2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 467 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 25 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 24 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Wheels, hubDec 17, 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
Campaign 07E106000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherApr 22, 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
Campaign 05V163000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 4, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Campaign 04V045000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
214 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2006
THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BATTERY, AC DELCO 72 MONTH BATTERY CRACKED 26 MONTHS INTO THE WARRANTY SPILLING ACID ONTO THE WASHER FLUID BOTTLE MOUNTED BELOW THE BATTERY. THE ACID MELTED THE O-RINGS IN THE PUMP ASSEMBLE FOR THE FRONT AND REAR WIPERS CAUSING A LEAK. THE PUMP ASSEMBLES HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $200. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND AC DELCO IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INCIDENTAL DAMAGE. SOMEONE SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS ON MY VEHICLE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Oct 1, 2006
2004 CHEVY TAHOE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. STAYS ON 55 MPH EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF. TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT $800 TO FIX. NOW OIL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT DROP TO ZERO. OIL IN ENGINE IS AT PROPER LEVEL. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2006
I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE Z71. AT 40,500 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER HAS STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY, REGISTERING SPEEDS UP TO 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STANDSTILL AND REGISTERING A VARIETY OF SPEEDS (NONE OF WHICH ARE CORRECT) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. MY DEALERSHIP INSISTS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, HOWEVER, I HAVE SEEN ON VARIOUS WEB SITES WHERE THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OWNERS OF TAHOE AND YUKON THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM...IT IS UNSAFE. *NM
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 19, 2006
SO MANY... WHERE DO I START? 1) AT 9,000 MI. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED DUE TO A POPPING FEELING IN THE STEERING, AT 16,000 MI. IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. 2) AT 9000 MILES THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY TACH MOTOR MAKING A BUZZING/RATTLING SOUND, STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN AT 13,000 MILES TOOK TO DEALER AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. 3) HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF ON TURNS HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES SINCE IT HAD 9000 MI. 1ST 2 TIMES REPLACED A PLUG ON ALTERNATOR AND SAID IT WAS FIXED, WAS NOT THEN SAID THE FOUND A BAD CONNECTOR STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS CONTACTED GM AND THEY WERE NO HELP. 4) EXHAUST HAS BEEN POPPING SINCE NEW AND SOMETIMES AFTER COOL DOWN SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING EXPLODED 5) ENGINE MAKES A NOISE WHEN WARMED UP TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AT 12000 MILES AND THEY CLEANED OIL PUMP PICKUP TUBE AND SAID THE OIL PRESSURE WAS NOT CORRECT. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM TOOK BACK IN AT 15000 AND THEY STATED NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE NOISE WAS NORMAL. 6) THE BRAKES PULSATED WHEN NEW TOOK BACK AT 59 MI. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IT AND IT WOULD GET BETTER. STARTED AGAIN AT 9000 MI. AND THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. BRAKES STARTED MAKING A CRACKING NOISE IN THE FRONT TOOK IN 3 TIMES FOUND NO PROBLEM YET WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP THE LAST TIME AT 15,000 MI THE NOISE WENT AWAY ONLY TO COME BACK A WEEK LATER. 7) WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE VIBRATES BAD!!!! DASH WILL RATTLE AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL WHEN THE A/C WAS ON YET IT'S WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS OFF. NOW THAT A/C IS MAKING A TERRIBLE NOISE FROM INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INSIDE THE CLIMATE CONTROL BOX AREA. 8) ENGINE HAS A MISS AT IDLE. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2006
SPEEDOMETER IS ACTING ERRATIC, SOMETIMES SHOWING 35 MPH WHEN ACTUAL SPEED IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 70 MPH. OTHER TIMES IT SHOWS 0 MPH. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AND WONDER IF THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS. *NM
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2006, fire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, SMOKE FLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE HOOD WAS RAISED. THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE FUSE BOX THAT WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ENTIRE WIRING FOR THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED. ONCE THE CONTACT TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE AUDIBLE WARNINGS BUZZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM, BUT THERE WAS NO REPAIR.
Electrical system, May 16, 2006
SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY BEGAN TO REGISTER INCORRECT MPH. 0 MPH SOMETIMES IS 30 MPH OR 40 MPH OR UP TO 70 MPH. THIS HAPPENS SUDDENLY YOU WILL LOOK DOWN AND IT WILL SHOW YOU ARE GOING 110 MPH WHEN YOU ARE REALLY GOING 60-70 MPH. TOOK IT INTO THE DEAL AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE HAD MORE THAN SEVERAL OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. COST TO REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE APPROXIMATELY $500, WAS TOLD NO RECALL HAS TAKEN PLACE, BUT THEY BELIEVE THIS WAS A DEFECT AND WE SHOULD KEEP THE RECEIPT. WE DECIDED AT THIS POINT TO HOLD OUT AND SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AS THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS CORRECTLY APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE TIME AT THIS POINT. *NM
Electrical system, Apr 21, 2006
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE BROKE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. IT WENT TO A "0 SPEED" OF 40 MPH. IN OTHER WORDS, WHILE MOVING AT 25 MPH MY SPEEDOMETER READ 65 MPH. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN AND WAS FORCED TO MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY BECAUSE I WAS A HAZARD TO OTHER TRAFFIC. THIS WAS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT. IN JANUARY 2005 THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. I SLOWED FOR TRAFFIC AND AS I ACCELERATED BACK TO THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT MY SPEEDOMETER READ OVER 100 MPH. I DID NOT KNOW MY SPEED AND WAS FORCED TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF A MAJOR FREEWAY. THAT SPEEDOMETER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT ONLY LASTED 32194 MILES AND 15 MONTHS. BESIDES THE OBVIOUS DANGER IN HAVING A SPEEDOMETER FAIL SUDDENLY, THERE IS THE INHERENT CONCERN THAT EVEN IF I WAS INVOLVED IN EVEN A MINOR FENDER-BENDER, THE POLICE INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT WOULD INACCURATELY FIND I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ABOVE MY ACTUAL SPEED AND THE BURDEN WOULD BE ON ME TO PROVE OTHERWISE. AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TASK. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 14, 2006
MY ODOMETER STOPPED FUNCTIONING ON MY 2004 TAHOE Z71. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING TO ALL OF THE TAHOE'S AND THEY WERE BACK LOGGED TRYING TO GET THE PARTS. IT TOOK OVER A WEEK TO GET MY TAHOE BACK. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY REPAIRED MY CLUSTER. THE HOUR METER HAS 279 HOURS LESS NOW THAN IT DID WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. THE MILEAGE HAD 4 MORE MILES ON IT. I CALLED AND ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE HOUR METER HAD 279 HOURS LESS AND ASKED HIM IF THEY REPAIRED THE CLUSTER OR REPLACED IT? HE SAID THEY REPAIRED IT. SO I CALLED MY BROTHER IN-LAW WHO'S BEEN A MECHANIC FOR CHEVY FOR OVER 29 YEARS. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER AND JUST REPROGRAMMED THE MILEAGE AND HOURS. WHY WOULD THE DEALER MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT TO ME AND TELL ME THAT THEY REPAIRED THE CLUSTER WHEN THEY MUST HAVE REPLACED IT? ALSO, WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN A RECALLED BY CHEVY? IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS HAPPENING TO ALL THE TAHOE'S. I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT HOME, SO I CAN NOT TELL YOU IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY CORRECTED.*JB
Electrical system, Dec 23, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME STUCK ON 0, 30 OR 70 MPH. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE CLUSTER WAS NOT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATE 1/11/2006 - *NM
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2005
WHEN VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE RAIN, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AT $350. DOLLARS. THIS INVOLVED PARTIAL PULLING OF DASH TO ACCESS. THREE WEEKS LATER THE HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR MOUNTED ON DASH HAD FALLEN INSIDE THE DASH. DEALER CLAIMS THAT AT THE SAME TIME SENSOR UN-ATTACHED, BOTH HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY. THEY WILL NOT TAKE ANY OF THE BLAME, AND CONSIDER ALL EVENTS TO BE UNRELATED. *NM
Electrical system, Seats, Sep 22, 2005
MEMORY SEAT DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN YOU USE FOB OR KEY TO ACCESS VEHICLE SEATS, CLIMATE, MIRRORS AND RADIO RANDOMLY CHOOSE THEIR OWN POSITIONS. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Equipment, Aug 3, 2005
DT: CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY FAILED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED AN AIR CONDITIONING MODULE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL LOST BRAKING CAPABILITY, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP VERIFIED THIS WA SHAPPENING, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Electrical system, May 16, 2005
THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE BUTTON FOR THE HEAT IS TURNED ON, MAKING THE ABILITY TO SEE THE MIRROR FOR THE BLIND SPOT DIFFICULT. THE DOORS LOCKED ON THEIR OWN, WHICH PREVENTED ENTERING AND EXITING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE MEMORY MODULE THAT CONTROLLED THE DRIVERS SEAT, MIRROR, LOCKS AND FOOT PEDALS, DID NOT STAY IN MEMORY AND WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER WOULD BECOME UNABLE TO REACH THE PEDAL, GAS PEDAL, THE MIRRORS COLLAPSED AND HAD BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *SC *JB