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: engine
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jul 15, 2012
I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CHEVY TAHOE IS SEPTEMBER 2009 WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 71,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS USING A LOT OF OIL AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THEIR WAS NO OIL LEAKS AND PERFORMED A COMPRESSION TEST. SINCE THAT DATE I HAVE NEEDED TO ADD ADDITIONAL OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT STARTED TO USE A LOT OF COOLANT. I HAVE ADDED ABOUT 4 GALLONS OF COOLANT IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE ENGINE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE CASTECH HEADS IN THIS MODEL WERE POROUS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO CRACK. THE DEALER IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6400. I FEEL CHEVY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE CASTECH HEADS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER HEAD, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2011, fire
BLOWER RESISTOR CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE IT PLUGS INTO THE FRONT BLOWER MOTOR. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 20, 2011
COOLANT LOSS WITHOUT SIGNS OF LEAK. LOSS OF OIL WITH NO SIGNS OF LEAK. LIFTERS CHATTERING ON COLD START. PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE ON START-UP. LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS MADE BY CASTECH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2010
THE GM 5.3L BUILT BETWEEN 2002 AND 2006 USING CASTEK CORPORATION ENGINE HEADS WERE INCORRECTLY BUILT PER GM AND CASTEK. THE HEADS LEAK ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND BURNS OFF CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND REQUESTS THE HEADS BE CHANGED OUT BUT AT THE CLIENTS EXPENSE. WITH THE LOSS OF COOLANT AND INEVITABLE ENGINE DAMAGE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REPLACED AT GM COST. TECHNICAL BULLETIN 06-06-01-019B ISSUED 6/12/2007.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 13, 2010
2004 CHEVY TAHOE WITH CASTECH HEADS HAS A HISTORY OF RUNNING HOT OR OVERHEATING WITH LITTLE WARNING. IN THE COOLER MONTHS, WILL FAIL TO HEAT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. CAN LEAVE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS (LIKELY CHILDREN) WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION IN A HARSH ENVIRONMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 27, 2010
THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS FOR THE 5.3L GM MOTORS BUILT BY CASTECH LEAK COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE OVERHEAT AND INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURES. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN #060601019B TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. GM WILL NOT OFFER CUSTOMERS ANY FINANCIAL HELP IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THIS ISSUE EFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY OF THE PERSONS IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FOULED ENGINE OIL CAUSES THE LIFTERS TO FAIL, THE OIL PRESSURE TO DROP AND THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION BY THE FOULED OIL AND THE DRIVER HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS IS HAPPENING AS THERE IS NO EXTERNAL INDICATORS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2010
CONSUMING OIL AND WATER - NEEDING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL AND 1 GALLON WATER/COOLANT PER 900 MILES. NO LEAKS, NO DRIPPING, NO SPOTS ON GARAGE FLOOR. AT START UP, THERE IS A LARGE CLOUD OF BLUE/WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. SOMETIMES THERE IS A VERY LOUD TAPPING IN THE ENGINE UNTIL WELL AFTER REACHING NORMAL TEMPERATURE. OIL AND WATER IS BEING CONSUMED INTERNALLY - DUE TO CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CERTAIN ENGINE BLOCKS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2008
2004 TAHOE, 79,000 MILES. ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE IF I HAD NOT NOTICED AND STOPPED. GM DEALER SAYS OVERHEAING DUE TO CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD AND CONFIRMED TSB 06-06-01-019B (06/12/2007) APPLIES TO VEHICLE, WHICH ADMITS THERE IS KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN CERTAIN CYLINDER HEADS WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTERNALLY CAUSING OVERHEATING AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER REPAIR. I HAVE PENDING COMPLAINT WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO PAY FOR DAMAGE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT CAN LEAD TO OVERHEATING, ENGINE FAILURE AND POTENTIAL FIRE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS ON INTERNET OF SAME PROBLEMS BY OTHER OWNERS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 25, 2007
I HAVE BEEN HEARING A RATTLING SOUND UNDERNEATH MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, I HEAR A POPPING NOISE, MAYBE FROM THE MUFFLER AREA. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT COULD BE ALREADY WITH ONLY 85K ON THE CAR. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Feb 26, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 80000 MILES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN START MOVING AGAIN THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STAY AT ZERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER TO WORK AGAIN WAS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT AND RESTART. THIS PROBLEM MADE THE CONTACT RUN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE OIL GAUGE WASINCORRECT AS WELL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL PANEL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. HAVE NOT HAD A CORRECT READING IN MONTHS.
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
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
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2005
DT: THE CALLER STATED VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND IDLING. THE ENGINE HESITATED JUST BEFORE IT STALLED. DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN A COMPUTER CHIP THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME HE HAD IT IN THEY TOLD HIM HE MAY BE OUT OF GAS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. *AK *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 25, 2005
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 76 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS STALLED, AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE OWNER HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT. VEHICLE STARTED BACK UP, AND DIED TWICE AFTER THAT WITHIN 40 MILES. THE OWNER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE OWNER CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM. THE OWNER STATED VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE OWNER CONTACTED CHEVROLET, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM, AND ADVISED THE OWNER TO CALL BACK TODAY. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED SINCE LAST YEAR. THE OWNER WAS STILL DRIVING, IT BUT DID NOT WANT THE CAR ANYMORE SINCE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 26, 2004
IDLING OR WHEN VEHICLE IS HOT IT BACKS FIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 20, 2004
PURCHASED NEW 2004 Z-71 TAHOE 06-30-04. NOTICED VEHICLE HAD A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMMING FROM EXHAUST. DEALER HAD A BULLETIN STATING GM ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM BUT HAD NO FIX. CONTACTED GM SIX WEEKS AGO AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED BY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER.HAVE NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED....
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 13, 2004
THERE IS A VERY OBVIOUS POP/PING, ALMOST LIKE A BELL LIKE SOUND THAT IS COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE AND THE SOUND CAN BE HEARD DURING IDLE OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2004
LOUD POPPING/PINGING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLE POSITION OR WHEN IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jun 18, 2004
LOUD POPPING/PINGING NOISES COMING FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM WHEN CAR IS IN IDLE POSITION OR WHEN CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED MUFFLER BUT PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER. GM STATES IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT A FIX FOR IT. SAYS IT IS DEFINITELY THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.*AK