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
467 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2007
MY 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS A SPEEDOMETER THAT IS NON-WORKING. I CONTACTED A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ABOUT REPAIR AND IT WILL COST $500.00. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MULTIPLE PARTIES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM REQUESTING THAT NHTSA REQUIRE CHEVROLET TO PLACE A RECALL ON THIS REPAIR WITH SO MANY REQUESTS OUT THERE. AS STATED BY OTHERS, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE AND WITH MANY OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY CHEVROLET. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 26, 2007
SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. IT DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE SPEED READINGS. AT REST, IT READS 20MPH AND ON THE HIGHWAY IT READS UP TO 120MPH ERRATICALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2007
2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE Z71 4X4 MODEL. SPEEDOMETER IS MALFUNCTIONING AND CONSTANTLY READS OVER 100MPH. CAR ONLY HAS 30K MILES ON IT BUT, OF COURSE, THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 18, 2007
DRIVING VEHICLE, LOOKED TO CHECK MY SPEED AND SHOWED I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MPH I KNOW I WAS DRIVING FASTER THAN THAT BECAUSE MY RPM'S SHOWED 2000. THEN SPEEDOMETER CHANGED TO 110, THEN CONTINUED TO FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON 6-8 MONTHS NOW, TO NO AVAIL DEALERSHIP STATED IN THE PAST NO RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MILEAGE OF ORIGINAL INCIDENT 60,000-65,000 MILES. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2007
BOUGHT A USED 2004 CHEVY TAHOE WITH 73,000 MILES ON JULY 5TH 2007, WENT ON VACATION 2 WEEKS LATER AND THE SPEEDOMETER GOT STUCK AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AND KNOW IS VERY ERRATIC AND GETS STUCK AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ALL THE TIME. ALSO FUEL GAGE DOES NOT WORK AT ALL IS BACKWARDS ON THE GAGE SO NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS ACTUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. *JB
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2007
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEED ODOMETER JUMPS TO 90 AND WE WERE ALMOST STOPPED. THEN IT STAYED ON 0 FOR A WHILE WE WERE DRIVING, THEN JUST JUMPS AROUND. IT IS NEVER ACCURATE. CHECKED WITH DEALER AND THEY REPORTED TO US THAT THIS HAS BEEN A REAL PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE. THEY SAID IT WAS THE GAGE CLUSTER GOING OUT AND THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF THEM RECENTLY COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM. AND THE REPAIR COST IS BETWEEN $450.00 - 500.00 . I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION AND THEY SHOULD REPAIR THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE TO VEHICLE OWNERS BECAUSE THIS IS UNSAFE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING LIKE THIS. ITS NOT JUST A FEW VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM ITS ALOT!! *TR
Electrical system, Sep 24, 2007
2004 CHEVY TAHOE WITH ONLY 41K MILES, SPEEDOMETER ACTING ERRATIC, MARKING UNREALISTIC SPEED, EX. 40MPH WHEN ACTUALLY DRIVING 65MPH. *TR
Steering, Sep 21, 2007
THERE HAS BEEN A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FROM MY 2004 TAHOE. THE SOUND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR LIKE WHEN I MAKE A SHARP TURN PARKING ETC. I KNOW OF THIS HAPPENING TO A FEW OF MY FRIENDS CHEVY TRUCKS FROM 02-06. ODD THAT IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET. *JB
Steering, Power train, Sep 4, 2007
2004 TAHOE WITH WOBBLE IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. CUSTOMER STATES THE STEERING MECHANISM WOBBLED WHILE ON THE WAY TO FLORIDA. CUSTOMER HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND CARRIER BEARINGS. *KB THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A WOBBLING IN THE STEERING MECHANISM AND THE CHEVROLET DEALER CORRECTED THE DEFECT IN JANUARY 07. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD AN INSPECTION PERFORMED IN MAY 2007 AT THIELEN MOTORS WHICH ENTAILED A FRONT DIFFERENTIAL PINION, CARRIER BEARINGS, A RELATED DRIVE TRAIN ELEMENTS AND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WHICH MEANS POSSIBLE DEFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE THE DEFECTS INVESTIGATED AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2007
AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY SO YOU COULDN'T TELL HOW FAST YOU WERE GOING. IT CONSIDER THIS DANGEROUS. THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOW USUALLY READING SIMPLY ABOUT 120 MPH AT ALL TIMES. STILL NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM THAT I KNOW OF. AFTER CHECKING A LITTLE BIT ON THE INTERNET, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS AN OVERWHELMINGLY LARGE ISSUE FOR GM OWNERS. *JB
Air bags, Aug 24, 2007, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH 2 OTHER VEHICLES, AT 45 TO 50 MPH, AND MY AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *TR
Seats, Aug 17, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVY TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD REST HAD A BULGE IN IT AND A BROKEN MEDAL BRACKET. THE HEAD REST WAS AN AFTER MARKET HEAD REST WITH A DVD INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,800. THE CONSUMER STATED FEELS BROKEN HEADREST DOES NOT MEET FEDERAL COMPLIANCE FOR SAFETY STANDARDS AND THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED CAN NOT SIT IN THE SEAT WITHOUT THE SHARP METAL PROTRUDING IN THE BACK OF THEIR HEAD. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2007
NORMAL OPERATION AND USE, NEVER OFF ROAD. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 40,000 MILES. AT THIS TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD STICK AT A PARTICULAR SPEED. AFTER TWENTY MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FALL AND REMAIN AT ZERO. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2007
I HAVE A 2004 TAHOE AT 41K MILES, SUDDENLY THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION; WHEN I RAN AT DRIVEWAY THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED OVER 120 MPH; EVEN WHEN I STOP, TURN OFF ENGINE THE SPEEDOMETER STILL SHOW OVER 120MPH AND STUCK LIKE THAT FOREVER. *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
Steering, Jul 23, 2007
CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING ESPECIALLY IN A PARKING SITUATION WHEN YOU HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL HARD. *JB
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2007
SPEEDOMETER STICKS AT 25-30 MPH OVER WHAT THE ACTUAL SPEED SHOULD BE...NEVER RESETS TO 0 WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF...I LIST THIS AS 1 FAILURE BECAUSE IT NEVER CORRECTED ITSELF AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE. *JB
Electrical system, Jul 13, 2007
VEHICLE GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. VHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR HE SAME PROBLEM.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Jul 12, 2007
AT 36,000 MILES SPEEDOMETER FAILED AND READ WRONG SPEED AND THEN LOCKED AT 140 MPH. T 40,000 MILES THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILED AND THE BRAKING WAS REDUCED. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 9, 2007
FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER. *AK
Air bags, Jun 28, 2007, crash
AIR BAGS OF 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED UPON TURNING THE KEY TO THE ON POSITION. DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS STRUCK IN CHEST AND FACE, CAUSING INJURIES, BURNS AND BRUISING), NECK, AND SHOULDER PAIN . SHE IS STILL SEEKING TREATMENTS. ALSO, A NEAR MISCARRIAGE OF UNBORN CHILD. REGIONAL DIAGNOSTICIAN READ BLACK BOX, AND NO TRIGGERS WERE FOUND. GENERAL MOTORS BOUGHT BACK VEHICLE AND WERE WAITING ON SETTLEMENT. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2007
TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER ARE NOT GIVING CORRECT READINGS. THEY CAN BE 3,000RPM AT IDLE OR 100MPH AT ABOUT 40 MPH SOMETIME SHUTTING OFF CAR RESETS IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 20, 2007
THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT CONSISTENT IN DETECTING ACTUAL SPEED DRIVEN. SOMETIMES IT WILL READ 40 MPH WHEN I AM ACTUALLY DRIVING 60 MPH. THIS IS DANGEROUS, AS THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVING AROUND CURBS. GOT A QUOTE FROM DEALER TO REPAIR WHICH WILL BE AROUND $500. MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2004 TRAILBLAZER AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Power train, Jun 18, 2007
2004 CHEVY TAHOE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THIRD TIME BACK TO DEALER FIRST TIME @ 21K MILES SECOND TIME @ 37K MILES BOTH TIMES THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED CAR IS BEENING TOWED BACK TODAY JUNE 18 2007 THREE DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK FROM SECOND TRANSMISSION.