About this problem
Valve lifters sit between the camshaft and the valves. On engines with cylinder deactivation, some lifters switch off to save fuel, which makes them more complicated and more prone to sticking. A collapsed or seized lifter causes a ticking noise, misfires and a check engine light, and it can damage the camshaft. The repair means opening up the engine, so costs run high.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Chevrolet Tahoe since 2012, 148 (5.2%) describe lifter failure and ticking, making it the most reported problem we track on the Tahoe. The reports cluster on the 2015, 2021 and 2022 model years, and the 2021 drew the most, with 69. It tends to show up at higher mileage: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 50,000 and 100,000 miles. No recall covers it, but Chevrolet has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners of Tahoes with the 5.3- and 6.2-liter V8 report ticking, misfires and loss of power. Many cases trace to failed valve lifters on engines with cylinder deactivation. The 2015 and 2021 trucks drew the most reports, and GM recalled some 2021 and 2022 6.2-liter engines.
How it gets fixed
The repair replaces the lifters and often the camshaft.
Typical cost: Lifter replacement costs about $2,500 to $5,000.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"A lifter collapsed, which in turn damaged the lobes of a piston, which then damaged the camshaft...generating a repair bill of $7,100 per the dealer. The vehicle only has 69,200 miles on it."
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe
"The engine lifters have failed twice in our 2021 Chevy Tahoe. The first time was at 13k miles and the second time happened at 100k miles. Both times the failures put my family in an unsafe situation and almost led to a multicar accident."
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
"May 6, on vacation, sudden engine failure, valve lifter and lifter rod. GM told dealer only to replace lifters on one side, Cyl 5 was problem. May 24 car ready, pickup and 68 miles later same problem while on I95 in SC."
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Chevrolet has sent dealers 140 bulletins that mention this problem on the Tahoe. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Customer Satisfaction Program - Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the engine lifter bores may be oversized.
This service bulletin provides a service procedure to correct a condition of a Ticking Noise from the Engine.
This informational bulletin explains the difference in AFM and DFM engines and what is and is not activated during this occurrence.
This Preliminary information communicates that a ticking/clicking noise from the rear HVAC case can be caused by a binding mode door.
This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
This Preliminary information communicates that vehicles with RPO BVZ may have tap/rattle/tick/flutter noise from assist steps, and a procedure to eliminate the noise.
Before you buy a Tahoe
- Listen for ticking at idle and under load.
- Watch for a check engine light or misfires.
- Check by VIN for open engine recalls.
Questions
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have lifter failure and ticking?
Complaints are highest for the 2015, 2021, 2022 model years. The 2021 drew the most, with 69 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 85,000 miles, and half reported it between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Lifter replacement costs about $2,500 to $5,000.