Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
7425–50K
9450–75K
6875–100K
79100–150K
36150K+
388 reports with mileage · 79 unknown
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.
Electrical System. Review the 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports7 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
467 reports
120,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SHE HEARD A FLUTTERING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE WHEEL SENSOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SHE HEARD A FLUTTERING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WHEEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE ABS AND THE FLUTTERING CEASED. AFTERWARD WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES THE STEERING WOULD BECOME TIGHT BUT ONLY WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462778
5 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR THAT DISPLAYED WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATING. OFTEN WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR THAT DISPLAYED WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATING. OFTEN WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GEAR CLUSTER WIRING HARNESS BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE GEAR INDICATOR CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 59,897.
NHTSA ODI #10461345
83,784 miles · Jun 8, 2012
Service Brakes
APPLIED BRAKES AFTER ANOTHER DRIVER CUT ME OFF AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM APPEARED IN THE ODOMETER ALONG WITH THE ABS LIGHT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10461056
101,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
VisibilityFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT THROUGH THE WINDOWS AND FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY HEATER BLOWER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD HOWEVER, ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN PERTAINING TO THE HEATER BLOWER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 06/26/12 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10460442
75,000 miles · May 25, 2012
Electrical System
CONTROL PANEL CLUSTER IS FAILING FIRST CAUSING THE GAS GAUGE TO NOT WORK AT ALL AND THEN THE SPEEDOMETER TO MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459664
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2012
Service Brakes, AirSuspension
WHILE COMING TO A SLOW STOP OF 5 TO 10MPH, THE ABS KICKS IN.AFFECTED PART IS THE FRONT BEARING AND ABS SENSOR, CAUSED BY RUST BUILD UP IN THE UNIT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10458589
77,000 miles · Apr 25, 2012
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM SUFFERED A MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM SUFFERED A MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10456434
98,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Electrical System
INSTRUMENTATION PROBLEM. SPEEDOMETER STEPPER MOTOR DOES NOT RESET TO ZERO. THIS RESULTS IN THE INACCURATE REPORTING OF VEHICLE SPEED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET. WE LENT A TON OF MONEY TO GM AND THEY NEED TO BE CALLED TO THE CARPET TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES PROMPTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454716
109,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Steering
LOSS OF RIGHT TURN STEERING ASSIST AT IDLE SPEEDS (E.G. WHILE PARKING). THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET. WE LENT A TON OF MONEY TO GM AND THEY NEED TO BE CALLED TO THE CARPET TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES PROMPTLY. PLEASE HAVE BARACK CALL ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454714
176,800 miles · Mar 21, 2012
Electrical System
THE RPM AND SPEED GAUGES ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL ARE NOT WORKING. *JS
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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