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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

What owners actually said

410 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001
Fuel System, GasolineSteering

SECOND TIME TO REPLACED FUEL PUMP&MODULE,STEERING GIVES OUT ON CORNERS WITH NO WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749192

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE BRAKES FAILED. HAD I NOT REALLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKES EXTREMELY HARD I WOULD HAVE HIT THE MOTOR HOME THAT WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM IT. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS HAD OCCURED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND MAKING AN EMERGENCY …

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WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE BRAKES FAILED. HAD I NOT REALLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKES EXTREMELY HARD I WOULD HAVE HIT THE MOTOR HOME THAT WAS ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM IT. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS HAD OCCURED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP. THIS COMPONENT FAILED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE AND IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER , AND HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE ISSUE, AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER. THE CHEVY DEALER HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT $500 TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER, AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME NO ASSURANCES THAT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD NOT FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER! *AK

NHTSA ODI #749152

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2001
Steering

STEERING POSITION SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO LOSE RESISTANCE AT SPEED. INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A SWEEPING LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS APPLYING CONSTANT LIGHT LEFT HAND PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM LOST RESISTANCE AND THE WHEEL TURNED FREELY AND QUICKLY TO THE LEF…

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STEERING POSITION SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM TO LOSE RESISTANCE AT SPEED. INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A SWEEPING LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS APPLYING CONSTANT LIGHT LEFT HAND PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM LOST RESISTANCE AND THE WHEEL TURNED FREELY AND QUICKLY TO THE LEFT. BEFORE I REGAINED CONTROL I HAD MOVED 1/2 LANE TO THE LEFT. THE PROBLEM WAS VERY INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT GREW INCREASINGLY MORE REGULAR. THE STEERING WOULD SEEM TO TWITCH AND CAUSE MOMENTARY LOSS OF FEEL. I*AK FINALLY REPLACED THE STEERING POSITION SENSOR AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. WHEN I PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT PART AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP, THE PARTS COUNTERMAN NEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT AND COMMENTED THAT IT MUST BE A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAD A WHOLE BIN OF STEERING POSITION SENSORS. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN BE VERY UN-NERVING.

NHTSA ODI #748066

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2001
Suspension

VEHICLE WANDERS OFF TOP THE LEFT AND RIGHT. WHEELS TURN LEFT ALL THE TIME. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891720

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2001
Steering

STEERING BECOMES SPASTIC AT TIMES. IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON ICE. THE STEERING HAS ALSO BECOME UNUSUALLY LOOSE MAKING DRIVING DIFFICULT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #747494

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #745813

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC HAD TO COAST TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY SINCE INCIDENT FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIME…

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WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC HAD TO COAST TO NEAREST SERVICE STATION AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY SINCE INCIDENT FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND COUNTING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745812

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STALLING AND NO STARTING. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER AND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, WITHOUT SUCCESS, THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED FROM THE TANK. THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL GUAGE SENDER WAS MELTED TOGETHER, AND A GREAT DEAL OF THE INSULATION WAS MELTED OFF ONE OF THE WIRES GOING TO THE…

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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STALLING AND NO STARTING. AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER AND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, WITHOUT SUCCESS, THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED FROM THE TANK. THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL GUAGE SENDER WAS MELTED TOGETHER, AND A GREAT DEAL OF THE INSULATION WAS MELTED OFF ONE OF THE WIRES GOING TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE PARTICULAR WIRE THAT WAS MELTED/BURNT SHOWS SEVERE DISCOLORATION IN THE METAL OF THE WIRE ITSELF, AS IF FROM EXTREME HEAT. THIS IS ON AN IN-TANK ASSEMBLY!*AK

NHTSA ODI #745799

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2001
SteeringCrash

STEERING BECOMES OVER SENSITIVE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVER STEER. VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS. 1997-1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE, 1997-1999 GMC YUKON, 1997-1999 CHEVROLET 1500 TRUCKS, 1997-1999 GMC TRUCKS. ANY GM VEHICLE WITH AT V8 GASOLINE POWERED ENGINE WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE. THERE ARE 1000S OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR …

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STEERING BECOMES OVER SENSITIVE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVER STEER. VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS. 1997-1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE, 1997-1999 GMC YUKON, 1997-1999 CHEVROLET 1500 TRUCKS, 1997-1999 GMC TRUCKS. ANY GM VEHICLE WITH AT V8 GASOLINE POWERED ENGINE WILL HAVE THIS FAILURE. THERE ARE 1000S OF COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE AND THIS ADDS TO THEM ONLY NOW YOU ARE AWARE THAT ADDITIONAL MODELS ARE AFFECTED AS WELL. IF THERE IS A FATALITY RESULTING FROM THIS DEFECT THEN ALL CORPORATIONS AND AGENCIES AWARE OF THE DEFECT TIME OF THE DEATH WILL BE LIABLE FOR CIVIL DAMAGES. IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CONSUMER TO SEE THIS DEFECT IS REPAIRED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745513

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Power Train

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #785002

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.