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2004 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 246.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

388 reports with mileage · 79 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 214 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports7 fire reports14 injury reports

Equipment complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2011
Equipment

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON, EXTREME HEAT STARTED TO BLOW OUT OF DRIVERS SIDE VENTS, WHILE COLD AIR CONTINUED TO BLOW OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405613

41,000 miles · May 12, 2006
EquipmentCrashInjury

ON DATE STATED, OUR 2004 CHEVY TAHOE VIN [XXX], LEFT THE ROADWAY, BECAME AIR BORNE, LANDED ON ITS NOSE, DEPLOYED THE AIR BAGS, AND ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN. ACCORDING TO ONSTAR, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE SYSTEM FAILED AND DID NOT SEND NOTIFICATION. THERE WERE NO LIFE THREATENING INJURIES, B…

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ON DATE STATED, OUR 2004 CHEVY TAHOE VIN [XXX], LEFT THE ROADWAY, BECAME AIR BORNE, LANDED ON ITS NOSE, DEPLOYED THE AIR BAGS, AND ENDED UP UPSIDE DOWN. ACCORDING TO ONSTAR, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE SYSTEM FAILED AND DID NOT SEND NOTIFICATION. THERE WERE NO LIFE THREATENING INJURIES, BUT HAD THIS BEEN AT NIGHT, AND THE ACCIDENT NOT WITNESSED BY OTHERS WHO CAME TO OUR AID. THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT. IT IS OUR DESIRE THAT THIS SITUATION BE ELEVATED TO THE PROPER LEVEL WITHIN GM, ONSTAR, AND SPECIFICALLY CHEVROLET, SO THAT THE PROPER RESEARCH CAN BE DONE WHERE THE SYSTEM WILL NOT FAIL IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE FUTURE. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO SAVE LIVES, BUT IF IT DOES NOT WORK, IS USELESS AND MUCH ADVERTISING TO THE CONTRARY IS VERY MISLEADING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS. [XXX] GB. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10157448

28,000 miles · Aug 3, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT: CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY FAILED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED AN AIR CONDITIONING MODULE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL LOST BRAKING CAPABILITY, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP VERIFIED THIS WA SHAPPENING, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFAC…

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DT: CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY FAILED. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED AN AIR CONDITIONING MODULE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING THE WHEEL LOST BRAKING CAPABILITY, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP VERIFIED THIS WA SHAPPENING, BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131413

16,987 miles · Feb 16, 2005
Air BagsEquipmentCrashInjury

DURING A SIDE IMPACT/ROLL OVER MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, NO AUTOMATIC SAFETY FEATURES DEPLOYED. FULL SIDE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE RESULTED IN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED AT ADDITIONAL COST, SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS. IN CONTRARY TO NATIONAL ADVERTISING THE ON-STAR FEATURE WAS ALSO A NULL RESPONSE. THIS VEHIC…

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DURING A SIDE IMPACT/ROLL OVER MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT, NO AUTOMATIC SAFETY FEATURES DEPLOYED. FULL SIDE IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE RESULTED IN NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED AT ADDITIONAL COST, SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS. IN CONTRARY TO NATIONAL ADVERTISING THE ON-STAR FEATURE WAS ALSO A NULL RESPONSE. THIS VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSE AND NON-REPAIRABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110649

2,537 miles · Jun 18, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

LOUD POPPING/PINGING NOISES COMING FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM WHEN CAR IS IN IDLE POSITION OR WHEN CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED MUFFLER BUT PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER. GM STATES IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT A FIX FOR IT. SAYS IT IS DEFINITELY THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078444

Official recalls

2

05V163000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Apr 22, 2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

04V045000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Feb 4, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.