IllustrationTHE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET, AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE PAD WAS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK (THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR) *SC
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 →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
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
What owners actually said
283 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT USUAL SPEED OF 35 MPH,DOWN A STEEP HILL MY WIFE WAS TERRIFIED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE FAILED, STEERING AND BRAKING BECAME DIFFICULT AND, IN HER MIND, NOTHING WAS WORKING. SHE MISSED A NUMBER OF CARS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND PULLED INTO A VACANT GAS STATION. THE ENGINE STARTED FOR ME AFTER SHE CALLED ME ON …
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WHILE DRIVING AT USUAL SPEED OF 35 MPH,DOWN A STEEP HILL MY WIFE WAS TERRIFIED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE FAILED, STEERING AND BRAKING BECAME DIFFICULT AND, IN HER MIND, NOTHING WAS WORKING. SHE MISSED A NUMBER OF CARS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND PULLED INTO A VACANT GAS STATION. THE ENGINE STARTED FOR ME AFTER SHE CALLED ME ON HER CELL PHONE AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPENED BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME DRIVING AND I UNDERSTOOD THE STRESS THAT SHE ENDURED. THE CHEVY AGENCY(CHASE MOTORS IN MIDDLEBORO MASS WAS NICE AND CURTIOUS AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED AT NO COAST TO US. THE IDENTICAL THING HAPPENED AGAIN ? TIME BETWEEN AND AGAIN THE CHASE CHEVY REPLACED THE PART AND STATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN FIXED AND WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY WIFE STATES THAT SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. IN TALKING TO A REPRESENTATIVE AT GMC HE STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THAT WAS DANGEROUS AT 40 MPH TO HAPPEN THEY DID NOT CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY ISSUE
MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION,I HAVE HAD TWO TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN MY CHEVY TAHOE.I HAVE A NUMBER OF FRIENDS THAT EITHER HAVE THE CHEVY TAHOE ,OR THE SUBURBAN . WE ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM(TRANSMISSION).I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT ONE OF THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND HE SPOKE OF MANY PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAD…
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MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION,I HAVE HAD TWO TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN MY CHEVY TAHOE.I HAVE A NUMBER OF FRIENDS THAT EITHER HAVE THE CHEVY TAHOE ,OR THE SUBURBAN . WE ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM(TRANSMISSION).I SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT ONE OF THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS AND HE SPOKE OF MANY PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAD WITH THE 60O SERIES. THANKS AND PLEASE HELP ME AND MY FREINDS.
ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF '96 CHEVROLET TAHOE DURING THE NIGHT WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES AFTER BLIZZARD WITH HEAVY SNOWFALL. INTERIOR OF SUV WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH CONTENTS.*AK
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TS
4TH TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 4 YEARS. ON THE LAST REBUILD, I HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE WIRE HARNESS PER THE TSB BUT APPARENTLY IT DID NOT HELP. THE DEALERSHIP AND CHEVROLET BOTH SAY IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM BUT I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT AND IT IS THEIR PROBLEM.*AK
1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 DOOR 5.7 VORTEC FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 45,000 MILES(4 MONTHS)THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE PUMP GETS HOT AND MELTS THE WIRES INSIDE THE PUMP THE LAST ONE HAD MELTED THE WIRE BARE INSIDE THE TANK.THE PUMP STILL WORKS BUT THE PUMP ASSEMBLY IS…
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1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 DOOR 5.7 VORTEC FUEL PUMP FAILURE. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 45,000 MILES(4 MONTHS)THE WIRING CONNECTOR TO THE PUMP GETS HOT AND MELTS THE WIRES INSIDE THE PUMP THE LAST ONE HAD MELTED THE WIRE BARE INSIDE THE TANK.THE PUMP STILL WORKS BUT THE PUMP ASSEMBLY IS UNUSABLE DUE TO MELTING OF THE HOUSING AND RESULTING LEAKAGE. *AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS CAN LEAD TO ANY NUMBER OF VERY SERIOUS, AND EXPENSIVE, PROBLEMS. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IT IS VERY INTENSIVE, AND HAS BEEN QUOTED AROUND $800 USD (GIVE OR TAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER COSTLY PROBLEM(S) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD …
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INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS CAN LEAD TO ANY NUMBER OF VERY SERIOUS, AND EXPENSIVE, PROBLEMS. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IT IS VERY INTENSIVE, AND HAS BEEN QUOTED AROUND $800 USD (GIVE OR TAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER COSTLY PROBLEM(S) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK MAY HAVE PRODUCED. WE ARE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY FROM GENERAL MOTORS. A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH FOR GM TO ASSEMBLE A RECALL. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE WORLD'S LARGEST VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WHO HAS BEEN THE WORLD'S AUTOMOTIVE SALES LEADER SINCE 1931 WILL STAND UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS SO PREVALENT AMONG THEIR VEHICLES. RECALLS SHOULD BE MANDATED IN ALL CASES OF INCOMPETENCE, NOT SOLELY WHEN IT AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY. WHILE SOME OF US HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM OCCUR WITHIN OUR WARRANTY, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OF US THAT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THESE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. BECAUSE GM HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT LIABILITY ON THIS ISSUE, WE FEEL THAT THIS WILL BE A REPETITIVE PROBLEM. ONCE THIS GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND CUSTOMERS POCKETS DRAINED, GM SERVICE CENTERS EVERYWHERE CAN EXPECT TO SEE CONSUMERS RETURNING, FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT HASN'T BEEN RECTIFIED DUE TO A DESIGNING FLAW ON GM'S PART. THIS ERROR SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, NOT THE FIRST TIME IN FOR SERVICE, BUT BEFORE ENTERING MASS PRODUCTION IN MILLIONS OF VEHICLES. CAN ONE PRESUME THIS IS ONE WAY OF KEEPING GENERAL MOTORS PATRONS COMING BACK TIME AFTER TIME? *NLM
TRANSMISSION FAILED 4 TIMES AT APPROXIMATELY. 80000, 98000,119000, AND 153000 MILES. ALTHOUGH TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE, IT IS MOSTLY HI-WAY. LIGHT TOWING USE - 5,000LB BOAT, 5,000 HORSE TRAILER. LITTLE 4X4 USE. ALL REPLACEMENTS DONE BY GM DEALER. DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY AFTER LAST TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT - HAD TO PUT BACK IN …
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TRANSMISSION FAILED 4 TIMES AT APPROXIMATELY. 80000, 98000,119000, AND 153000 MILES. ALTHOUGH TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE, IT IS MOSTLY HI-WAY. LIGHT TOWING USE - 5,000LB BOAT, 5,000 HORSE TRAILER. LITTLE 4X4 USE. ALL REPLACEMENTS DONE BY GM DEALER. DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY AFTER LAST TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT - HAD TO PUT BACK IN SHOP. THEY CHANGED AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. *JB
SEAT BACKS BROKE DURING REAR END COLLISION
Official recalls
303V159000 · 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
7EA02006 · 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.