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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 12, 2004, crash
35 40 MPH CRASH INTO STOPPED VEHICLE, HAVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP SKIDDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLES HAS 3000 MILES (NEW). SAT ON DEALER LOT FOR A YEAR. BOUGHT LESS THAN MONTH. DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS, NO ACCIDENTS *JB
Power train, Oct 25, 2004
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS DOWNDHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND DOWNSHIFTS INTO FIRST HARD AFTER ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES DO TO SECOND GEAR NOT MOVING VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTER LEVER IS MANUALLY PLACED IN FIRST GEAR TRANMISSION DOES NOT REMAIN IN FIRST, WILL AUTOMATICALLY UPSHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR CAUSING TOWING CONDITIONS TO BECOME HARDER.*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
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
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS STUDS BROKE FROM THE BRAKE DRUM AND WHEEL CAME OFF. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2004
WHEN BRAKING/ACCLERATING THERE WOULD BE VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL LINKAGES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Structure, Jul 23, 2004
AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS NOT SOLIDLY FASTENED TO THE FRAME. *MR *SC *JB
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
Parking brake, Jun 1, 2004
EMERGENCY BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR, DOES NOT WORK LUCKILY DISCOVERED UPON SAFETY INSPECTION MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CHEVROLET TRUCKS AND SUV'S ARE ALL HAVING THIS PROBLEM, ISN"T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE I CAN NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE.*AK
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
Structure, May 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE TAILGATE WINDOW FELL INWARD AND CRASHED ON THE FLOOR.*AK
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
Power train, Feb 26, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S RPMS REVVED UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY HIGHER THAT 15 MPH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEN DRAINED THEN DRAINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHY THEY WERE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION OR WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. *AK *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 12, 2004
VEHICLE (2004 CHEVROLET Z71 4X4) PULLS CONSISTENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON FIRM BRAKE APPLICATION (SUCH AS FROM A 65 MPH COASTING CONDITION). AT THE SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SWINGS OUT TO THE LEFT MAKING FOR A VERY UNSTABLE SITUATION. WHEN YOU LET OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE DARTS TO THE LEFT DUE, I ASSUME, TO THE LEFT-INPUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT YOU'VE HAD TO SUSTAIN TO KEEP THE TRUCK IN ITS LANE. I DROVE SEVERAL LOANERS FROM THE SELLING DEALER THAT, TO MY SURPRISE, ALL DID THE EXACT SAME THING. SEVERAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT INDIVIDUALS CONFIRMED THAT THEIR Z71 WERE ALSO AFFLICTED. THE BRAKE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HE FOUND MY VEHICLE "DANGEROUS" AND THAT HE WOULD NOT PUT HIS FAMILY IN IT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT THEY HAD CONTACTED CHEVROLET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND WERE TOLD THAT CHEVROLET WAS AWARE OF THE CONDITION, AS THEY HAD ATTEMPTED TO CURE IT IN A VEHICLE THEY HAD AT THE DETROIT-AREA MANUFACTURING FACILITY, BUT WERE UNABLE. THEREFORE, SINCE ALL OF THESE VEHICLES PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING, IT MUST BE "NORMAL." NO FIX TO BE HAD. I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT IT IS NORMAL, AND HAVE DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND VEHICLES AS MY BASIS FOR DISAGREEMENT. I AM AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS CONDITION HAS NOT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF NHTSA, AND IS NOT THE SOURCE OF MASSIVE COMPLAINT BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ANYONE ELSE WHO EXPERIENCES THIS CONDITION, PLEASE CHIME IN AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
Visibility, Jan 14, 2004
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER KEPT THE DEFROSTER ON, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. *AK