IllustrationFRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPPED WORKING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY . WIRE WAS STRAPPED DOWN TO THE MOTOR HOUSING CAUSING PRESSURE . THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
1996 Chevrolet Tahoe
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tahoe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 41 of 283 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
27 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
283 reportsTHIS MODEL HAS THE MANUAL TRANSFER CASE SHIFT LEVER. ALTHOUGH THE LEVER MOVES CORRECTLY IN THE VARIOUS POSITIONS, SUCH AS 2WD., 4WD. HIGH 4WD. LOW, NEUTRAL AND MAKES THE USUAL NOISES WHEN SHIFTING, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT ENGAGING NOR IS THE INDICATOR LIGHT , SHOWING THE FRONT AXLE IS ENGAGED, LIGHTING UP. THIS HAS CAUSED S…
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THIS MODEL HAS THE MANUAL TRANSFER CASE SHIFT LEVER. ALTHOUGH THE LEVER MOVES CORRECTLY IN THE VARIOUS POSITIONS, SUCH AS 2WD., 4WD. HIGH 4WD. LOW, NEUTRAL AND MAKES THE USUAL NOISES WHEN SHIFTING, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT ENGAGING NOR IS THE INDICATOR LIGHT , SHOWING THE FRONT AXLE IS ENGAGED, LIGHTING UP. THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS IN " ALMOST ACCIDENTS" AND ALMOST BEING STRANDED. WE LIVE IN A RURAL SETTING WHERE THERE IS A 11 MILE DISTANCE BETWEEN SOME NEIGHBORS AND VERY SPARSE CELL PHONE ACCESS. THE POINT BEING THAT WHEN WE BUY A VEHICLE WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE , WE EXPECT IT TO WORK AND OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT! IN THIS CASE A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR WOULD PROVIDE BETTER TRACTION, HAVING THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE OVER THE DRIVE WHEELS, RATHER THAN HAVING THE LIGHT REAR END WHEELS TRYING TO PUSH THE HEAVY FRONT END OF A TRUCK AROUND. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING A VEHICLE EXPECTING IT TO PERFORM AS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE, SUCH AS IN STEERING AND ADDED GRIP AND MANEUVERABILITY, THE UNEXPECTED SURPRISE EQUALS THAT OF A BRAKE FAILURE! YOUR HELP AND RESEARCH IN THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT A IGNORANT, LYING. AND EXPENSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER STATE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THANKS!*AK
I SENT THE FOLLWING TO GM>>>I OWN A 96' CHEVROLET TAHOE. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT I HAVE A MAJOR CONCERN. MY BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE PADS, SO I HAD THEM REPLACED, THEN MY ROTORS WARPED... SO I HAD THEM REPLACED ALSO, MY BRAKES STILL FELT SOFT SO I KEPT DRIVING IT LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 5000 MILES, NEXT I'M DRIVING ON A…
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I SENT THE FOLLWING TO GM>>>I OWN A 96' CHEVROLET TAHOE. I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT I HAVE A MAJOR CONCERN. MY BRAKES ARE HORRIBLE, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE PADS, SO I HAD THEM REPLACED, THEN MY ROTORS WARPED... SO I HAD THEM REPLACED ALSO, MY BRAKES STILL FELT SOFT SO I KEPT DRIVING IT LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 5000 MILES, NEXT I'M DRIVING ON A FLAT ROAD AND COME TO A STOP. I TAKE OFF FROM THIS COUNTRY ROAD AND SEE A DEER, I HIT MY BRAKES AND NOTHING!!!! THE BRAKE FADE IS SO BAD THAT I GO BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN. HE SUGGESTS A MASTER CYLINDER (OUCH) SO I FOOLISHLY GIVE HIM MY MONEY. NEXT DAY I'M GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL AND AGAIN MAJOR BRAKE FADE. I AM REALLY UPSET AND HONESTLY FRIGHTENED OF YOUR VEHICLE. IN READING SOME OF THE NEWS GROUPS ON THE INTERNET, I FIND THAT MANY FOLKS HAVE CONTACTED GM AND ALERTED YOU TO THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE FIX OUR BRAKES BEFORE ONE OF US AND/OR AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. PLEASE HELP SAVE LIVES, DON'T BE LIKE FORD AND DENY AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH YOUR 92-99 TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AND PICKUPS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH THE FRONT HOOD OPENED ON ITS OWN AND WAS PUSHED AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING VISION. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT A BUMP, NOR HAD THE HOOD BEEN OPENED RECENTLY.*AK
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME WITHIN A 2 YEARS THAT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 1 YEAR 7 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION WITH A 5 YEARS PERIOD. NEVER HAULED ANYTHING, NORMAL DRIVING ON REGULAR ROADS. NEVER BEEN ON A DIRT ROAD. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AND USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERSTHEY ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING POOR VISIBILTY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT MY VIN IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH CHEVY TRUCKS MADE FROM 1994-1996 WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
TAILGATE RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE OUT WHERE THE LATCH/RELEASE MECHANISM IS WELDED INSIDE THE TAILGATE.*AK
ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CAUSING EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE. NO INDIACTIONS OF EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS IE. ABS DASH LIGHT, BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION, VEHICLE JUST NYS SAFETY INSPECTED.*AK
NOTICED VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING WHEEL AND AUTOMOBILE WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT.HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED.TECH NOTICED THAT THAT LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BROKEN BELT. REPLACED TIRE. SAME PROBLEM OCURRED AT 37933 MILES WITH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE,BUT THIS TIME TIRE WENT FLAT.SAW A PUNCTURE HOLE BUT NO EVIDENCE OF NAIL OR ANYTHING E…
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NOTICED VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING WHEEL AND AUTOMOBILE WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT.HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED.TECH NOTICED THAT THAT LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BROKEN BELT. REPLACED TIRE. SAME PROBLEM OCURRED AT 37933 MILES WITH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE,BUT THIS TIME TIRE WENT FLAT.SAW A PUNCTURE HOLE BUT NO EVIDENCE OF NAIL OR ANYTHING ELSE. NOTICED BUKGE ON SIDE OF TIRE WHEN INFLATED WITH AIR. *AK
THE DISCS AND THE CYLINDER HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. IF WE DRIVE IN THE NEARBY SMOKEY MOUNTAINS THE BRAKES BEGIN TO SMOKE SOON AFTER STARTING DOWNHILL WHERE MORE BRAKING THAN USUAL IS REQUIRED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE GMC DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TAHOE THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 1…
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THE DISCS AND THE CYLINDER HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND NOW NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. IF WE DRIVE IN THE NEARBY SMOKEY MOUNTAINS THE BRAKES BEGIN TO SMOKE SOON AFTER STARTING DOWNHILL WHERE MORE BRAKING THAN USUAL IS REQUIRED. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE GMC DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE TAHOE THAT THE BRAKES ON THE 1996 VEHICLE WERE TOO SMALL AND HAVE SINCE BEEN UPGRADED ON LATER VEHICLES. YET THEY CHARGE US TO REPLACE THE BRAKE DISCS OR CYLINDER. WE BASICALLY CAN NOT DRIVE IN ANY MOUNTAIN AREAS WITH JUST PASSENGERS, MUCH LESS PULLING ANYTHING.*AK
Official recalls
303V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Apr 28, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
Jul 1, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.
96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Apr 4, 1996
THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure
Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
EA00024 · Headlight
Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
No summary supplied.
EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE00017 · Headlight
Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.
PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.
RQ99015 · Front Seat Recliner Bolt Failure
Opened Jul 14, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.