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1997 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 88 of 410 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.

  • Steering. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Tires complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesTires

I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT CAR HOP IN ARLINGTON TX. I WAS SOLD IT WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO HAZARDS, BAD TIRES, BAD BRAKES, ONE OF THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN, BAD BATTERY, BAD INSPECTION, NO COVER FOR FUEL FILTER, DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, KEEPS DYING, SPARE TIRE FLEW OFF ON HIGHWAY AND BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE MY KIDS AND I WERE …

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT CAR HOP IN ARLINGTON TX. I WAS SOLD IT WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO HAZARDS, BAD TIRES, BAD BRAKES, ONE OF THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN, BAD BATTERY, BAD INSPECTION, NO COVER FOR FUEL FILTER, DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, KEEPS DYING, SPARE TIRE FLEW OFF ON HIGHWAY AND BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE MY KIDS AND I WERE DRIVING. I AM A DISABLED MOTHER OF TWO AND THEY KNEW THEY GAVE ME A BAD CAR. THE FIRST I HAD 5 KIDS WITH ME AND IT WAS A KIA MINI VAN DIDNT EVEN MAKE IT HOME, THEY HAD TO COME TOW IT. THEN THAY GAVE ME THIS TAHOE. PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE NO OTHER CAR AND IT SCARES ME AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. I AM PAYING EVERY MONTH ON THIS VEHICALE AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO CORPORATE. THEY SENT ME TO THEIR MEHCANIC AND HE EVEN WROTE A E-MAIL DESCRIBING THE CONDITION AND STILL DID NOT CARE CAR HOP. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!! GOD BLESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482549

249,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
EquipmentTires

SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDER VEHICLE. METAL WIRE USED TO HOLD SPARE TIRE UNDER REAR OF VEHICLE BECAME CORRODED AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10420821

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2009
Tires

2 BLOW OUT ON 2 SEPARATE TIRES IN A MATTER OF 3 WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267836

143,480 miles · Apr 10, 2008
Tires

WENT TO BUY TIRES AND 03/06/2008- HAD A FLAT WITH THE SIDE WALL POPPING OUT THEY DID NOT HAVE A WARRANTY IN PLACE ONLY FOR 7 DAYS THAT WAS 4 TIRES EVERY SINCE I HAD THE FLAT I'VE BEEN LOSING AIR IN THE OTHER THREE NOT SLOW LEAK PRETTY REPLY . TIRES BRAND WAS 235/75R 15 GOOD YEAR WRANGLER RT/S. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224056

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2001
Tires

BF GOODRICH TIRE (P255/17R15) DOT# BEM2NX71U49 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND STRUCK CENTER GUARDRAIL, VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558798

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Tires

CONSUMER HAD TIRES INSPECTED AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE SEPARATING ON THE CORNER OF THE TREAD AND SIDEWALLS. ALSO FOUND BUBBLES, TIRES WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, P235/75R16, DOT W70IRF368. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #870335

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Tires

TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM TIRES - I AM REPLACING THE TIRES NOW RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THE RECALL TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 16" TIRES( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255 70 16 )

NHTSA ODI #728660

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2000
Tires

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF OUR VEHICLE. WHEN WE STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, WE FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD FAILED. THERE APPEARS TO BE DEFORMED RUBBER ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A FIRE-HAWK R4S LTP235/75R15. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHKF…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND EXPERIENCED A VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF OUR VEHICLE. WHEN WE STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM, WE FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD FAILED. THERE APPEARS TO BE DEFORMED RUBBER ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS A FIRE-HAWK R4S LTP235/75R15. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHKFMA109 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #727776

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

4

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.

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

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.

EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.