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: 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
What owners actually said
410 reports
50,000 miles · Mar 19, 2008
Exterior Lighting
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHT FAILURES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. I ORDERED THE TAHOE THROUGH MY LOCAL DEALER IN 1997. IT ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED IN ANY WAY. SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. THE DEALER…
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ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LIGHT FAILURES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. I ORDERED THE TAHOE THROUGH MY LOCAL DEALER IN 1997. IT ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED IN ANY WAY. SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT. THE DEALER CANNOT EXPLAIN IT. I RECEIVED A TICKET ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008 FOR NOT HAVING ANY BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH NEEDS RESOLUTION. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS IT COST ME OVER $500.00. THE BRAKE LIGHT SITUATION HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED AND EVER SINCE THEIR "REPAIR" THE ANTILOCK BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221651
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS ACTIVATION DURING SLOW MOTION, UNDER 10MPH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES ONE OF THE HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TIME I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CLEAN THE SENSORS (AS SUGGESTED BY CHEVY SERVICE UPDATES) TO TRY AND SAVE MONEY. IT DIDN'T WORK ALONG WITH TRYING TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. NOW I HAVE TO…
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ABS ACTIVATION DURING SLOW MOTION, UNDER 10MPH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES ONE OF THE HUBS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TIME I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CLEAN THE SENSORS (AS SUGGESTED BY CHEVY SERVICE UPDATES) TO TRY AND SAVE MONEY. IT DIDN'T WORK ALONG WITH TRYING TO REPLACE THE SENSOR. NOW I HAVE TO HAVE A HUB REPLACED AGAIN. I'VE BEEN LUCKILY SO FAR BECAUSE I KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, BUT I'VE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS WITH HITTING CARS IN PARKING LOTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220856
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2007
Visibility
1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY WOULD WORK SPORADICALLY FOR ABOUT 400 MILES THEN BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. *KB THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 03V159000
NHTSA ODI #10208390
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2007
Visibility
I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE THAT HAS WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT WORK. THIS BEGAN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. AT FIRST THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND ARE NOW AT THE POINT WHERE THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET CK 3500 PICK-UP THAT ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REP…
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I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE THAT HAS WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT WORK. THIS BEGAN ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. AT FIRST THE WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY AND ARE NOW AT THE POINT WHERE THEY DO NOT WORK AT ALL. I OWN A 1997 CHEVROLET CK 3500 PICK-UP THAT ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPAIRED AS THE VIN FOR THE PICK-UP WAS ON THE RECALL LIST. ACCORDING TO RECALL #03V159000, YEAR MODEL 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE VEHICLES ARE ALSO AFFECTED AND ARE THE ONES ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR. IT SEEMS VERY APPARENT THAT THE SAME CIRCUIT BOARD THAT WAS USED IN 1996 VEHICLES HAS ALSO BEEN USED IN 1997 VEHICLES AS I OWN A 1997 AND IT HAD THIS PROBLEM, AS STATED ABOVE. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS VEHICLE ALSO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL #03V159000 AND THEREFORE HAVE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10207440
140,000 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SPEED SENSORS FAILING ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203385
126,000 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Power Train
HAVE A 1997 TAHOE TWO DOOR 4X4 WITH 126,000 MILES... TRANSMISSION HOUSING CRACKED YESTERDAY. UPON INVESTIGATION I SEE THAT CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY. AND THEIR QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP. I HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THI…
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HAVE A 1997 TAHOE TWO DOOR 4X4 WITH 126,000 MILES... TRANSMISSION HOUSING CRACKED YESTERDAY. UPON INVESTIGATION I SEE THAT CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY. AND THEIR QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP. I HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS FOR THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA LIKE MY FRIENDS SAID HA HA. SERIOUSLY, QUALITY SHOULD COME BEFORE PROFIT!!!!. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199599
150,000 miles · Apr 26, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN 2 GM VEHICLES. A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE AND A 2005 GMC YUKON. THE CHEVY TAHOE ISAND HAS(FOR SEVERAL YEARS) EXPERIENCING SEVERE COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND HAS NOW TOTALLY FAILED REQUIRING EXPENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. I HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE OWNER'S GUIDE AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO USING ONLY "DEX-COO…
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I OWN 2 GM VEHICLES. A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE AND A 2005 GMC YUKON. THE CHEVY TAHOE ISAND HAS(FOR SEVERAL YEARS) EXPERIENCING SEVERE COOLING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND HAS NOW TOTALLY FAILED REQUIRING EXPENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE REPAIRS. I HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE OWNER'S GUIDE AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO USING ONLY "DEX-COOL" COOLANT AND AS A RESULT IT'S USE HAS CAUSED THE DESCRIBED FAILURES TO OCCUR. THE USE OF "DEX-COOL" HAS CORRODED AND ERODED ALL OF THE COMPONENTS IN MY VEHICLE'S COOLING SYSTEM FROM THE WATER PUMP, RADIATOR, HOSES, THERMOSTAT, HEATING CORE, ETC. GM IS DENYING THAT "DEX-COOL" PLAYED ANY ROLE IN THESE FAILURES AND THEREFORE I MUST PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS THAT GM KNEW WOULD RESULT FROM "DEX-COOLS" USE. MY VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SHUT-OFF SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AND EACH TIME I WAS AMID TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT "HIGHWAY SPEEDS". IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS! EACH TIME THAT IT OCCURRED I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN FOR REPAIRS AND I WAS TOLD TO FLUSH AND REFILL WITH FRESH COOLANT AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE OVERHEATING/SHUT-OFF PROBLEM. THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AS PER GM SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS EACH TIME. THIS MOST RECENT TIME IS WHEN THE COOLANT "SPILLED" OUT FROM THE WATER PUMP AREA AND LEFT ME STRANDED ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEMS THAT NOW EXIST INSIDE MY COOLING SYSTEM AND THE EXPENSIVE COSTS THAT I WOULD INCUR FOR THE REPAIRS, REPLACEMENTS AND "FLUSHES" THAT WOULD BE NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET MY VEHICLE BACK ON THE ROAD. ALL OF THE VARIOUS MECHANICS AND RESEARCH INTO THIS MATTER HAVE ONE COMMON FACTOR AND THAT IS THE USE OF "DEX-COOL"! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188941
38,000 miles · Mar 23, 2007
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE SPORADICALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES AND THEN BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE DEALER STATED A 50% PROBABILITY THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE DEALER NEVER MADE THE REPAIRS. THE CONTAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE SPORADICALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 400 MILES AND THEN BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE DEALER STATED A 50% PROBABILITY THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE DEALER NEVER MADE THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN RECALL # 03V159000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 38,000.AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CAR WAS REPAIRED ON 03/02/07 AND ALSO STATES DEALER HAS POSSESSION OF THE OLD PART. UPDATED 05/22/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10185992
52,000 miles · Feb 11, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONING. ABS COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182259
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…
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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
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.
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