2021 Chevrolet Tahoe · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 29owner reports
- 70,700median miles
- $11,400median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
29 of the 71 reports of engine failure on the 2021 Tahoe describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (71 reports)
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Engine knock on other Tahoe years
No other Tahoe model year has enough reports of engine knock for a sheet of its own. See every Tahoe year.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
All 16 recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Tahoe
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
What owners paid
8 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $14,400.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 51,000 and 89,678 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Service Update. Certain vehicles may present a broken engine valve spring. This may cause the engine to run rough, an engine knocking or ticking noise, a check engine light illumination, or a possible vehicle stall.
What owners wrote
“We have experienced a loss in power that is accompanied with an audible engine knocking sound. The loss of power affected our ability to safely merge into the highway.”
Filed Oct 15, 2025
“Driving car, suddenly when accelerating engine light started flashing, car was shaking and making knocking noise”
Filed Sep 7, 2025
“Engine knocking while accelerating. Told by Chevy dealership that a thruster is broken. Car is only 4 years old with 60k miles. Unfortunately, not under warranty. Quoted $5,000 for fix. No errors on dash or visuals of the problem.”
Filed Feb 4, 2025 · 60,000 miles
“My wife was driving the vehicle when all of a sudden the engine started knocking and throwing a bunch of codes. The engine has a bottom end knock and it seems this is a known problem with these engines.”
Filed Jan 20, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 119 reports
- Fuel pump failure 74 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 72 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 27 reports