Chevrolet Tahoe battery drain problems

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Electrical · OH

Car has a parasitic draw and is on its second battery in 3 years. The dealer can’t seem to fix the issue and shows little concern to find the issue. Dangerous to get stranded somewhere or in the cold. It’s erratic when it decides to kill the battery and not safe.

Filed May 24, 2026 · Electrical · AL

I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect regarding the OnStar Telematics Control Module in my 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country VIN: [XXX] . My vehicle was recently diagnosed by SERRA CHEVROLET as having a failed module, which has rendered numerous essential features inoperative. This is not an isolated incident; there is clear evidence of a widespread failure affecting thousands of GM and Chevrolet owners. The failure of this module creates significant safety risks, including: * Loss of Emergency Services: The OnStar SOS button and automatic crash response are disabled, leaving me without a lifeline in the event of an accident. * Systemic Vehicle Malfunctions: This module is deeply integrated into the vehicle’s architecture. Its failure has caused [list your specific issues, e.g., "Check Engine" lights, heads-up display failure, and battery drainage]. * Disabled Connectivity: Core features I paid a premium for, such as navigation, remote start, and Wi-Fi, are now "bricked". It is unacceptable that a flagship $80,000+ vehicle is operating in a degraded and potentially dangerous state due to a known hardware defect. I am requesting that GM take immediate responsibility for this repair at no cost to me, regardless of warranty status, as this is a fundamental safety issue. Please provide a timeline on how GM intends to rectify this widespread defect. I look forward to your prompt response. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] 39,000 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Electrical · KY

I purchased a 2023 Chevy Tahoe in Oct 2025. Since then, I have been trying to figure out how to set up the myChevrolet app. The OnStar button doesn’t work so I called OnStar. After multiple calls, they told me that the account is linked to the previous owner and can’t be transferred because of a faulty telematics communications module. The faulty module is also causing the clock to run slow, which indicates battery drain is beginning. The OnStar module failure poses a huge safety and privacy risk. Safety concerns include battery failure that can cause me to be stranded and the fact that the previous owner has the ability to start my vehicle at any time, even while parked in my garage posing a risk to my family’s health/life with trapped carbon monoxide building up. Privacy concerns include the previous owners ability to track my vehicle, lock and unlock doors, access my contacts, call log, location, and more. This is a significant risk. The dealership should not have sold me a vehicle with a defective module without repairing it and now refuse to fix it. This should have been included in GMs factory recall for 2023 Tahoe TCU’s or a new recall should be issued. Consumers should not bear the burden to fix a widely known safety, health, and privacy risk.

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · TX

Electric Power Steering system issue after battery died and had to be jump started.

Filed Jan 3, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · FL

This vehicle has experienced multiple substantial defects, several of which directly endangered my family, including an infant, and rendered the vehicle unsafe and inoperable for extended periods despite warranty repairs. Summary of defects and failures: 1.Electronic door locking failure The vehicle experienced an electronic malfunction that caused the doors to randomly lock, resulting in my infant being locked inside the vehicle when we exited. This wiring defect was later repaired under warranty but represents a serious safety failure. 2.Fuel pump recall and highway breakdown While driving my family of six on a major highway over an hour from home, the recalled fuel pump failed while in motion, leaving us stranded on the side of the highway. We were forced to arrange an Uber for transportation. This incident placed my family in a dangerous situation and constitutes a major safety-related defect. 3.Transmission failure and extended inoperability The vehicle suffered a transmission failure that rendered it unsafe and inoperable. The dealership required over one week to schedule service and more than two additional weeks before the vehicle was inspected and repaired. The vehicle was out of safe driving condition for approximately one month. Upon return, the vehicle experienced additional failures, including a dead battery. 4.Known poor design defect – rear entertainment screens The rear entertainment system screens cracked due to a widely known poor design and placement issue, unrelated to misuse. 5.Rear headrest internal mechanism failure The internal mechanism of a rear headrest failed and requires replacement, further demonstrating ongoing quality and safety concerns. Due to the number, severity, and safety-related nature of these defects—combined with cumulative downtime exceeding 30 days—I have lost all confidence in this vehicle. I no longer consider it safe or reliable for transporting my family.

Filed Dec 7, 2025 · Electrical · IN

I'm submitting this complaint regarding an ongoing electrical defect on my 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. The vehicle has experienced repeated sudden battery drain & no-start events, occurring approximately once per week. These failures happen without warning, sometimes after the vehicle is parked for as little as 6 hrs. All dealer updates & software campaigns were completed. Despite this, the vehicle continued to suffer no-start events. After further troubleshooting, we removed fuse F35RA (which powers only the hands-free liftgate module). Once this fuse was removed, the issue immediately stopped — confirming that the parasitic draw originates from the liftgate module, consistent with GM Technical Service Bulletin 24-NA-039. This indicates a known electrical defect. This problem has caused multiple safety concerns: The vehicle has left my family stranded late at night. My husband works in Chicago & relies on this vehicle. A sudden no-start or complete electrical failure in that environment is dangerous. We were unable to transport our children to scheduled activities due to the vehicle being completely dead. Repeated deep discharges are damaging the battery we purchased only months ago. A family vehicle shouldn't unpredictably become inoperative. This is not normal wear — it's a safety-critical electrical defect that could strand owners in unsafe conditions, especially in winter climates. GM hasn't issued a recall for this issue despite issuing a TSB documenting the defective behavior. The frequency & severity of electrical failure suggest this should be investigated as a potential recall. I'm requesting the federal safety agency review this matter due to the safety implications & the repeated nature of the failures. Incidents: No-start after 6 hours parked at a friend’s home Multiple weekly no-start events before fuse removal Occurred before & after software updates were performed Location: Incidents occurred both at home & away from home. Thank you for reviewing this complaint.

Filed May 13, 2025 · Engine · IL

Purchased March 2022 Late October 2024-motor and a/c condenser had to be replaced November 2024- thermostat had to be replaced due to fan constanly running and draining the battery February 2025- thermostat line popped off and had to be replaced May 2025-Current- back at dealership due to engine ticking, cylinder 4 misfire code, emissions code, purge valve canister code and transmission issue (according to MyChevy app)

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Electrical · TX

vehicle has been doing this since February 2024 but dealer would state the recall would fix the issue. February 18 2025 vehicle claimed to have a dead battery. Took to dealer once it was jumped they kept till February 28,2025 when I picked up vehicle less than 5 mile down the road vehicle shut off and luckily I was at a red light and the vehicle behind was not following close. The vehicle had just left dealership. Once i was able to get the vehicle back on it stated I needed to service the transmission. Took vehicle back to dealership and then they kept it to check. March 4,2025 I was told to pick up vehicle I did and it seemed well drove 6 miles to destination. Parked it and went inside came back out an hour later and vehicle was dead again. Had to call tow truck to pick me up and they left vehicle at dealer and it has been there since and they are stating it is in line.

Filed Mar 5, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · GA

I was driving my 2023 Tahoe on the interstate, in the far left lane. I had my wife and 2 kids in the car. Suddenly I noticed the air turned off and the dashboard screen went blank. I noticed that the car was now in neutral and the accelerator was not providing any response. I put on my hazards and started to merge across 7 lanes of highway without using brakes because we were going up a hill. We lost momentum in the second to last lane and could not move. The Tahoe then switched to park and the electrical system kept shutting off and rebooting. This also resulted in the hazard lights turning off for brief moments in time, so it was not effectively alerting other travelers of our dysfunction. (This repeated for the next 30 minutes until the battery died.) During that 30 minutes we were stuck in the lane with traffic buzzing around both sides of us honking and people screaming at us. My wife and 2 young children were upset and crying from the commotion. Poluce and emergency response team arrived, flagged traffic and drug the vehicle off the road.car was stuck in Park, with no ability to move to neutral. So tire rubber was smeared across the last 2 lanes and into the right shoulder. Later a tow truck arrived and hauled to dealership. The car had ~11,000 miles and bought the vehicle 2 months ago. This should not happen with new cars.

Filed Dec 18, 2024 · Electrical · TX

vehicle infotainment system will randomly "restart" or shut off completely when vehicle is being drove, but will still be playing music also all time and temperature (outside temp) will freeze when this happens. it also make the battery drain when this happens. the only way to get the screen to come back on weve tried is to disconnect battery. weve replaced the battery, weve had a chevy dealership look into it. no one can figure out what is happening. Now it is happening more and more. we also do not receive updates anymore to the infotainment system. the dealership had to manually do it a year ago. also will not keep our proifile signed in at all. always says were stuck in guest mode. says we have full storage when there is not any apps downloaded.