Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
3825–50K
5450–75K
4575–100K
64100–150K
24150K+
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
What owners actually said
293 reports
50,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL SEEM TO BE REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED THEN CHANGES TO A SPEED WE COULD NOT BE GOING. USUALLY UNDER REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED. WE WILL BE GOING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH AND IT WILL READ 30. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WE HAVE TRIED TO COMPENSATE BY USING THE T…
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THE SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL SEEM TO BE REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED THEN CHANGES TO A SPEED WE COULD NOT BE GOING. USUALLY UNDER REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED. WE WILL BE GOING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH AND IT WILL READ 30. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WE HAVE TRIED TO COMPENSATE BY USING THE TACHOMETER BUT LATELY I DON'T FEEL I CAN TRUST IT EITHER. THE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $400 AND $500 AND I NOW READ OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE ME WHO HAVE NOT REPORTED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE TODAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575817
133,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Engine
THE ENGINE HAS COOLANT LEAK AT HEAD. GM IS AWARE THAT THE ENGINES WERE MADE WITH FAULTY HEADS BY A COMPANY CALLED CASTEC THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE IN THE OIL RETURN PORTS. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN BUT ARE UNWILLING TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS REPAIR IS SO COSTLY THAT A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS MORE FEASIBLE. THE AVERAGE…
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THE ENGINE HAS COOLANT LEAK AT HEAD. GM IS AWARE THAT THE ENGINES WERE MADE WITH FAULTY HEADS BY A COMPANY CALLED CASTEC THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE IN THE OIL RETURN PORTS. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN BUT ARE UNWILLING TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS REPAIR IS SO COSTLY THAT A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS MORE FEASIBLE. THE AVERAGE TIME OF THIS REPAIR SEEMS TO BE ONLY 100,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575046
126,987 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL LINE RUSTED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573488
126,987 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Service Brakes
BRAKE LINE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573486
113,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUSED A SMALL SPARK TO IGNITE UNDER THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUSED A SMALL SPARK TO IGNITE UNDER THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #10569359
80,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY WIFE WAS OPERATING OUR TAHOE AND FELT THE BRAKES SEEMED "FUNNY" WE PROCEEDED ONTO THE FREEWAY FOR 40 MILES,UPON GETTING OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LAWS WENT TO LEAVE OUR DESTINATION AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE, TRACTION DISABLED FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO SAID THE BRAKE LINES…
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MY WIFE WAS OPERATING OUR TAHOE AND FELT THE BRAKES SEEMED "FUNNY" WE PROCEEDED ONTO THE FREEWAY FOR 40 MILES,UPON GETTING OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LAWS WENT TO LEAVE OUR DESTINATION AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE, TRACTION DISABLED FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO SAID THE BRAKE LINES WERE "ROTTED TO PIECES" I PUT IT INTO THE SHOP AND HAD THE REAR LINES REPLACED AT A COST OF $506.00. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FRONTS WILL ALSO NEED TO BE DONE. I FEEL THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MATCH UP TO THE ROT INVOLVED ON THE BRAKE LINES IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10567221
115,200 miles · Feb 25, 2014
Power TrainService Brakes
AFTER ATTENDING MY NEPHEW'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKET BALL GAME, MY DAUGHTER AND I RETURNED TO THE TAHOE IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND STARTED TO ROLL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AND THANKFULLY STOPPED THE TAHOE BEFORE HITTING A…
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AFTER ATTENDING MY NEPHEW'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKET BALL GAME, MY DAUGHTER AND I RETURNED TO THE TAHOE IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND STARTED TO ROLL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AND THANKFULLY STOPPED THE TAHOE BEFORE HITTING ANYONE OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN THE LOT. LOOKING AT THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THE DASH LIGHTS, I REALIZED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME RAIL TO THE REAR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACING. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK AND WHILE BLEEDING THE SYSTEM A FRONT LINE WENT FOR THE SAME REASON, CORROSION. I HAD ALL LINES (FRONT & BACK) REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $800. TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC, IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE TAHOE, SILVERADO AND SIMILAR GM VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565732
170,000 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #10560322
154,900 miles · Jan 1, 2014
Electrical System
OUR SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT TELL US HOW FAST WE ARE GOING ALL THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS FINE BUT OCCASIONALLY IT WILL REGISTER A DIFFERENT SPEED THAN WHAT WE ARE TRAVELING. SOMETIMES IT SAYS WE ARE GOING SLOWER THAN WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS WE ARE GOING FASTER THAN WE ARE GOING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558087
83,102 miles · Dec 29, 2013
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE HEATER WAS ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE HEATER OFF. A WHILE LATER WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT BACK ON THE FRONT BLOWER DID NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH THE REAR BLOWER DID. BEING AND EASILY REPLACEABLE PART, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE PANEL OFF TO REMOVE THE BLOWER MOTOR. WH…
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WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE HEATER WAS ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE HEATER OFF. A WHILE LATER WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT BACK ON THE FRONT BLOWER DID NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH THE REAR BLOWER DID. BEING AND EASILY REPLACEABLE PART, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE PANEL OFF TO REMOVE THE BLOWER MOTOR. WHILE TRYING TO GET THE MOTOR OUT HE FOUND THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED TOGETHER AND THE RESISTOR PLUG LOOKED BURNED. WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JULY OF 2005 AND WERE NOT AWARE OF THE GM SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE MATTER UNTIL TODAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE INTERNET I WOULD NOT KNOW IT NOW. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE OWN TWO VEHICLES THAT MY HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT IF I HAD NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE UNIT THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HURT IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF OR MADE MORE PUBLIC? *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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