Chevrolet Tahoe VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Chevrolet Tahoe VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 83 NHTSA recall campaigns for 1995–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefix1GN3GN1GB

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chevrolet Tahoe

About the Chevrolet Tahoe

Chevrolet has sold the Tahoe in the US since the 1995 model year, and there have been five generations. The Gen 1 came first (1995–1999); Gen 2 (2000–2006), Gen 3 (2007–2014), Gen 4 (2015–2020) followed, and the Gen 5 took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 83 vehicle recall campaigns and 10,096 owner complaints. The 2007 has the most complaints of any model year (1,177). EPA rates the Gen 1 at 12–15 mpg combined, while the Gen 5 gets 16–24 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1995–2026

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3 · Gen 4 · Gen 5

NHTSA recall campaigns83

Owner complaints10,096 at NHTSA

Chevrolet Tahoe photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chevrolet Tahoe generations

Five generations since the 1995 model year. The Gen 3 (2007–2014) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 5 (2021–2026) the most recall campaigns (23).

5 / 5

Gen 5

2021–20265th generation

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

1995200020052010201520202025

2021–2026· Generation 5 of 5

Gen 5 · 5th generation

PlatformGMT T1XX

EPA combined mpg16–24

NHTSA recalls23

Engines (EPA)

3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, diesel) · 2021–2026
5.3 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026
6.2 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (486)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (187)Fuel system (157)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 1,009 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 51GNSKPKD?MR······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, built in Arlington, Texas

Check a Tahoe VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Tahoe model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 83 campaigns on file for Tahoe model years 1995–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (17), ahead of the 2015 (16). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chevrolet Tahoe owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2007 (1,177 of 10,096). Tap any bar or generation.

10,096NHTSA complaints, 1995–2026

456mention a crash

133mention a fire

496injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 5: 1,009 complaints · most for the 2021 (454)

Top complaint areas · Gen 5

Mentions in 1,009 complaints, 2021–2026.

Engine and cooling486

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)187

Fuel system157

Electrical system153

Brakes72

Forward collision avoidance71

Crashes 17Fires 7Injuries 18

2021–2026 (Gen 5)

NHTSA data summary

Its first model year, the 2021, drew more complaints than any other (454 of 1,009). Owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (486 mentions), then powertrain (187).

What Tahoe owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–present (5th generation)

On the 2021, NHTSA owners most often describe engine and fuel system trouble, including failed fuel pump control modules that stall the truck and lifter failures with misfires or a loud clacking. A recall covers 2021 models whose fuel pump power control module can make the pump fail or run intermittently and cause a stall. CarComplaints has only four reports for 2021, led by an engine ticking noise, a noise on the downshift from 2nd to 1st and peeling roof paint. [1] [2]

2015–2020 (4th generation)

Brakes lead NHTSA complaints for the 2015, with owners describing a pedal that turns hard and a Service Brake System warning. A recall covers 2015–2018 models whose brake vacuum pump output may drop over time, and another covers 2015 models that can briefly lose electric power steering assist. CarComplaints ranks an A/C that stopped working first for 2015, followed by a slipping transmission and a loud, rough ride. [3] [4]

2007–2014 (3rd generation)

On the 2007, cracked dashboards and air bag recalls dominate NHTSA complaints, and broken door handles are another frequent theme. CarComplaints ranks a cracked dashboard first for 2007, followed by low oil pressure and a rattle in the engine. A recall covers passenger front air bag inflators on 2007–2011 models originally sold or ever registered in certain states. [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the air bag inflator recall on 2007–2011 models, the brake vacuum pump recall on 2015–2018 models and the fuel pump module recall on 2021 models.
Ask for records of lifter or engine repairs and A/C work.
On the drive, check that the brake pedal feels firm, listen for ticking or clacking from the engine and inspect the dashboard for cracks.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Tahoe complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid and diesel Tahoe versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

10,096complaints, 1995–2026

456mention a crash

133mention a fire

496injuries reported

21complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2007 (1,177), 2015 (662), 2008 (586)

2007 · 1,177 complaints

Crashes 26 · fires 27 · injuries 75

Air bags500

Structure279

Unknown or other197

Electrical system142

Engine58

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Tahoe CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 180 Tahoe versions for model years 1995–2026 (gas, diesel and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 404 g/mi, for the 2010 hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 11995–1999

12–15 mpg · CO₂ 592–741 g/mi

Gen 22000–2006

13–16 mpg · CO₂ 555–684 g/mi

Gen 32007–2014

14–22 mpg · CO₂ 404–635 g/mi

Gen 42015–2020

17–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–527 g/mi

Gen 52021–2026

16–24 mpg · CO₂ 421–572 g/mi

Model year2025

17combined MPG

523CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$4,850EPA yearly fuel cost

5/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

3/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: 2WD · Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 6.2 L — 17 MPG · 523 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDieselHybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Tahoe vs Ford Expedition vs Toyota Sequoia

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2015–2020. NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the Tahoe, against 32 for the Ford Expedition and 7 for the Toyota Sequoia. Pick a range to compare.

Chevrolet TahoeGen 5

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 23
NHTSA owner complaints: 1,009
EPA combined mpg: 16–24
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 486
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 187
Fuel system 157

Ford Expedition

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 25
NHTSA owner complaints: 535
EPA combined mpg: 17–19
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 147
Electrical system 83
Engine and cooling 80

Toyota Sequoia

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 8
NHTSA owner complaints: 100
EPA combined mpg: 14–22
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.4 L · 8-cyl 5.7 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Structure and body 28
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 11
Brakes 11

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chevrolet Tahoe VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Tahoe

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Chevrolet Tahoe (fifth generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Locate the Tahoe's VIN on the metal plate at the base of the driver's side windshield. B-pillar and cargo area secondary labels are present given the Tahoe's length. The Gen 5 generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chevrolet Tahoe VIN questions

Which Chevrolet Tahoe model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2007 leads with 1,177, ahead of the 2015 (662) and 2008 (586). Those first two alone make up 18% of the 10,096 Tahoe complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Tahoe had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 83 vehicle campaigns for model years 1995–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 5 leads with 23. Then come the Gen 4 (21), Gen 2 (16), Gen 3 (15) and Gen 1 (9), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe recalls are high risk?

21V-050, 21V-052, 21V-053, 21V-054 and 21V-051 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 03V-094, 14V-070, 05V-455, 08V-441, 10V-240, 16V-868, 14V-152, 19V-837 and 2 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 14V-246, 16V-256 and 26V-289. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Tahoe generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 1995–1999 and the Gen 2 2000–2006. Gen 3 spans 2007–2014, Gen 4 2015–2020 and Gen 5 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Tahoe get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Gen 5 at 16–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–15 mpg for the 1995–1999 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chevrolet Tahoe compare with the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Tahoe has 23 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Expedition has 25, the Toyota Sequoia 8. Complaints run 1,009, 535 and 100 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Chevrolet Tahoe have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Tahoe 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, RWD and 4WD, get that score.

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About the Chevrolet Tahoe

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