The failure is believed to have originated in the fuel delivery system, specifically the check valve in the low-pressure fuel feed jumper line at the engine. This valve failed to seat properly, allowing high-pressure pulses to travel back into the low-pressure side of the system. This malfunction caused the S-shaped portion of the fuel feed line near the tank to vibrate excessively against its mounting clip. This constant friction wore through the line, resulting in an active fuel leak. All damaged components remain on the vehicle and are available for inspection upon request. The safety of the driver, passengers, and the public is at immediate risk due to a severe fire hazard. Because the leak is located near the fuel tank and undercarriage, gasoline is being released where it could be ignited by road sparks, static electricity, or exhaust heat. A fuel leak of this nature threatens a catastrophic fire that could result in vehicle loss or personal injury. The problem has been confirmed via a physical inspection that matches the symptoms documented in a GM Service Bulletin (Recall - High Pressure Fuel Pump Leakage). While the vehicle has not yet been subjected to a formal tear-down by a dealer due to the danger of driving it with a leak, the visual evidence at the exact location specified in manufacturer documentation confirms the failure. To date, the vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Prior to the leak, the primary symptoms were an audible rattling and ticking noise from the engine bay and underside, characteristic of the pressure pulses described in the TSB. There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages, as the mechanical wear on the exterior of the fuel line occurred outside the scope of the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic sensors.
Chevrolet Tahoe fuel leak problems
63 of the 10,079 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Tahoe describe fuel leak, most of them for the 2015 model year.
- owner complaints
- 63
- worst model year
- 2015
- typical mileage
- 89,114
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 18Fuel smell 16Fuel gauge 4Overheating 3Fire or smoke 3Stalling 2Knocking 2Won't start 1
What owners say
My Tahoe 2021 RST has been leaking what smells like diesel. This goes all the way back only months after I bought it new. This came and went sometimes once a week sometimes once a month. And for the next few years many months I could smell it but no leaks but in the last 10 days the diesel leak has been massive. It leaks from under the engine and if the hood is opened the diesel leak is all over the engine. The smell has been noxious sunce the beginning. Over the years the smell was there off and on. Comes and goes. But the last few months it has been everyday. Apparently the shop had fixed and replaced some parts several weeks ago but the smell of diesel never went away. Now it is in the dealer shop again. Because the fuel leak is too massive and the smell is ever worst.
I am leaking fuel from the fuel lines connected to the fuel tank. I can smell the fumes inside of the cab. I also can see the fuel leaking under the driver seat.
I’ve had to have the fuel line replaced 3 times because of fuel leaks.
Lot white smoke for tail pipe, noise came in the motor, leak gas for tailpipe
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while cold starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin from the vehicle. The contact stated that the odor was stronger while the heater was activated. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) was cracked and leaking gasoline. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,264.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally strong odor inside the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle to complete an inspection of the vehicle. The contact became aware that there was a large fuel leak on the ground. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned off the fuel leak stopped. The contact stated that fuel only leaked out when the vehicle was running. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact researched and discovered TSB: 17-NA-304; however, the contact was informed that the repair could not be covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.
I was constantly smelling a strong odor of gas coming from the inside/outside of my 2015 Chevy Tahoe. When I purchased the vehicle in 10/23 everything appeared fine. I researched the internet to determine what the problem could be & found dozens of similar situations. People saying the fuel line rubs the undercarriage of the vehicle causing a pin hole size in the fuel line causing it to leak gas. Currently my vehicle is in the shop and the problem is TBD.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the vehicle, the contact observed an excessive fuel leak around the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that she would smell the odor of gasoline when she approached the vehicle. The contact stated there was a stain on her driveway that was gasoline. Most recently, the contact saw that fuel was dripping from the fuel tank. Also, the contact stated that the vehicle had become more difficult to start in the morning, sometimes taking over four attempts. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin Number: 17-NA-304 Possible Fuel Leak (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2021, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2022 and 2024 GMC Yukon vehicles equipped with a 6-cylinder diesel engine. The original fuel tank may have been replaced with an incorrect fuel tank, which can allow fuel to leak in a rollover crash.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for the correct fuel tank and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 5, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N252512770. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on September 18, 2025.
Recall number 25V619000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump: control/drive module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. 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 N212332040.
Recall number 21V739000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. The fuel tank assemblies may be missing adhesive between two layers of the fuel tank shell which may result in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212327720.
Recall number 21V064000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
- Risk
- Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
Recall number 19V837000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Gm is recalling 27,188 my 2009 cadillac escalade, escalade hybrid, escalade esv, and escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, suburban, tahoe, tahoe hybrid, and colorado; and gmc yukon, yukon hybrid, yukon xl, and canyon vehicles. The fuel system control modules may have a condition in which an adhesive separation of the room temperature vulcanizing (rtv) seal between the seal and the housing may allow water to seep into the module.
- Risk
- Water in the module could cause a short or open circuit, illumination of the service engine soon lamp, setting of diagnostic trouble codes or the engine may be hard to start, may not start or may stall increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new fuel system control module free of charge. The recall began on may 18, 2009. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V154000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Tahoe fuel leak
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have fuel leak problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2015 (30 complaints), 1998 (5 complaints) and 1999 (5 complaints).
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