The suspension system on the 2022 Tahoe has been defective. It started as a creaking noise we took for repair, the dealership said it was a strut. Creaking noise continued took to another shop they said creaking came from ball joints being bad. The service transmission light comes on and off, service safety restraints, screen goes black and does not respond. Take to dealership multiple times to fix issues but they still continue
Chevrolet Tahoe ball joint problems
38 of the 10,079 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Tahoe describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 38
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 51,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Steering noise 2Steering lock-up 2Knocking 2Engine failure 2Grinding brakes 2Whining noise 1Transmission failure 1Pulling 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the transmission was replaced. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer while driving 10-15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but was significantly firm and failed to respond. The contact drove into a curb and struck a parking sign pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the failure exacerbated pre-existing injuries. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to restart the vehicle and depress the brake pedal to verify whether the brake pedal was operable. The contact followed the dealer's instructions, and the brake pedal responded as needed; however, the vehicle was towed to the residence because the contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the vacuum pump; however, the failure recurred while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lifters had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Midway Chevrolet Plainwell Auto Dealer (381 12th St, Plainwell, MI 49080), where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump wires, the transfer case oil and seal, the engine oil coolant hose, the valve cover gasket, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that the ball joints needed to be replaced, and an alignment needed to be performed. The dealer also determined that the air ride compressor was noisy. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a third dealer, Heritage Chevrolet, Inc. (350 W Dickman Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49037), where it was diagnosed with an oil leak.
The vehicle experienced a catastrophic control arm failure at low speed while turn left onto a residential street. the brake line severed, the wheel began to roll under the drivers side of the vehichle.
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the front passenger’s side tire detached. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ball joints had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted, and the driver's side ball joints also fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver's side ball joints fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while turning left or right, there was a grinding and scratching sound coming from underneath the front-end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the wheel was rubbing against the wheel well. The dealer completed a tire adjustment. The contact noticed over time that the tread on the front tires had been wearing very quickly. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who determined that the lower control arms had failed. The lower control arms were replaced, and the front wheels were re-aligned. The failure persisted causing the contact to have the wheels aligned 6 to 8 times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
While barely moving, (about 2 mph), in a parking lot & preparing to make a sharp left turn, knuckle of driver's side wheel assembly suddenly broke, causing the wheel assembly to collapse, wheel top tilted inward and bottom tilted outward, causing major damage to upper and lower control arms, tie rod and significant body damage to two body parts at the wheel opening. Mechanic reported that there had been very excessive ‘play’ before the collapse At 86,000 miles, this is a very low-mileage for this degree of wear and complete failure, on a full-size, PPV SUV, with many heavy-duty features, designed to tolerate high stress usage. FORTUATELY, the car was barely rolling. If this had happened 5 minutes later, I would have been driving 65 mph and this would have caused a catastrophic wreck, could have involved several other cars, and could have injured or even killed many people. I am now very concerned about the condition of the knuckle on the passenger side. It could be developing microscopic cracks that would only be observable with X-ray. ESPECIALLY with this defect being on a very popular police model, Highway Patrol PPV vehicle, more failures will endanger many people.
Hello, I purchased my truck last year in December and I told them the problems I was having with the truck when I got. They act like they fixed it but it’s still doing the same thing. I’ve put struts on it and control arms 3 times and it still is giving me problems. My suspension and driver assist warnings always pop up. When I get up to 85 mph, they truck shakes really bad and the speed won’t go over 85 mph. When I got brakes, the trucks pulls to the left and right which I know that could mean a line up but even after I line it up, it still does the same thing. I feel like it’s a defect with the suspension and driver assist systems with those model trucks. I love my truck and really don’t want to get rid of it. I’ve taken my truck to my dealership several times and I don’t want my warranty to run out before I can get my truck fixed. Can you help at all???
My right side wheel feels like it’s going to fall off and indicate the abs and emergency parking brake. I believe it’s a wheel hub bearing that’s coming loose or tie rods I’m not sure and One time the emergency parking brake engage on me and I had to pull over to the side and wasn’t able to drive it. When I turn on the engine or driving , idling I smell gasoline really bad
I bought my chevy tahoe in 2012.when I bought this vehicle,this vehicle had 20 inch tires that came with it.because of the larger,low profile tires,this has caused a bumpy ride and has caused many repairs to the front end suspension.I have changed the ball joints a few times,wheel hubs,front shocks,steering column ujoint,and constantly getting front end alignments.when I go over bumps,my truck shifts to either left or right.I decided in 2020 to changed my tires to a different make and model thinking this would correct problem.it didnt correct problem.I have spent alot of money for nothing
In may 2018, our upper control arm assemblies were loose and making noises when driving over bumps. We took the car to les schwab and they found failure of both front control arms. The upper and lower ball joints were loose as well beyond what would be expected. They required use of our extended warranty to repair the defects.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
- Risk
- A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006; and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.
Recall number 23V642000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
- Risk
- Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Recall number 16V256000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and gmc canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
- Risk
- The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 11V007000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Tahoe ball joint
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (6 complaints), 2015 (5 complaints) and 1999 (3 complaints).
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