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2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Tahoe.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe requires 7.0 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil. This model year has recorded 16 recalls and 423 total owner complaints, with the engine cited as the top complaint area. Within the model's overall complaint history from 1991 to 2026, this volume sits between the 1991 low of 3 complaints and the 2007 peak of 1,176 complaints.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified

Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12727115. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size275/50R22 111HOEM · verified

Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12727115 alt 12731742
Engine air filter	84121219 alt 84121217
Fuel filter	13539108
Spark plug	12622441
Battery	88866099 alt 88864539
Front wiper blades	84278338
Serpentine belt	12658178 alt 12669858
Thermostat	89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter	13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	210.6 in
Overall width	81.1 in
Overall height	75.6 in
Wheelbase	120.9 in
Curb weight	5545 lb
Track (front / rear)	68.5 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tahoe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2021 High Country

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2021	High Country 6.2L V8	6.10 sec	14.50 sec	420 hp	4x4
2021	High Country 6.2L V8	7.10 sec	15.40 sec	420 hp	4x4
2021	Z71 5.3L V8	7.40 sec	15.60 sec	355 hp	4x4
2021	LT 5.3L V8	7.50 sec	15.70 sec	355 hp	4x4
2021	Z71 5.3L V8	7.50 sec	15.80 sec	355 hp	4x4
2021	High Country Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-6	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	277 hp	4x4
2023	RST 6.2L V8	5.90 sec	14.30 sec	420 hp	4x4
2023	Z71 (Off-Road Pack) 5.3L V8	7.30 sec	15.50 sec	355 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	8.1 qt
Brake Fluid	Dot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity	2.11 pt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity	15.70 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity	15.6 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)	18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	43.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	6.6 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)	15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)	31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	2.0 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	6.59 oz
Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	2.0 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	6.59 oz

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)

46.0-88.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front: NS, Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	6.7
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: J55: 1.181", J61: 1.102"; Rear: .709"
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish	Front: J55: 1.201", J61: 1.122"; Rear: .728"
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.001"
Maximum Rotor Runout	.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50°

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°

18 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°

15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Take old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove the old crankshaft balancer bolt and throw away., Step 3: Recess the nose of the crankshaft into the balancer bore: 0.94-0.176", Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen 360°, Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: Bolt with rotating washer: 200° or Bolt that has a flanged head: 125°

240 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

30.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Bolts 13, 14, 5, 6, 4, 3, 11, 12: Loosen completely., Step 3: Bolts 13, 14, 5, 6, 4, 3, 11, 12: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 8: Loosen completely., Step 5: Bolts 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 8: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 59.0

30 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°

26 ft. lbs

Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45°

11 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

3.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4

3.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Accelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Windshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 mi	Hood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe shows a dramatic spike in complaints (423) compared to its immediate predecessors—2020 had only 53 complaints and 2019 had 101—representing an eightfold increase from the prior model year. This year also recorded the highest recall count in the entire dataset (16 recalls) alongside 4 NHTSA investigations, substantially elevated above both 2020 (3 recalls, 0 investigations) and 2022 (4 recalls, 3 investigations). The top complaint categories were Engine (73), Fuel/Propulsion System (54), and Power Train (36), with 9 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints noted. The data suggests 2021 represents the launch year of a new generation with significant teething problems, though subsequent model years show marked improvement (2022 drops to 174 complaints, 2023 to 199, and 2024 to just 60). The 2021 model year therefore carries meaningfully higher risk than later examples from the same generation, making it a less ideal purchase unless priced substantially below market.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1468

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

423

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20’21’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 423 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine73

Fuel/Propulsion System54

Power Train36

Unknown Or Other19

Fuel System, Gasoline17

Engine & Engine Cooling15

Air Bags13

Exterior Lighting13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 16 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V455000Steering:Steering Control ModuleReported 17/06/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at… Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021…

21V579000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Electric:Control Module:SoftwareReported 29/07/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. Dealer service technicians may have calibrated the brake system incorrectly, affecting Electronic Stability Control (ESC)… Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the brake system control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1468 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIT6006D	2026-07-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates where to find the back antenna for learning new…
PIT5966F	2026-06-23	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIT6522	2026-06-10	Unknown Or Other	This PI advises dealers that if the K160 Brake System Control Module sets DTC P0606 along…
PIT6132E	2026-06-09	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary information communicates an issues with the HVAC making a hum buzz noise…
PIT6477C	2026-06-05	Unknown Or Other	This preliminary PI was created to advise techniians in the field that they will not be…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tahoe. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 49 battery Vehicles taking 7.0 qt Engine oil filter 12727115 Engine air filter 84121219 Fuel filter 13539108 Spark plug 12622441

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Tahoe take?

7.0 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Tahoe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.