IllustrationERRATIC OPERATION OF SPEEDOMETER. OTHER GAUGES SEEM TO FLUCTUATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *NM
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 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
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 reportsSPEEDOMETER WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL READ 35 MPH WHEN I AM DOING AT LEAST 70 MPH. OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT REGISTER ANYTHING AT ALL. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY OTHER GM FULL SIZE TRUCKS/SUVS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE AND WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO EXIT A HIGHWAY RAMP …
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SPEEDOMETER WILL MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. IT WILL READ 35 MPH WHEN I AM DOING AT LEAST 70 MPH. OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT REGISTER ANYTHING AT ALL. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY OTHER GM FULL SIZE TRUCKS/SUVS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE AND WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO EXIT A HIGHWAY RAMP AT THE POSTED SPEED YOU CAN NOT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING SPEEDOMETER. NEED A RECALL TO REPAIR THESE SPEEDOMETERS BEFORE SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR. *NM
TL* THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HIS 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE AT 70 MPH AND USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND AFTER HE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 48 MPH. WHILE ACCELERATING THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 120 MPH AND WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAS AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FO…
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TL* THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HIS 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE AT 70 MPH AND USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND AFTER HE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 48 MPH. WHILE ACCELERATING THE SPEEDOMETER INCREASED TO 120 MPH AND WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAS AN APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR.*AK
DRIVER SIDE FOG LAMP CAME FREE ON THE FRONT BUMPER, DANGLING BY THE ELECTRICAL CABLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE. FAULTY ENGINEERING REGARDING THE PLACEMENT AND SECURE OF THE FOG LAMP ONTO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE LARGE FOG LAMP EVENTUALLY CAME FREE AND OBVIOUSLY WENT UNDER THE TIRE, AS IT DANGLED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TIRE…
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DRIVER SIDE FOG LAMP CAME FREE ON THE FRONT BUMPER, DANGLING BY THE ELECTRICAL CABLE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE. FAULTY ENGINEERING REGARDING THE PLACEMENT AND SECURE OF THE FOG LAMP ONTO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE LARGE FOG LAMP EVENTUALLY CAME FREE AND OBVIOUSLY WENT UNDER THE TIRE, AS IT DANGLED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TIRE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A PUNCTURED TIRE AND POTENTIAL ACCIDENT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOG LAMP HAD POTENTIAL TO INJURE OTHERS DRIVING BEHIND ME, IMPACTING THEIR WINDSHIELD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, AS IT CLEARED MY VEHICLE AFTER DETACHMENT. *JB
SPEEDOMETER STUCK AT 120 MPH AT ALL TIMES. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL HOW FAST VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT ANY TIME. TAHOE JUST REACHED 36000 MILES THIS WEEKEND. WHAT A SHAME SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE WE HAVE TO TRANSPORT OUR 8-MONTH OLD IN. *NM
MY SPEEDOMETER HAS GONE FAULTY. IT READS 55+ MPH AT A STOP. IT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND 4,000 MILES PAST THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS AS IF I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TAHOE/T2BGKBGI55EK…
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MY SPEEDOMETER HAS GONE FAULTY. IT READS 55+ MPH AT A STOP. IT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND 4,000 MILES PAST THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS AS IF I AM NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-TAHOE/T2BGKBGI55EKNU77C/P4. *NM
2003 CHEVY TAHOE, 44,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER FAILED. STUCK ON 40 MPH. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER REPAIR, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVY TAHOE THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS ERRATICALLY GOING ANYWHERE FROM -0- TO -120-. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN DRIVING EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR DRIVING IN TOWN. WE FEEL THAT THE CHEVROLET CORPORATION SHOULD DO A MAJOR RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. IF CHEVROLET TAKES PRIDE…
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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 CHEVY TAHOE THE SPEEDOMETER ACTS ERRATICALLY GOING ANYWHERE FROM -0- TO -120-. WE FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SCARY FEELING WHEN DRIVING EITHER ON THE FREEWAY OR DRIVING IN TOWN. WE FEEL THAT THE CHEVROLET CORPORATION SHOULD DO A MAJOR RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. IF CHEVROLET TAKES PRIDE IN THERE VEHICLES THEY WILL DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT FOR ALL OF US WHO DRIVE THERE VEHICLES. *JB
SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER BOTH WENT TO ZERO , AND CEASED FUNCTIONING CURRENTLY CAN'T TELL SPEED OF TRAVEL. *JB
2004 TAHOE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT TRANSMISSION ENGAGING***CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T ENGAGE WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS OWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. UPDATED *JB
Official recalls
205V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Apr 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.
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.
04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Feb 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.