IllustrationEMERGENCY BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR, DOES NOT WORK LUCKILY DISCOVERED UPON SAFETY INSPECTION MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CHEVROLET TRUCKS AND SUV'S ARE ALL HAVING THIS PROBLEM, ISN"T THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, SINCE I CAN NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE.*AK
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 reportsCONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING ASSEMBLY PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE TAILGATE WINDOW FELL INWARD AND CRASHED ON THE FLOOR.*AK
LOSS OF MOST STEERING AND SERVICE BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY. STEERING FLUID LOSS DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED STEERING FLUID HOSE CLAMP. AN ASSEMLY CLIP WAS LEFT ON THE HOSE CLAMP AT THE FACTORY WHICH PREVENTED HOSE CLAMP FROM TIGHTENING. THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF MOST STEERING AND BRAKING WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOS ACCIDENT IF EVENT HA…
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LOSS OF MOST STEERING AND SERVICE BRAKES SIMULTANEOUSLY. STEERING FLUID LOSS DUE TO IMPROPERLY INSTALLED STEERING FLUID HOSE CLAMP. AN ASSEMLY CLIP WAS LEFT ON THE HOSE CLAMP AT THE FACTORY WHICH PREVENTED HOSE CLAMP FROM TIGHTENING. THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF MOST STEERING AND BRAKING WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOS ACCIDENT IF EVENT HAD OCCURED ON MOUNTAINOUS ROAD OR IF VEHICLE WAS OPERATED BY PERSON WITH LESS STRENGTH. NO WARNING LIGHT OR INDICATION ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER APPEARED. SHOULD NOT THESE TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS FUNCTION INDEPENDANTLY? *AK
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S RPMS REVVED UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY HIGHER THAT 15 MPH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEN DRAINED THEN DRAINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHY THEY WERE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION OR WH…
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WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S RPMS REVVED UP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANY HIGHER THAT 15 MPH. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEN DRAINED THEN DRAINED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY DIDN'T INDICATE WHY THEY WERE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION OR WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. *AK *NM
VEHICLE (2004 CHEVROLET Z71 4X4) PULLS CONSISTENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON FIRM BRAKE APPLICATION (SUCH AS FROM A 65 MPH COASTING CONDITION). AT THE SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SWINGS OUT TO THE LEFT MAKING FOR A VERY UNSTABLE SITUATION. WHEN YOU LET OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE DARTS TO THE LEFT DUE, I ASSUME, TO THE L…
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VEHICLE (2004 CHEVROLET Z71 4X4) PULLS CONSISTENTLY TO THE RIGHT UPON FIRM BRAKE APPLICATION (SUCH AS FROM A 65 MPH COASTING CONDITION). AT THE SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SWINGS OUT TO THE LEFT MAKING FOR A VERY UNSTABLE SITUATION. WHEN YOU LET OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE DARTS TO THE LEFT DUE, I ASSUME, TO THE LEFT-INPUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL THAT YOU'VE HAD TO SUSTAIN TO KEEP THE TRUCK IN ITS LANE. I DROVE SEVERAL LOANERS FROM THE SELLING DEALER THAT, TO MY SURPRISE, ALL DID THE EXACT SAME THING. SEVERAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT INDIVIDUALS CONFIRMED THAT THEIR Z71 WERE ALSO AFFLICTED. THE BRAKE TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT HE FOUND MY VEHICLE "DANGEROUS" AND THAT HE WOULD NOT PUT HIS FAMILY IN IT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THAT THEY HAD CONTACTED CHEVROLET TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND WERE TOLD THAT CHEVROLET WAS AWARE OF THE CONDITION, AS THEY HAD ATTEMPTED TO CURE IT IN A VEHICLE THEY HAD AT THE DETROIT-AREA MANUFACTURING FACILITY, BUT WERE UNABLE. THEREFORE, SINCE ALL OF THESE VEHICLES PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING, IT MUST BE "NORMAL." NO FIX TO BE HAD. I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT IT IS NORMAL, AND HAVE DRIVEN IN EXCESS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND VEHICLES AS MY BASIS FOR DISAGREEMENT. I AM AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS CONDITION HAS NOT CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF NHTSA, AND IS NOT THE SOURCE OF MASSIVE COMPLAINT BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ANYONE ELSE WHO EXPERIENCES THIS CONDITION, PLEASE CHIME IN AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER KEPT THE DEFROSTER ON, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL RECURRED. *AK
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.