This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the camshaft actuator magnet to correct customer concerns of engine related shudder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Tahoe | 8 |
| 2015 Tahoe | 18 |
| 2016 Tahoe | 12 |
| 2017 Tahoe (this page) | 10 |
| 2018 Tahoe | 14 |
| 2019 Tahoe | 15 |
| 2020 Tahoe | 8 |
| 2021 Tahoe | 112 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2017 Chevrolet Tahoes report widespread engine lifter failures, typically occurring between 50,000 and 120,000 miles. The 5.3L engine is specifically mentioned. Symptoms include knocking and ticking from the engine compartment, check engine lights, stalling at low speeds, misfires in multiple cylinders, rough idle, and cold-start struggle. Dealers and independent shops diagnose lifter wear, camshaft damage, and in severe cases recommend full engine replacement. One owner reported lifters replaced at 92,000 miles, then failing again at 104,000.
Early production 2017 models—delivered in July 2017—experienced stalling, hesitation, and jumping during acceleration within days of purchase. A dealership service manager acknowledged this as a known defect linked to extreme Vegas heat; GM issued letter PIP5507 (June 30, 2017) admitting no fix was available and no recall would be issued.
Transmission failure requiring replacement is also reported, sometimes alongside engine issues. One owner replaced the transmission in 2024, then discovered lifter failure immediately after.
GM has been notified by multiple owners but has declined to provide assistance or issue a recall. Repair costs are not consistently disclosed but appear substantial for a vehicle of this price and age.
Same Chevrolet Tahoe engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine lifter failure
Lifters wear out prematurely or fail entirely, with camshaft damage following. Owners report the 5.3L engine as especially prone. Repairs require replacement of lifters, gaskets, head bolts, and sometimes the entire engine.
When: 50,000 to 120,000 miles; some reports near 92,000 with failure recurring at 104,000
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking and ticking noise from engine compartment; Check engine light flashing or illuminated; Engine stall while driving at 40–45 MPH; Misfire detected in cylinders (e.g., #4 and #8); Engine vibration at idle and below 500 RPM; Struggling to turn on from cold start
Codes mentioned: P0300 (generic misfire), Engine lifter failure, Camshaft failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer and independent shops replaced lifters, gaskets, head bolts, camshaft, or entire engine. One owner reported gasket, lifter, and head bolt replacement at 92,000 miles, then lifter failure again at 104,000 miles. Cost not always disclosed; owner noted $60,000 vehicle with repair cost withheld.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM notified in at least two cases; no assistance or recall provided. One service document (PIP5507) dated June 30, 2017, stated GM had no solution due to extreme heat issues in Las Vegas; no recall issued. Campaign Number 25V274000 mentioned in one report (Engine and Engine Cooling).
Transmission failure
Transmission requires replacement, often shortly after purchase or concurrent with engine issues. Owners report sudden need for full transmission replacement.
When: Early ownership to 3 years post-purchase; one transmission replaced in 2024 for a 2017 model purchased in 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Shuddering and vibration while shifting gears; No warning lights initially reported in one case
Codes mentioned: Transmission needs replacement (diagnostic code not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replaced by dealer in at least one case; no cost stated. Another owner replaced transmission in 2024 and subsequently discovered lifter failure.
Engine stalling and hesitation (early model defect)
Brand-new 2017 models experience stalling, hesitation, and jumping during acceleration and gear shifts within the first few days of ownership. Dealership service manager acknowledged this as a known issue tied to extreme Las Vegas heat; GM issued letter dated June 30, 2017 (PIP5507) stating no solution was available.
When: 3 days after purchase (new vehicle); also reported at various speeds throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation and jumping when accelerating from stop; Vehicle stalling at traffic lights and while making turns; Engine light illumination; Shuddering while shifting; Check engine light flashing on and off
Codes mentioned: PIP5507 (Stalling—Hesitation), OnStar diagnostic: engine and transmission defects detected
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; service manager stated GM had no fix in place. One owner received no solution and was told dealership/GM could not explain why the known defect was not disclosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued service letter PIP5507 dated June 30, 2017, acknowledging the issue but stating no solution was available. No recall issued.
Engine misfire
Check engine light illuminates with misfires detected in specific cylinders (reported in #4 and #8). Often accompanied by knocking, ticking, and revving.
When: 120,000 miles and earlier; one at 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated or flashing; Knocking and ticking noise from engine; Engine revving unexpectedly; Misfires in cylinders #4 and #8 (and general misfire codes)
Codes mentioned: Misfire detected (cylinders #4, #8), Camshaft failure diagnosis, P0300 (implied from narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at independent mechanic and dealer; engine replacement recommended in one case but not performed due to cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in some cases; in others notified but no assistance provided.
Condensation and fluid leak under engine
Owner observed condensation underneath the front of the vehicle while parked. Not diagnosed or repaired. Also noted: A/C condenser leak requiring replacement.
When: Timing not specified; one A/C condenser issue reported in 2020
Symptoms owners cite: Condensation visible under front of vehicle; A/C condenser leak
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $1,095.12 for A/C condenser replacement (plus $148.50 diagnosis fee). First condensation case was not diagnosed or repaired.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 91,235 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/Chevrolet/Tahoe.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.