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1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 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

Limited mileage data: 41 of 283 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

14 reports
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147,954 miles · Dec 1, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THEY WERE REPAIRED IN 2001. RECALL 03V159000 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO WROTE ON THE INVOICE THAT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THEY WERE REPAIRED IN 2001. RECALL 03V159000 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO WROTE ON THE INVOICE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING TEMPORARILY AND CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME. THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF GM WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147956 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148114. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BE LOOKED AT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND STALL AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE MUFFLER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10250352

990,364 miles · Dec 11, 2006
Exterior Lighting

1996 TAHOE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. WHEN FLIPPING THE SWITCH TO TURN O HEADLIGHTS THEY DO NOT TURN ON. SPENT ALMOST $200 IN DIAGNOSTIC TIME. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS FATIGUED AND FRAYED MOST LIKELY DUE TO REPEATED ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE TILT STEERING WHEEL. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. USING MIDDLE POSITION…

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1996 TAHOE HEADLIGHT FAILURE. WHEN FLIPPING THE SWITCH TO TURN O HEADLIGHTS THEY DO NOT TURN ON. SPENT ALMOST $200 IN DIAGNOSTIC TIME. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN IS FATIGUED AND FRAYED MOST LIKELY DUE TO REPEATED ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE TILT STEERING WHEEL. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. USING MIDDLE POSITION WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS UNTIL I CAN GET IT REPAIRED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE LIGHT CUT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE DARK. GOOD THING THE DRL WORK. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175869

115,000 miles · Dec 6, 2006
Exterior Lighting

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BUT THAT HAD NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10175345

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingVisibility

CONSUMER STATES THAT A DEFECT IN THE MULITFUNCTION SWITCH, CAUSES HER TO HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER REPLACED PART 3 TIMES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURING. NLM SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER COMING APART. DISCONNECT NIPPLE FITTING LEAKING. WIPERS SLAPPING ON WINDSHIELD AND HAS NO SPEED AND/OR INTERMITTENT WIPER OPERATION. DEALER FOUND N…

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CONSUMER STATES THAT A DEFECT IN THE MULITFUNCTION SWITCH, CAUSES HER TO HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER REPLACED PART 3 TIMES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURING. NLM SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER COMING APART. DISCONNECT NIPPLE FITTING LEAKING. WIPERS SLAPPING ON WINDSHIELD AND HAS NO SPEED AND/OR INTERMITTENT WIPER OPERATION. DEALER FOUND NEEDS WIPER MOTOR AND WIPER TRANSMISSION. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8007891

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

COMPUTER CHIP FAILED, AND VEHICLE WILLNOT START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED COMPUTER CHIP, AND NOTED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, DAYTIME RUNNING LAMPS, AIRCONDITIONER, AND COMPUTER BRAIN WERE ALL REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891062

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2000
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS & SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK IF STEERING WHEEL & COLUMN WAS TILTED. SOMETIMES HEADLIGHTS/ WINDSHIELD WIPERS & SIGNALS WOULD GO HAY WIRE. VEHICLE IS AT THE SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #859968

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Exterior LightingPower Train

SOMETHING WITHIN THE DRIVE AXLE IS LOOSE AND READY TO FALL OFF.

NHTSA ODI #541022

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1998
Exterior LightingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE LINE HAS CAUSED A HOLE TO RUB IN THE GAS TANK. ) WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND EVENTUALLY THEY COME BACK ON AFTER THE SWITCH COOLS OFF. (3)WHILE DRIVING THE TAHOE A LOUD CLUNKING COMES FROM THE MIDDLE OR THE REAR OF VEHICLE, WHICH SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE REAR AXLE OR DRIVESHAFT IS …

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THE LOCATION OF THE BRAKE LINE HAS CAUSED A HOLE TO RUB IN THE GAS TANK. ) WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AND EVENTUALLY THEY COME BACK ON AFTER THE SWITCH COOLS OFF. (3)WHILE DRIVING THE TAHOE A LOUD CLUNKING COMES FROM THE MIDDLE OR THE REAR OF VEHICLE, WHICH SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE REAR AXLE OR DRIVESHAFT IS LOOSE AND GOING TO FALL OFF. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826064

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 1997
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL MODULE FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #604903

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 1997
Exterior LightingPower TrainSuspension

VEHICLE MAKES NOISE WHILE TURNING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE BODY MOUNTS.

NHTSA ODI #525518

Official recalls

3

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jul 1, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Apr 4, 1996

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.

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

7

EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation

Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.

EA00024 · Headlight

Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

No summary supplied.

EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

PE00017 · Headlight

Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.

PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.

RQ99015 · Front Seat Recliner Bolt Failure

Opened Jul 14, 1999 · Closed Dec 28, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

No summary supplied.