New Tahoe Yukon Forum banner

2021 Chevy Tahoe Diesel Problems

9895 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  T1wife
Bought my 2021 Tahoe Diesel High Country at the end of January. 30 minutes after driving off the lot, the check engine light came on. Took it back to dealer the next day. They read the codes, sent them back to GM, and GM stated a temp difference or something like that. Went back to pick it up, got 15 miles down the road, check engine light came back on. Took it back again, this time they said it was a coolant hose that ran to the water pump was kinked. They replaced the hose to ensure it wasn’t kinked. Went back to pick it up, again got 15 miles down the road and the check engine light came back on. This time, GM is recommending they change the water pump. It’s currently still at the dealer awaiting repairs. I’m sure the people reading can imagine my frustrations with spending $80k on a vehicle and have this many problems so soon after a new car purchase. I contacted GM about a vehicle replacement/lemon law claim. It’s currently been through the first approval process but I imagine there are many more approvals in the chain before it actually gets approved or denied.
After all of this, I guess my question is: Has anyone been through the new car replacement process with GM? Has anyone had any troubles with their 2021Tahoe Diesel like me?
I’m just frustrated and wanted to tell my story and hear what others have to say.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Bought my 2021 Tahoe Diesel High Country at the end of January. 30 minutes after driving off the lot, the check engine light came on. Took it back to dealer the next day. They read the codes, sent them back to GM, and GM stated a temp difference or something like that. Went back to pick it up, got 15 miles down the road, check engine light came back on. Took it back again, this time they said it was a coolant hose that ran to the water pump was kinked. They replaced the hose to ensure it wasn’t kinked. Went back to pick it up, again got 15 miles down the road and the check engine light came back on. This time, GM is recommending they change the water pump. It’s currently still at the dealer awaiting repairs. I’m sure the people reading can imagine my frustrations with spending $80k on a vehicle and have this many problems so soon after a new car purchase. I contacted GM about a vehicle replacement/lemon law claim. It’s currently been through the first approval process but I imagine there are many more approvals in the chain before it actually gets approved or denied.
After all of this, I guess my question is: Has anyone been through the new car replacement process with GM? Has anyone had any troubles with their 2021Tahoe Diesel like me?
I’m just frustrated and wanted to tell my story and hear what others have to say.
Welcome to the forum @usaffiremanboyd

How may stages does the claim have to pass through to finally get approved/denied?

I heard of situations where people had to contact BBB Auto Line to help them get through the lemon law process, mainly because GM can make it more difficult than it should be.

2021+ Tahoe problems are never ending it seems, and I'm actually surprised that's all you experienced.
Here are some others I saw being reported.
  1. Brakes recall
  2. Key fob not found while driving
  3. Right rear door handle cable broken
  4. Service Safety Restraint System light on
  5. Steering column box replaced
  6. Rear power outlet not working
  7. Title or vin number incorrect. Shows preowned!!
  8. Rear window sensor out
  9. Rear wipers don't work
See less See more
Welcome to the forum @usaffiremanboyd

How may stages does the claim have to pass through to finally get approved/denied?

I heard of situations where people had to contact BBB Auto Line to help them get through the lemon law process, mainly because GM can make it more difficult than it should be.

2021+ Tahoe problems are never ending it seems, and I'm actually surprised that's all you experienced.
Here are some others I saw being reported.
  1. Brakes recall
  2. Key fob not found while driving
  3. Right rear door handle cable broken
  4. Service Safety Restraint System light on
  5. Steering column box replaced
  6. Rear power outlet not working
  7. Title or vin number incorrect. Shows preowned!!
  8. Rear window sensor out
  9. Rear wipers don't work
Note sure but my claim was denied a few days ago. Assuming it only got through a couple of stages. Still working with them.
Update: Tahoe is still at the dealer. They replaced a coolant pump yesterday, drove it and the check engine light came back on. They have to get in touch with GM techs again on Monday to see what the next "fix" will be. They think the next step to replace is a water cooler part that has the sensor installed in it or bring some GM technician in that can see/do more with the computer of the vehicle that the normal dealer techs can see/manipulate.

Super frustrating to say the least, almost been at the dealer for a month now and still making payments on a vehicle i'm not driving. I will say this, the dealership (service manager) has been very good. I have a loaner, so that helps. My issue has gone up to the "district manager" and they are aware and concerned as well.

Three days ago, GM denied my replacement claim, I thought my next step would be to go through the BBB but GM told me if I did that, i would null and void and "compensation" they could give me after the issue is resolved.
See less See more
Any updates?

I got the exactly the same issue for 2021 Tahoe RST with diesel engine. The engine light was on after 10 miles. First fix diagnose was the same: coolant hose was kinked. The engine light is on today and I am scheduling a second fix.

I am keeping all the records. After this second fix if the problem still exists, I'll go with lemon law directly.
Any updates?

I got the exactly the same issue for 2021 Tahoe RST with diesel engine. The engine light was on after 10 miles. First fix diagnose was the same: coolant hose was kinked. The engine light is on today and I am scheduling a second fix.

I am keeping all the records. After this second fix if the problem still exists, I'll go with lemon law directly.
Sorry for the late update. I did get it back all fixed up. After a GM field engineer was called out to the dealer, that person identified the problem. The problem was the hose itself, all they had to do was replace the hose. Originally they had just un-kinked it. They went through replacing some parts thinking that was the problem. After it was running for a bit, the field engineer told them to check and see if the hose had soft spots. They checked it and it did. Hose replaced, better coolant flow and no more issue.
Hope they can get your ride fixed!
  • Like
Reactions: 1
I got my vehicle back. It turned out the charger cooler pump is broken. They replaced a new one and the code disappeared.
Ok my engine light shows up again. Very disappointment.
I recently bought a new Tahoe High Country diesel about three weeks ago and it is in the shop for the 3rd time for the check engine light. After driving for a week, I had the same issue, the check engine light came on. The dealership had it for about three days and said they had to update the software. The very next day after I picked it up, the check engine light came back on again. I took it back to the dealership which they kept it for four days and said they said they had to replace an oxygen sensor. After four days, the check engine light came back on again. The dealership has had the vehicle for one week now and they said they are consulting with engineers at GM because they do not know why the engine light is coming on. Although the dealership gave me a loner vehicle, it is very frustrating since I paid 80K and it has been in the shop longer than I have driven it. I live in Texas and the Lemon Law for Texas says if you take a new vehicle back for repair under warranty for the same issue for four times in a 24 month period, then the vehicle is considered a lemon. There are some actions you have to take here in Texas to have GM buy back the vehicle. For instance, you are required to mail GM (not the dealership) a certified letter to the address listed in the warranty book requesting that they correct the problem within 30 days. If the issue continues after you mail the letter, then you can file a complaint with the supporting documents (repair invoices, letter to GM) to the Texas Dept of Motor Vehicles and either the case is mediated or a hearing is set. There are also attorneys that will take your case for no fee as they will collect their fees through GM. If the problem recurs when I get my Tahoe back, then I will be starting the process of sending a letter to GM and filing a lemon law complaint.
See less See more
Bought my 2021 Tahoe Diesel High Country at the end of January. 30 minutes after driving off the lot, the check engine light came on. Took it back to dealer the next day. They read the codes, sent them back to GM, and GM stated a temp difference or something like that. Went back to pick it up, got 15 miles down the road, check engine light came back on. Took it back again, this time they said it was a coolant hose that ran to the water pump was kinked. They replaced the hose to ensure it wasn’t kinked. Went back to pick it up, again got 15 miles down the road and the check engine light came back on. This time, GM is recommending they change the water pump. It’s currently still at the dealer awaiting repairs. I’m sure the people reading can imagine my frustrations with spending $80k on a vehicle and have this many problems so soon after a new car purchase. I contacted GM about a vehicle replacement/lemon law claim. It’s currently been through the first approval process but I imagine there are many more approvals in the chain before it actually gets approved or denied.
After all of this, I guess my question is: Has anyone been through the new car replacement process with GM? Has anyone had any troubles with their 2021Tahoe Diesel like me?
I’m just frustrated and wanted to tell my story and hear what others have to say.
Hello - I have the same issues - bought Tahoe High Country Diesel in May and it is back in the shop for the 5th time for the check engine light. I have only driven the car 17 days since ownership. I told them I want a GM buyback which they said would take about 4-5 months which I feel is unacceptable. The lemon law process is lengthy as well. I went to give me the Vin.com and they offered pretty close to the price I paid (within $500) but I will still be out 4K for the taxes I paid. At this point, I don’t care anymore, I just want to get rid of this vehicle - a piece of junk for $80K - very upsetting and disappointing.
I have had my 2021 dienali diesel in the shop several time starting in sept with maybe 10,000. check engine light and onstar says its engine and transmission. And also emission system. I have had at least 15 times since this check engine light has come on. and the dealership has replaced all NOX sensors Just cleaned a injector and put back in. checked the wiring harness. and still the check engine light is STILL ON!
I feel your pain everyone.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top