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, Feb 14, 2007
2004 CHEVY TAHOE FAULTY SPEEDOMETER STARTED OCCURRING IN JANUARY 2007 AS OF TODAY 2/14/07 IT IS INACCURATE EACH TIME AUTO IS STARTED. NEVER RESETS ITSELF. HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED AS THE COSTS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR AN ISSUE THAT IS CLEARLY A GM PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 6, 2007
SPEEDOMETER FAILURE- VEHICLE IN A PARKED POSITION AND SPEEDOMETER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. WHEN TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 65 ON HIGHWAY SPEEDOMETER SHOWS TRAVELING 120 MPH. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 5, 2007
SPEEDOMETER AND TACH NOT WORKING, SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 120 MPH, TACH JUMPS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE SEEN ON TOPIC.NET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE NOT KNOWING WHAT SPEED THEY ARE GOING! *JB
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2007
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 TAHOE DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR DROPPED TO ZERO. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT OFF. I CHECKED THE OIL, WHICH WAS FINE, AND RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE PRESSURE RETURNED TO NORMAL. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED EXCEPT THIS TIME I DID NOT GET OIL PRESSURE BACK. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A SHOP, NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WORKED AGAIN. AT THIS TIME I WAS ADVISED THAT THE OIL SENDING UNIT MAY BE FAULTY AND PAID TO HAVE IT CHANGED. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND FINALLY IT FAILED FOR GOOD. THE REPAIR SHOP VERIFIED THAT THE ENGINE DID HAVE GOOD OIL PRESSURE AND THAT IT WAS AN INDICATING PROBLEM. I FOUND A COMPANY ON-LINE THAT REPAIRED INSTRUMENT PANELS AND CHOSE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE HOME AND REMOVE IT MYSELF TO SEND OFF FOR REPAIR. ON THE WAY HOME, MY SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND NOW READS 25 MPH AT A STAND STILL. ONE PROBLEM I CAN UNDERSTAND. TWO PROBLEMS THIS CLOSE TOGETHER TELLS ME THAT THIS INSTRUMENT PANEL IS JUNK. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I HAVE SPENT FOR SUCH POOR QUALITY. I WOULD HOPE THAT GM WILL BACK ITS PRODUCTS AND RE-CALL THESE PANELS OR AT LEAST COVER THE REPAIR COSTS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL PROBLEMS. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2007
AROUND 37,000 MILES MY SPEEDOMETER BEGAN ACTING UP. IT WILL READ ANYTHING FROM 0-120 MPH AT ANY SPEED. THIS HAS BECAME A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE SPEEDOMETER READS 70 MPH, BUT UNTIL YOU PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND GET A SENSE OF YOUR ACTUAL SPEED THAT I REALIZE THE SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK, AND I REALLY AM TRAVELING CLOSER TO 85 OR 90. GM HAS TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE SPEEDOMETER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. A COST OF AROUND $450. *NM
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2007
SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING. SOMETIMES IT FIXES ITSELF. OTHER TIMES IT STOPS AND WON'T GO BELOW 30. TODAY IT WOULDN'T GO LOWER THAN 60. ALSO, IT WILL BE BURIED AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. *JB
Steering, Feb 2, 2007
DEALER INFORMS ME OF PROBLEM WITH STEERING COLUMN. REQUIRES OVER $100 TO FIX. SERVICE REP INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS NUMEROUS TIME PER MONTH IN THEIR SHOP. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH LIKE VEHICLES THAT SAY THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I POSTPONED SERVICE THIS TIME AS I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN WITH LUBRICANT "FIX" TO EXPECT REPEATED AND CONTINUAL REPETITIONS OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM ALSO WAITING FOR A RECALL TO BE ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AS I UNDERSTAND IT IS SO PREVALENT. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2007
SPEEDOMETER WOULD FREEZE AT 50 THEN 70 THEN 35 AND NOW JUST STUCK ON 0. 54000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. $3-500 REPAIR JOB. MAKES IMPORTS LOOK GOOD. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2007
SPEEDOMETER ON MY 04 TAHOE ISN'T WORKING, PEGGED AT 120 MPH WHEN STOPPED. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2007
AS MY 2004 TAHOE APPROACHED 43K MILES THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. WITHIN 2-3K MILES IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. NOW IT ONLY WILL RISE AS HIGH AS 20-30 MPH. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2007
ERRATIC OPERATION OF SPEEDOMETER. OTHER GAUGES SEEM TO FLUCTUATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 25, 2007
SPEEDOMETER WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL READ 35 MPH WHEN I AM DOING AT LEAST 70 MPH. OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT REGISTER ANYTHING AT ALL. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY OTHER GM FULL SIZE TRUCKS/SUVS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE AND WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO EXIT A HIGHWAY RAMP AT THE POSTED SPEED YOU CAN NOT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER. NEED A RECALL TO REPAIR THESE SPEEDOMETERS BEFORE SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jan 24, 2007
TL* THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HIS 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE AT 70 MPH AND USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND AFTER HE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 48 MPH. WHILE ACCELERATING THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 120 MPH AND WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAS AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR.*AK
Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2007
DRIVER SIDE FOG LAMP CAME FREE ON THE FRONT BUMPER, DANGLING BY THE ELECTRICAL CABLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE. FAULTY ENGINEERING REGARDING THE PLACEMENT AND SECURE OF THE FOG LAMP ONTO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE LARGE FOG LAMP EVENTUALLY CAME FREE AND OBVIOUSLY WENT UNDER THE TIRE, AS IT DANGLED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TIRE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A PUNCTURED TIRE AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOG LAMP HAD POTENTIAL TO INJURE OTHERS DRIVING BEHIND ME, IMPACTING THEIR WINDSHIELD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, AS IT CLEARED MY VEHICLE AFTER DETACHMENT. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 18, 2007
SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 120 MPH AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT ANY TIME. TAHOE JUST REACHED 36000 MILES THIS WEEKEND. WHAT A SHAME SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE WE HAVE TO TRANSPORT OUR 8-MONTH OLD IN. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2007
MY SPEEDOMETER HAS GONE FAULTY. IT READS 55+ MPH AT A STOP. IT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND 4,000 MILES PAST THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS AS IF I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TAHOE/T2BGKBGI55EKNU77C/P4. *NM
Electrical system, Jan 11, 2007
2003 CHEVY TAHOE, 44,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER FAILED. STUCK ON 40 MPH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER REPAIR, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *JB
Electrical system, Jan 2, 2007
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVY TAHOE THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS ERRATICALLY GOING ANYWHERE FROM -0- TO -120-. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN DRIVING EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR DRIVING IN TOWN. WE FEEL THAT THE CHEVROLET CORPORATION SHOULD DO A MAJOR RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. IF CHEVROLET TAKES PRIDE IN THERE VEHICLES THEY WILL DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT FOR ALL OF US WHO DRIVE THERE VEHICLES. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2006
SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER BOTH WENT TO ZERO , AND CEASED FUNCTIONING CURRENTLY CAN'T TELL SPEED OF TRAVEL. *JB
Power train, Dec 26, 2006
2004 TAHOE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT TRANSMISSION ENGAGING***CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T ENGAGE WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. UPDATED *JB
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2006
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER IN 2004 CHEVY TAHOE. SPEEDOMETER READS 30-35 MPH ABOVE ACTUAL SPEED. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2006
SPEEDOMETER ON 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE NO LONGER IS ACCURATE. IT REFLECTS 120 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. *NM
Structure, Dec 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A TURN, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE HINGE AND REPLACED THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Electrical system, Dec 14, 2006
ONE DAY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING STRANGE. THE SPEEDOMETER WAS JERKY. ONCE I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE SPEEDOMETER WENT PASS 0 MPH. THEN WHEN I GOT GOING AGAIN ON CITY STREETS THE SPEEDOMETER WAS OFF BY 20 MPH. EVENTUALLY THE SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING ON THAT TRIP. EVER SINCE THAT DAY THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN JERKY AND SOMETIMES REPORTING THE WRONG SPEED OR NOT WORKING AT ALL. *JB
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2006
2004 CHEVY TAHOE SPEEDOMETER AND ASSOCIATED GAUGES READ ERRATIC. ONGOING PROBLEM, SPEEDOMETER NEVER GOES BELOW 80 MPH, EVEN WHEN STANDING STILL. DON'T WANT TO PAY THE SUGGESTED $500-600 TO FIX WHEN GM SHOULD PAY FOR IT. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY RISK. *NM