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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

Power Train complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2023
Power Train

My Tahoe has the New Process 246GM transfer case. They have a known issue called pump rub where the pump is to close to the magnesium shell, and rubs pin holes in the shell which causes fluid to dissipate over time causing the transfer case to run dry burning it up. I've had a mechanic check it out and there was no fluid in the …

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My Tahoe has the New Process 246GM transfer case. They have a known issue called pump rub where the pump is to close to the magnesium shell, and rubs pin holes in the shell which causes fluid to dissipate over time causing the transfer case to run dry burning it up. I've had a mechanic check it out and there was no fluid in the case, and now I have a transfer case that's burned up. I've called a transmission shop, and they told me it was a common issue. I would like for general motors to correct this issue

NHTSA ODI #11534962

130,000 miles · Jul 19, 2015
Power Train

TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN THIS WAS NUMBER 5 NOT THATS CORRECT 5 (FIVE) TRANSMISSIONS IN THIS CAR AT 130K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10735004

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ENGAGING IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS ON FOR OVER A YEAR EVEN WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM SEEN IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND VERY COSTLY TO FIX. WAS TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES MORE PROBLEMATIC TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE …

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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ENGAGING IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS ON FOR OVER A YEAR EVEN WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM SEEN IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND VERY COSTLY TO FIX. WAS TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES MORE PROBLEMATIC TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE COST. NOW THE LIGHT DOES NOT SHOW ON THE PANEL TO SHOW IF IT IS IN 2 OR 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523206

5 miles · Jun 12, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR THAT DISPLAYED WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATING. OFTEN WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR THAT DISPLAYED WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATING. OFTEN WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD SPORADICALLY SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GEAR CLUSTER WIRING HARNESS BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE GEAR INDICATOR CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 59,897.

NHTSA ODI #10461345

50,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND I PAID FOR HALF, GM GOODWILL PAID FOR HALF. WHEN YOU PAY OVER $42,000 FOR A VEHICLE IT SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 50,000 MILES! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440959

136,233 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND ONLY ALLOWS YOU TO GO ABOUT 25 MPH. VERY UNSAFE IF ON A HIGHWAY. GM DEALER REPLACED THE FAULTY WIRE HARNESS AND PLUG THAT PLUGS INTO THE THROTTLE BODY. ALSO REPLACED THROTTLE BODY ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422704

90,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainSuspension

ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD HUM AND RATTLING FROM FRONT TIRE AREA. HAD TO GET THE HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACE. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 90,000 MILES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, AND AROUND 130,000 MILES WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. BOTH MECHANICS I BROUGHT IT TO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. …

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ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD HUM AND RATTLING FROM FRONT TIRE AREA. HAD TO GET THE HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACE. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 90,000 MILES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, AND AROUND 130,000 MILES WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. BOTH MECHANICS I BROUGHT IT TO SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THIS OCCURS THE ENTIRE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF AND RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10414016

54,725 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Power Train

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS, FIXED 2 TIMES BEFORE DEALERSHIP REALIZED THERE WAS A BEARING NOT INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. FACTORY REP WAS CALLED, HE DIRECTED DEALER TO INSTALL BEARING. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE THERE IS A UNCOMMON FRONT END VIBRATION STILL TO THIS DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310325

27,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009
Power Train

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO FOUR-WHEEL LOW GEAR WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED INTO TWO-WHEEL DRIVE. THE…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO FOUR-WHEEL LOW GEAR WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED INTO TWO-WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FOUR- WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH MODULE AND THE ENCODER MOTOR TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES FOR WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE SERVICE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10266501

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2009
Power Train

2004 TAHOE, WHEN STARTING OUT ENGINE LOSES POWER AND READOUT DISPLAYS ( TRACTION ACTIVE ). FIRST TIME HAPPENED FALL 2007. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM BUT DID A DOWNLOAD OF SOFTWARE, DID NOT HELP. OVER PAST MONTH DOES THIS ONE OR MORE TIMES DAILY. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, MAY HAVE TO DRIVE UNTIL I…

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2004 TAHOE, WHEN STARTING OUT ENGINE LOSES POWER AND READOUT DISPLAYS ( TRACTION ACTIVE ). FIRST TIME HAPPENED FALL 2007. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM BUT DID A DOWNLOAD OF SOFTWARE, DID NOT HELP. OVER PAST MONTH DOES THIS ONE OR MORE TIMES DAILY. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, MAY HAVE TO DRIVE UNTIL IT WILL NO LONGER RUN BEFORE THEY KNOW WHAT TO FIX. THIS MAY TURN INTO A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT STOPS AND SOMEONE HITS ME FROM BEHIND. I SEEN ON YOUR COMPLAINT SECTION THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254000

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.