over 70mph on a Kansa state turnpike near Wellington, Ks. and all drive power was lost! Luckily, being in the right lane we then had to coast to the right ditch lane. We saw a message on driver’s info screen “service transmission”. Tried to shift off drive and back on..nothing. So, we shut the engine off and restarted and the message stayed on but we power managed to drive over 20 miles to a Wichita Kansas Chevy dealer called Davis Moore Chevrolet (recommended by first stop, Derby Kansas Chevy Co,) for solution. Gentleman did a shift on off key removed etc and the”service transmission” light turned off and we continued to drive to Kansas City. This is very dangerous!! We are now afraid it may happen again!! Losing all power while on road is dangerous!! Please respond to recommendations to driving this Tahoe and immediately send recall to us !! One should be issued. Also,let our repair dealer in Blue Springs Mo Molle Chevrolet know as we will be going there for repair needed on this brand new 3,000 mile Chevy.