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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 467

Of the 2004 reports, 25 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 24 people were injured and 1 person died.

Primary concernElectrical system214 reports · 46% of complaints
Owner complaints467Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system214
  2. Service brakes84
  3. Steering29
  4. Vehicle speed control27
  5. Engine26
  6. Power train26
  7. Hydraulic23
  8. Engine and engine cooling20

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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: steering

29 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Steering, Jan 4, 2005

    A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. THE NOISE CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING, AND CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE WITH THE MAKE/MODEL, AND YEAR OF THE VEHICLE. A SOLUTION WAS TO PACK THE STEERING SHAFT WITH GREASE. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM,BUT THERE WAS NO CURRENT SOLUTION. *AK

  2. Steering, Suspension, Structure, Oct 8, 2004

    CHEVROLET TAHOE. SWERVED TO MISS A DOG AT 35 MPH AND LOST CONTROL. CAR VERY UNSTABLE. THE FASTER THE SPEED , THE HARDER IT IS TO CONTROL. YOU HAVE TO BE ON THE STEERING EVERY SECOND. IF IT IS WINDY OUT, IT WILL SLIDE OVER TO ANOTHER LANE WITHOUT NOTICE. CAR VERY TOP HEAVY. REPORTED THIS TO DEALER IN MEDFORD, OREGON AND THEY SAID THAT IS WAS NORMAL. NORMAL TO LOSE CONTROL SO EASILY?? PURCHASED NEW AND ONLY HAD 4,800 MILES ON IT AND SOLD IT THAT DAY. I AM A VERY GOOD DRIVER, NO TICKETS OR ACCIDENTS AND DRIVING OVER 45 YEARS. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING OR A CAR HAD BEEN COMING THE OTHER WAY, SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT 60 TO 70 MPH, A CERTAIN ROLL OVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. CAR VERY UNSAFE. *NM

  3. Steering, May 11, 2004

    CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

  4. Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 17, 2004

    LOSS OF MOST STEERING AND SERVICE BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY. STEERING FLUID LOSS DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED STEERING FLUID HOSE CLAMP. AN ASSEMLY CLIP WAS LEFT ON THE HOSE CLAMP AT THE FACTORY WHICH PREVENTED HOSE CLAMP FROM TIGHTENING. THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF MOST STEERING AND BRAKING WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOS ACCIDENT IF EVENT HAD OCCURED ON MOUNTAINOUS ROAD OR IF VEHICLE WAS OPERATED BY PERSON WITH LESS STRENGTH. NO WARNING LIGHT OR INDICATION ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER APPEARED. SHOULD NOT THESE TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS FUNCTION INDEPENDANTLY? *AK