IllustrationTHE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ENTERING FREEWAY ON RAMP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE MERGING WITH OTHER TRAFFIC. OTHER VEHICLES SWERVED, SKIDDED, AND HONKED WHILE I COASTED MY VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND LIMPED OFF THE FREEWAY. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tahoe years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
370–25K
7425–50K
9450–75K
6875–100K
79100–150K
36150K+
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
What owners actually said
467 reportsMORE SO WHEN IT IS BELOW 40 F OUTSIDE, THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WILL WORK AND SOUND THE HORN. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK OR FAIL. I HAVE SEEN A NHTSA ID # 10013378 (TSB #3300C) THAT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT DETAILS ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE …
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MORE SO WHEN IT IS BELOW 40 F OUTSIDE, THE HORN WILL NOT WORK. THE KEYLESS REMOTE WILL WORK AND SOUND THE HORN. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL WORK OR FAIL. I HAVE SEEN A NHTSA ID # 10013378 (TSB #3300C) THAT SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT DETAILS ABOUT IT. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER GM PRODUCTS FROM 2002 TO 2005. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHEN I NEED TO USE THE HORN, IT WILL NOT WORK. *TR
2004 CHEVY TAHOE WITH 33,605 MILES AND SPEEDOMETER HAS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, REST OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKING FINE. *TR
I AM STARTING TO FEEL A CLUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2004 CHEVY TAHOE Z71, THE GEARS WINE A LITTLE BUT THERE IS THIS CONSTANT CLUNKING SOUND. I HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW I AM NOT FAR FROM HAVING NO 1ST AND 4TH GEARS ETC.. I BOUGHT THE SUV USED AND I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER FO…
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I AM STARTING TO FEEL A CLUNK IN THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2004 CHEVY TAHOE Z71, THE GEARS WINE A LITTLE BUT THERE IS THIS CONSTANT CLUNKING SOUND. I HAVE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW I AM NOT FAR FROM HAVING NO 1ST AND 4TH GEARS ETC.. I BOUGHT THE SUV USED AND I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR A BUMPER TO BUMPER INSPECTION. I DO NOT DRIVE HARD. THE PEOPLE I TALK TO SAID IT IS A COMMON PART AND THERE IS ACTUALLY A BULLETIN OUT ON THIS. CHEVY WILL NOT HAVE IT BUT OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS DO. *TR
TACHOMETER & SPEEDOMETER FAILED AT APPROX. 75,000 & 80,000 RESPECTIVELY. SPEEDOMETER FAILURE PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD SYSTEM. *TR
MEMORY SEAT DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN YOU USE FOB OR KEY TO ACCESS VEHICLE, SEATS, MIRRORS AND RADIO RANDOMLY CHOOSE THEIR OWN POSITIONS. *TR
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VALVE O-RING SEAL FRACTURED. THE STEERING WAS SLIGHTLY AFFECTED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. THE VEHICLE BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP AND TOOK LONGER TO DECELERATE THAN PRIOR TO THE SEAL FRACTURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VALVE O-RING SEAL FRACTURED. THE STEERING WAS SLIGHTLY AFFECTED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. THE VEHICLE BECAME MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP AND TOOK LONGER TO DECELERATE THAN PRIOR TO THE SEAL FRACTURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 4/21/08 *CN UPDATED 04/21/08 *TR
MY TAHOE THAT HAS 59,000 MILES,THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED STICKING AND NOW HAS QUIT. THE SPEEDOMETER NOW READS O. CHECKED ALL FUSES NO BLOWN ONES TO BE FOUND. MECHANIC TELLS ME ITS COMMON PLACE WITH THE TAHOE AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE SPEEDOMETER JUST QUIT WORKING YESTERDAY ON A ROAD TRIP. NO INDICATING CIRCUMSTANCES LEAD UP TO FAILURE. SPEEDOMETER CONTINUES TO RISE UNTIL IT REACHES 120 MPH AND JUST STAYS THERE. DEALER SAYS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OVER 70K MILES, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR YEARS. P…
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2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE SPEEDOMETER JUST QUIT WORKING YESTERDAY ON A ROAD TRIP. NO INDICATING CIRCUMSTANCES LEAD UP TO FAILURE. SPEEDOMETER CONTINUES TO RISE UNTIL IT REACHES 120 MPH AND JUST STAYS THERE. DEALER SAYS THEY WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE IS OVER 70K MILES, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR YEARS. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Official recalls
205V163000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.