← New search

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 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: 88 of 410 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.

  • Steering. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

21 reports
Clear category filter
140,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014
Electrical System

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE. THE OTHER DAY WHILE LISTENING TO THE EXPANDING RECALL OF GM VEHICLES I TRIED TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. TO MY SURPRISE ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED I CAN REMOVE MY KEY, SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AND DRIVE WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. MAYBE THIS IS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VE…

Read full complaint

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE. THE OTHER DAY WHILE LISTENING TO THE EXPANDING RECALL OF GM VEHICLES I TRIED TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. TO MY SURPRISE ONCE THE VEHICLE IS STARTED I CAN REMOVE MY KEY, SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AND DRIVE WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. MAYBE THIS IS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT IT HAS ONLY 148000 MILES ON IT. THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW. COULD VIDEO THIS ISSUE IF YOU ARE FURTHER INTERESTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614502

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesTires

I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT CAR HOP IN ARLINGTON TX. I WAS SOLD IT WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO HAZARDS, BAD TIRES, BAD BRAKES, ONE OF THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN, BAD BATTERY, BAD INSPECTION, NO COVER FOR FUEL FILTER, DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, KEEPS DYING, SPARE TIRE FLEW OFF ON HIGHWAY AND BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE MY KIDS AND I WERE …

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT THIS CAR AT CAR HOP IN ARLINGTON TX. I WAS SOLD IT WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO HAZARDS, BAD TIRES, BAD BRAKES, ONE OF THE BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN, BAD BATTERY, BAD INSPECTION, NO COVER FOR FUEL FILTER, DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, KEEPS DYING, SPARE TIRE FLEW OFF ON HIGHWAY AND BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE MY KIDS AND I WERE DRIVING. I AM A DISABLED MOTHER OF TWO AND THEY KNEW THEY GAVE ME A BAD CAR. THE FIRST I HAD 5 KIDS WITH ME AND IT WAS A KIA MINI VAN DIDNT EVEN MAKE IT HOME, THEY HAD TO COME TOW IT. THEN THAY GAVE ME THIS TAHOE. PLEASE HELP ME I HAVE NO OTHER CAR AND IT SCARES ME AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. I AM PAYING EVERY MONTH ON THIS VEHICALE AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO CORPORATE. THEY SENT ME TO THEIR MEHCANIC AND HE EVEN WROTE A E-MAIL DESCRIBING THE CONDITION AND STILL DID NOT CARE CAR HOP. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!! GOD BLESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482549

130,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL STOP WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT IS NOT ALL OF THE TIME, BUT SOMETIMES, WHEN I HAVE THE WINDOW DOWN, AND I PUSH THE POWER SWITCH TO CLOSE OR OPEN THE WINDOW IT WILL NOT WORK. THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, IF FOR SOME REASON I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND …

Read full complaint

THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL STOP WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN. IT IS NOT ALL OF THE TIME, BUT SOMETIMES, WHEN I HAVE THE WINDOW DOWN, AND I PUSH THE POWER SWITCH TO CLOSE OR OPEN THE WINDOW IT WILL NOT WORK. THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, IF FOR SOME REASON I AM UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THEN THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN. WE LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND YOU RECENTLY RECALLED VEHICLES BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH CAUSING FIRES IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WHICH ENDED UP MELTING AND/OR BURNING THE DOOR. THERE MUST BE CORROSION OF THE WIRING IN MY VEHICLE THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM WITH MY WINDOW. I KNOW THAT YOUR RECALL WAS NOT FOR THE SAME YEAR AS MY VEHICLE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND I DON'T WANT TO END UP HAVING MY CAR DOOR CATCH ON FIRE, ESPECIALLY IF ME OR MY FAMILY ARE IN IT, OR IF IT IS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE IT COULD BURN OUR ENTIRE HOUSE DOWN. WHEN WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS BRAND NEW, AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474069

125,000 miles · Jan 28, 2007
Electrical System

BATTERY CASE CRACKED, FLUID LEAKED OUT AND CORRODED AND THUS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE BATTERY. I FEEL THAT THE ORIGINAL BATTERY CABLE IS TOO SHORT CAUSING STRESS ON THE BATTERY CASE AT THE CABLE MOUNT TO THE BATTERY, RESULTING IN A CRACKED CASE AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE. REPAIR COSTS AT DEALER $285.53. I S…

Read full complaint

BATTERY CASE CRACKED, FLUID LEAKED OUT AND CORRODED AND THUS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE BATTERY CABLES AND THE BATTERY. I FEEL THAT THE ORIGINAL BATTERY CABLE IS TOO SHORT CAUSING STRESS ON THE BATTERY CASE AT THE CABLE MOUNT TO THE BATTERY, RESULTING IN A CRACKED CASE AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE. REPAIR COSTS AT DEALER $285.53. I SEE THAT INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEGUN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10180925

62,000 miles · Oct 25, 2005
Electrical System

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL ON MY 1997 CHEV TAHOE. ALSO, HAVE EXPERIENCED TEMPORARY POWER LOSS OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. OBSERVABLE AFFECTED COMPONENTS ARE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS, HEAD LAMPS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS, ACCOMPANIED BY BUZZING SOUNDS. HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. HAS CAUSED NEAR ACC…

Read full complaint

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL ON MY 1997 CHEV TAHOE. ALSO, HAVE EXPERIENCED TEMPORARY POWER LOSS OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. OBSERVABLE AFFECTED COMPONENTS ARE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS, HEAD LAMPS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS, ACCOMPANIED BY BUZZING SOUNDS. HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. HAS CAUSED NEAR ACCIDENTS DURING RAINY WEATHER AND IN POORLY LIT ROADWAYS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10140739

97,000 miles · Nov 9, 2003
Electrical SystemFire

THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING PERFECTLY,NO LEAKS OR SMELLS OR WARNING, 65MPHIN CRUISE CONTROL AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS TOWING A VERY LIGHT TRAILER, EMPTY. I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE FIRE. 1997 TAHOE, 97,000 APPROX MILES, BOUGHT USED SUMMER 03. PREVIOUSLY A FEDERAL VEHICLE IN WELL MAINTAINE…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE RUNNING PERFECTLY,NO LEAKS OR SMELLS OR WARNING, 65MPHIN CRUISE CONTROL AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. I WAS TOWING A VERY LIGHT TRAILER, EMPTY. I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT IT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE FIRE. 1997 TAHOE, 97,000 APPROX MILES, BOUGHT USED SUMMER 03. PREVIOUSLY A FEDERAL VEHICLE IN WELL MAINTAINED CONDITION AS FAR AS I COULD TELL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10045791

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES THE TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERATIVE, THE FUSES KEEP BLOWING OUT, ALSO HAZARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK, THE DEALER HAS ALREADY REPLACED FUSE ONCE ALREADY, BUT THE TURN SIGNALS STILL DO NOT WORK.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE TURN SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #8002358

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineSteering

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #741315

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2001
Electrical System

VEHICLE WILL NOT START INTERMITTENLY DUE TO A SHORT THAT DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE IT WAS. THIS DEFECT CAUSED BATTERY TO DIE, CONSUMER HAD REPLACED BATTERIES 3-4 TIMES. ALSO, ALTERNATOR AND DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WERE REPLACED. DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877506

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO DELCO BATTERY FAILURE,WHICH RESULTED FROM THE BATTERY LEAKING ACID AND IN SECURELY INSTALLED. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FAILED DUE TO THE RESERVIOR AND CONNECTION LINES DAMAGED BY THE LEAKING BATTERY ACID. *YH

NHTSA ODI #868309

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

4

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.

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

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.

EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv

Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.