NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
410 reports125,000 miles · Jan 28, 2007
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. EXTREMELY COMMON TO MY 97 CHEVY TAHOE. REQUIRED COMPLETE REBUILD AND LOTS OF MONEY. I CALLED PROBABLY A DOZEN TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALMOST ALL SAID I WAS LUCKY I MADE IT TO SO MANY MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AS IT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS TRANSMISSION. ALL SAY IT COMES FROM A STRUCTURAL…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. EXTREMELY COMMON TO MY 97 CHEVY TAHOE. REQUIRED COMPLETE REBUILD AND LOTS OF MONEY. I CALLED PROBABLY A DOZEN TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALMOST ALL SAID I WAS LUCKY I MADE IT TO SO MANY MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AS IT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS TRANSMISSION. ALL SAY IT COMES FROM A STRUCTURALLY FLAWED IN DESIGN PIECE IN THE TRANS THAT BREAKS AND OF COURSE COMPLETELY CONTAMINATES THE TRANS WITH METAL AND DESTROYS THE MAJORITY OF THE REMAINING PARTS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10180922
141,000 miles · Dec 11, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
I PURCHASED A USED 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND SINCE THAT TIME THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT 5 TIMES, ONCE IN APRIL, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, TWICE IN OCTOBER AND IN NOVEMBER. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS ON 12/06/06. I HAVE YET TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO CAN TELL ME THE PROBLEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING. THE WIRING SEEMS TO FAULTY IS ALL I HEAR. PLEA…
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I PURCHASED A USED 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND SINCE THAT TIME THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT 5 TIMES, ONCE IN APRIL, JUNE, SEPTEMBER, TWICE IN OCTOBER AND IN NOVEMBER. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS ON 12/06/06. I HAVE YET TO FIND A MECHANIC WHO CAN TELL ME THE PROBLEM THAT I'M EXPERIENCING. THE WIRING SEEMS TO FAULTY IS ALL I HEAR. PLEASE HELP!!!! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175853
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2006
Unknown Or Other
1997 TAHOE HAD A STICK SUBSTANCE IN THE CARGO AREA. *TS THE BLACK RUBBER PIECE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE IRON BAR THAT THE TIRE IS MOUNTED TO HAS BEEN MELTING AND DRIPPING INTO THE CARGO AREA. THE SUBSTANCE WAS VERY STRONG AND MADE THE CONSUMER FEEL SICK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173252
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2006
Visibility
WINDSHIELD WIPERS OCCASIONALLY WOULD STOP WORKING OR NOT WORK AT ALL RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALER IN LOCAL AREA STATED PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS (GM TRUCK/SUV WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT, BUT APPARENTLY ONLY COVERS VEHICLES UP THROUGH 1996). CORRECTED PROBLEM BY…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS OCCASIONALLY WOULD STOP WORKING OR NOT WORK AT ALL RESULTING IN LOSS OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. DEALER IN LOCAL AREA STATED PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY RECALLS (GM TRUCK/SUV WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL SPECIFICALLY ASKED ABOUT, BUT APPARENTLY ONLY COVERS VEHICLES UP THROUGH 1996). CORRECTED PROBLEM BY REPLACING WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER MYSELF USING RECALL DOCUMENTATION AND PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO 1996 TAHOE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171878
125,000 miles · Oct 2, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
STARTED NOTICING APPROX. 1 YEAR AGO THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 10 MPH) WHEN IT SHOULDN'T (IE: DRY CONDITIONS, CLEAR ROAD) WHICH MAKES COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP A SCARY AND QUESTIONABLE EVENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169753
128,000 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACTED STATED THE ENGINE BUCKED AND HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #10168353
159,000 miles · Aug 2, 2006
Exterior Lighting
NEAR MISS WITH DEER DUE TO HEADLIGHT LENS OBSCURITY: - WHILE DRIVING DOWN FM 2252, I ALMOST STRUCK A DOG THAT WAS WALKING TOWARD THE ROAD - THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVER HAS BECOME FOGGED AND NEARLY OPAQUE, LEADING TO OBSCURED VISIBILITY AND GREATLY DECREASED THE DISTANCE THE LIGHT CARRIES - NEW HEADLIGHT LENSES (~$240 A PIECE)…
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NEAR MISS WITH DEER DUE TO HEADLIGHT LENS OBSCURITY: - WHILE DRIVING DOWN FM 2252, I ALMOST STRUCK A DOG THAT WAS WALKING TOWARD THE ROAD - THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVER HAS BECOME FOGGED AND NEARLY OPAQUE, LEADING TO OBSCURED VISIBILITY AND GREATLY DECREASED THE DISTANCE THE LIGHT CARRIES - NEW HEADLIGHT LENSES (~$240 A PIECE) WERE OBTAINED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164208
33,840 miles · Jun 27, 2006
Seat Belts
THE SAFETY BELT LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT PULL OUT OF ITS BASE UNIT SO YOU CAN'T PUT IT ON. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10160837
85,000 miles · Mar 8, 2006
Visibility
I OWN A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE 4WD, AND I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY SEEM TO NOT WORK WHEN THEY ARE MOST NEEDED, HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT ANY RECALLS, I WAS TOLD THAT MANY OF THE GM PRODUCTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT MY TAHOE IS NOT COVERED UNDER T…
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I OWN A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE 4WD, AND I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY SEEM TO NOT WORK WHEN THEY ARE MOST NEEDED, HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER ABOUT ANY RECALLS, I WAS TOLD THAT MANY OF THE GM PRODUCTS HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT MY TAHOE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10152173
70,000 miles · Mar 2, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT 10 MPH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ENGAGE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE YEAR. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA ODI #10151606
NHTSA investigations
4PE01023 · 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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