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2005 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 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

243 reports with mileage · 50 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 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports14 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

126 reports
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55,325 miles · Dec 21, 2007
Electrical System

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH 52,400 MILES AND THE SPEEDOMETER JUST GAVE OUT. THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD IS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF AND IN PARK THE SPEEDOMETER STILL INDICATES 40-90 MPH. WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATES ANYWHERE BETWEEN 90-120 MPH. I SPOKE WITH THE DION LLOYD WHO IS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CHAPMA…

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH 52,400 MILES AND THE SPEEDOMETER JUST GAVE OUT. THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD IS NOT WORKING. WHEN THE ENGINE IS OFF AND IN PARK THE SPEEDOMETER STILL INDICATES 40-90 MPH. WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATES ANYWHERE BETWEEN 90-120 MPH. I SPOKE WITH THE DION LLOYD WHO IS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CHAPMAN CHEVROLET IN PAYSON AZ AND HE TOLD ME THAT GM WOULD ONLY FIX 2003 AND 2004 TAHOE'S BUT NOT THE 2005. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD RECALLED THE 2003-204 TAHOES AND WOULD FIX THEM BUT NOT THE 2005. IN RESEARCHING THIS SPEEDOMETER FAILURE ON THE INTERNET IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD BE FIXING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212544

42,280 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STUCK AT 120 MARK- SO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MY EXACT SPEED WAS. I WORK IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS AND TRAFFIC IS PRETTY BAD AT MOST TIMES AND NOT KNOWING HOW FAST/SLOW YOU'RE GOING IS PRETTY DANGEROUS. I TOOK IT TO GET FIXED AT DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED FOR THIS CORRECTION BECAUSE APPARENTLY IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER ANY SP…

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

NHTSA ODI #10212415

60,000 miles · Dec 20, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS WORKING SPORADICALLY AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2003-2004 MODELS; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS WORKING SPORADICALLY AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2003-2004 MODELS; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE LABOR AND REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10212404

51,000 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Electrical System

I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE SPEEDOMETER JUST FELL TO ZERO AND STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BY OUR HOUSE AND THEY WANT $650.00 TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO TONS OF CHEVY TAHOES. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT NOW SO I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT SPEED …

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I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE SPEEDOMETER JUST FELL TO ZERO AND STOPPED WORKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BY OUR HOUSE AND THEY WANT $650.00 TO FIX IT. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO TONS OF CHEVY TAHOES. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT NOW SO I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHAT SPEED I AM GOING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GUESS WHAT YOUR SPEED IS. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210955

42,000 miles · Dec 3, 2007
Electrical System

WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE RETURNING FROM SAINT LOUIS. NOTICED 'SPEED" KEPT GETTING LOWER AND LOWER. LUCKILY, I HAD 2 GPS DEVICES IN MY CAR, AND HAD TO USE THEM TO DETERMINE MY SPEED, AS THE SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY DROPPED BELOW ZERO. I PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTARTED THE TRUCK, IT DIDN'T WORK. THE SPEED INITIALLY SHOW…

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WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE RETURNING FROM SAINT LOUIS. NOTICED 'SPEED" KEPT GETTING LOWER AND LOWER. LUCKILY, I HAD 2 GPS DEVICES IN MY CAR, AND HAD TO USE THEM TO DETERMINE MY SPEED, AS THE SPEEDOMETER EVENTUALLY DROPPED BELOW ZERO. I PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND RESTARTED THE TRUCK, IT DIDN'T WORK. THE SPEED INITIALLY SHOWED ABOUT 40 MPH BELOW MY ACTUAL SPEED, AND THEN DRIFTED BACK DOWN TO BELOW ZERO FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210673

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2007
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC. THE NEEDLE IS JERKY WHEN RISING, AND SOMETIMES THE GAUGE GRADUALLY READS SLOWER SPEEDS UNTIL IT FINALLY HITS 0. THE PROBLEM IS USUALLY RESOLVED BY TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING, BUT THE JERKY NEEDLE IS ALWAYS PRESENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209986

50,000 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 CHEVY TAHOE NO LONGER WORKS CORRECTLY. ON 9-21-07, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RESTING AT 0, AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON MY TAHOE AT THAT TIME. SINCE THEN, THERE ARE DAYS THAT IT WORKS PROPERLY, DAYS THAT IT SITS AT 0, AND THEN THERE ARE DAYS THAT IT …

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THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 CHEVY TAHOE NO LONGER WORKS CORRECTLY. ON 9-21-07, I NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS RESTING AT 0, AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAD APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES ON MY TAHOE AT THAT TIME. SINCE THEN, THERE ARE DAYS THAT IT WORKS PROPERLY, DAYS THAT IT SITS AT 0, AND THEN THERE ARE DAYS THAT IT REGISTERS 30 MPH WHILE I AM DOING CLOSER TO 70 OR IT WILL REGISTER 90 MPH WHILE I AM ONLY DOING 60. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206619

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2007
Electrical System

MY 2005 CHEROLET TAHOE SPEEDOMETER IS NO LONGER WORKING. IT REGISTERS MUCH HIGHER THAN MY ACTUAL SPEED EVEN AT AN IDLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201807

44,545 miles · Aug 17, 2007
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER IS WAY OFF, WHEN SITTING STILL IT REGISTERS 60 MPH., ON THE HIGHWAY IT BOTTOMS OUT AT 120. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199895

33,400 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Electrical SystemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA AND BEHIND THE RADIO CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONER. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROY…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA AND BEHIND THE RADIO CONTROL AND AIR CONDITIONER. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,400. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DEFECT WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 08/28/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199527

Official recalls

5

14V070000 · Electrical System

Feb 11, 2014

Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

05V163000 · 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.

05V103000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Mar 18, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.