2021 Chevrolet Tahoe maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (355 hp), 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp, High Country/RST Performance), or 3.0L Duramax inline-6 turbo-diesel (277 hp)LSLTRSTMSRP $50,295

⚠ 16 open recalls for this vehicle

A recall means the manufacturer found a safety problem and is required to fix it — these aren't normal wear-and-tear repairs. Check your specific VIN at NHTSA.gov to confirm your car is affected.

✓ Recall repairs are always FREE at any dealer, no matter who currently owns the car or where it was bought.

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

Why it matters: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 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 N212333900.

Reported 17/06/2021 · Campaign #21V455000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC) , traction control, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), and braking while towing a trailer.

Why it matters: Overall braking performance may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1202; GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212340970.

Reported 29/07/2021 · Campaign #21V579000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Why it matters: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. 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 N212351030.

Reported 27/01/2022 · Campaign #22V036000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.

Why it matters: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

Reported 17/12/2020 · Campaign #20V792000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Why it matters: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Reported 23/12/2020 · Campaign #20V811000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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.

Reported 11/02/2021 · Campaign #21V064000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEATS

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.

Why it matters: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.

Reported 25/11/2020 · Campaign #20V735000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE

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.

Why it matters: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

Reported 23/09/2021 · Campaign #21V739000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The second-row center seat belt latch may be trapped beneath the trim bezel and therefore inaccessible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208. "Occupant Crash Protection."

Why it matters: A passenger in the second-row center will be unable to wear a seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the trim bezel, correctly position the seat belt latch plate, and reinstall the trim bezel, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212329320.

Reported 25/03/2021 · Campaign #21V210000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Why it matters: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

Reported 10/06/2021 · Campaign #21V421000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

Why it matters: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.

Reported 18/03/2021 · Campaign #21V190000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

Why it matters: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. 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 N222372380.

Reported 11/08/2022 · Campaign #22V617000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Why it matters: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.

Reported 03/11/2022 · Campaign #22V827000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Why it matters: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

Reported 24/10/2024 · Campaign #24V797000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Why it matters: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 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 N252494000.

Reported 24/04/2025 · Campaign #25V274000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

The fix: 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 NHTSA.gov on September 18, 2025.

Reported 18/09/2025 · Campaign #25V619000 — look up your VIN at NHTSA.gov →

Jump to a mileage milestone:

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Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
5k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 full synthetic for 5.3L/6.2L V8 gas engines; GM oil life monitor governs exact interval, typically 5k-7.5k under normal use (Duramax diesel: 5W-40 full synthetic diesel-rated oil, check monitor) Tire rotation Inspect brake pads and rotors — front and rear Inspect front and rear differential fluid level (4WD models)
10k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax diesel) Tire rotation Inspect cabin air filter condition Inspect Autotrac/4WD transfer case fluid level Inspect diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) level — Duramax models
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Tire rotation Inspect brake fluid color and level Inspect front and rear driveshaft U-joints (4WD models) Inspect GM 10-speed automatic transmission fluid condition (10L80/10L90)
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax) Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Inspect spark plugs — 5.3L/6.2L V8 iridium (factory interval ~97,500 miles under GM's extended schedule; inspect at 30k) Inspect front differential fluid (4WD — GM 75W-85 synthetic gear oil) Inspect transfer case fluid (4WD — GM Autotrac fluid) Inspect rear axle fluid — GM 75W-90 synthetic (limited-slip requires friction modifier additive) Replace fuel filter — Duramax diesel models (severe-duty interval)	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax) Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter Replace brake fluid — DOT 3 Replace front differential fluid — GM 75W-85 synthetic (4WD models) Replace transfer case fluid — GM Autotrac fluid (4WD models) Replace rear axle fluid — GM 75W-90 synthetic Inspect GM 10-speed automatic transmission fluid — replace under severe-duty/towing schedule Inspect serpentine belt — all engine variants Inspect coolant condition (GM Dex-Cool extended-life orange — first change at 100k-150k)	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Tire rotation Replace cabin air filter Inspect serpentine belt condition — replace if cracked or glazed Inspect front CV axle shafts and boots (4WD front axle) Inspect air suspension components (Premier/High Country magnetic ride control models) Inspect brake calipers, hardware, and parking brake cables	View →
98k mi	Engine oil and filter change per oil life monitor Replace spark plugs — 5.3L/6.2L EcoTec3 V8 iridium (GM factory interval: 97,500 miles under normal schedule) Tire rotation
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change — dexos1 0W-20 (gas) or 5W-40 (Duramax) Tire rotation Replace engine coolant — GM Dex-Cool extended-life (first change at 100k-150k, then per monitor) Replace GM 10-speed automatic transmission fluid Replace front differential fluid — GM 75W-85 (4WD) Replace transfer case fluid — GM Autotrac fluid (4WD) Replace rear axle fluid — GM 75W-90 Replace serpentine belt if not already replaced Full brake system flush — DOT 3 Inspect and service front wheel bearings and hub assemblies	View →

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Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.