NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
467 reports125,000 miles · Feb 9, 2016
Engine
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS THAT THREAD INTO THE CYLINDER HEADS HOLDING THE CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS IN PLACE ONTO THE HEADS BREAK OFF UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE BOLTS BREAK OFF AND WERE CAUSING AN EXHAUST LEAK. MY VEHICLE'S EXHAUST WAS COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE MAKING OCCUPANTS ILL. THE STEEL MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE UNDERSI…
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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS THAT THREAD INTO THE CYLINDER HEADS HOLDING THE CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS IN PLACE ONTO THE HEADS BREAK OFF UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE BOLTS BREAK OFF AND WERE CAUSING AN EXHAUST LEAK. MY VEHICLE'S EXHAUST WAS COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE MAKING OCCUPANTS ILL. THE STEEL MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE APPLICATION, AND BEING USED ON IRON MANIFOLDS MATING TO ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS. I HAVE TO PAY THE $1000+ REPAIR COST TO FIX AN APPARENT MANUFACTURING FAILURE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. NO ONLY DO THE BROKEN BOLTS CAUSE EXHAUST LEAKS AND NOISE, BUT PUTS THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION AS A POSSIBLE FIRE RISK.
NHTSA ODI #10825153
128,000 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
NHTSA ODI #10818479
160,000 miles · Dec 29, 2015
Service BrakesCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE BRAKING SYSTEM EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC AND INSTANT FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DURING THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE BRAKING SYSTEM EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC AND INSTANT FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DURING THE CRASH, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A RIGHT KNEE INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTED BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #10816713
60,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE STABILITRACK SENSORS KICKS IN FOR NO REASON AND SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THIS REPAIRED ONCE BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS CONTINUED TO DO IT AGAIN. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. IT HAPPENS MOREOFTEN IN THE COLD
NHTSA ODI #10810805
240,000 miles · Dec 13, 2015
Service Brakes
BRAKE LINE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. APPROACHING STOP SIGNAL AND WAS SLOWING DOWN BY BRAKING AND THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED INTO LEFT TURNING LANE TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND TRAVELED HALFWAY THROUGH THE BUSY INTERSECTION BEFORE STOPPING. PROCEEDED INTO LOT OF NEARBY CONVENIENCE. BRAKE FLUID P…
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BRAKE LINE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. APPROACHING STOP SIGNAL AND WAS SLOWING DOWN BY BRAKING AND THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I SWERVED INTO LEFT TURNING LANE TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND TRAVELED HALFWAY THROUGH THE BUSY INTERSECTION BEFORE STOPPING. PROCEEDED INTO LOT OF NEARBY CONVENIENCE. BRAKE FLUID POOLED UNDER CAR. COULD HEAR AIR COMING OUT OF BRAKE LINE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #10809864
140,000 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER IT SOMETIMES BLOWS VERY HOT AIR. NOW THAT IT IS COLD OUT WHEN USING THE HEATER IT SOMETIMES BLOWS ICE COLD AIR. IF THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO STOP, TURN OFF MY VEHICLE, THEN WHEN I RESTART THE VEHICLE IT DOES THE RIGHT THING. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS MORE THEN ONCE TO GET IT TO WORK. I GOT A RECALL…
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WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER IT SOMETIMES BLOWS VERY HOT AIR. NOW THAT IT IS COLD OUT WHEN USING THE HEATER IT SOMETIMES BLOWS ICE COLD AIR. IF THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO STOP, TURN OFF MY VEHICLE, THEN WHEN I RESTART THE VEHICLE IT DOES THE RIGHT THING. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS MORE THEN ONCE TO GET IT TO WORK. I GOT A RECALL NOTICE A WHILE BACK BUT THE DEALER SAID IT IS ONLY FOR WHEN IT SMELLS LIKE SMOKE. GUESS THEY WANT ME TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BEFORE THEY WILL FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10789527
130,000 miles · Sep 28, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiperWheels
WHILE DRIVING MY ELECTRICAL GAUGES ALL WENT CRAZY AND THEN QUIT ONE BY ONE. I HAVE ONLY 2 LEFT THAT WORK. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF AND INTERMITTENT DOES NOT WORK ON THEM. MY HUB ON FRONT TIRES KEEP NEEDING REPLACED. THEY COME LOSE TO POINT OF TIRE NEARLY FALLING OFF. MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER TURNED OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10778006
125,476 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Electrical System
ON AN EXIT RAMP GETTING READY TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP. TURNED THE KEY REPEATEDLY, AND THOUGH THE RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I HAD THE TAHOE IN "PARK" MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. NOTHING. SHIFTED IT TO NEUTRAL AND TRIED: NOTHING. MOVD THE COLUMN UP AND D…
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ON AN EXIT RAMP GETTING READY TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP. TURNED THE KEY REPEATEDLY, AND THOUGH THE RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I HAD THE TAHOE IN "PARK" MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. NOTHING. SHIFTED IT TO NEUTRAL AND TRIED: NOTHING. MOVD THE COLUMN UP AND DOWN: NOTHING. POUNDED ON THE COLUMN: AMEN IT STARTED. DROVE TO MECHANIC: COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NO DATA IN COMPUTER INDICATING ANY PROBLEM. 6 WEEKS GO BY AND TAHOE WILL NOT START IN MY DRIVEWAY. GO THOUGH THE SAME LITANY AGAIN. FINALLY STARTED. MY WIFE TAKES MY TAHOE TO LOWE'S IN JANUARY CAR WILL NOT START. SHE TRIED SO MANY TIMES SHE DRAINED THE BATTERY. I HOOKED UP THE JUMPER CABLES AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. I TAKE IT TO MECHANIC AND HE "THINKS" IT'S PART OF THE IGNITION MODULE, BUT DOESN'T KNOW FOR SURE. THE PART ALONE IS $250. I DECLINE TO SPEND MONEY ON A MAYBE. THEN FOR 4 MONTHS NO PROBLEMS. MAY 31ST 2015, TAHOE WILL NOT START. IT STARTED FINE MAY 29TH. NOT ONLY WOULD IT NOT START, BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. RADIO WAS OUT OF SEQUENCE BY 8 HOURS. CHARGED THE BATTERY AND TAHOE STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD A FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC COME OVER TO LOOK AT IT AND HERE'S THE PART THE REALLY TICKS ME OFF. I GET IN AND WITHOUT ANY FUSS THE DARN THING STARTED, TURNED IT OFF AND IT STARTED, DID THIS 20 TIMES, IT STARTED EVERY TIME. I WOULD CONCLUDE THAT IT WAS THE STARTER, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT TWO TIMES IT SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. WE OWN THREE TAHOE'S. 2002, 2003, AND 2004. I DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2002, AND 2003 TAHOE'S. IS THIS AN IGNITION PROBLEM OTHER'S HAVE EXPERIENCED. DOES IT HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO THE OTHER CHEVROLET IGNITION PROBLEMS. I HAVE TWO YOUNG SON'S AND WILL NOT DRIVE THIS TAHOE, WITH THEM IN IT.
NHTSA ODI #10764484
147,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Seats
THE REAR SEAT RELEASE CABLE IS FAULTY AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE BACK COMPARTMENT (AFTER THE DOOR HATCH WAS CLOSED). THIS IS HAZARDOUS BECAUSE THE THIRD ROW SEATING AREA IS BACK THERE, AND WITHOUT A MEANS OF EASY RELEASE A PASSENGER MIGHT BE TRAPPED IN AN EMERGENCY.
NHTSA ODI #10764197
136,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Service BrakesCrash
I WAS TRAVELING TOWARDS HOME AROUND 45 MPH IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ATTEMPTED A NON-SIGNALED RIGHT HAND TURN AND THEN CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN A MANNER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AS SHE DECIDED WHAT SHE WAS GOING DO. THE PEDAL WAS FIRM AT FIRST, THEN COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I…
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I WAS TRAVELING TOWARDS HOME AROUND 45 MPH IN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ATTEMPTED A NON-SIGNALED RIGHT HAND TURN AND THEN CONTINUED STRAIGHT AHEAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN A MANNER TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AS SHE DECIDED WHAT SHE WAS GOING DO. THE PEDAL WAS FIRM AT FIRST, THEN COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. THIS RESULTED IN ME TAKING AN OFF ROAD ADVENTURE THROUGH SOMEONES YARD AND BACK ONTO THE ROAD TO AVOID SLAMMING THE CAR IN FRONT ME AS SHE REGAINED HER SENSE AGAIN. I SLOWLY CREPT HOME AND SPIT A TRAIL OF BRAKE FLUID ALONG THE WAY. THE HARD BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE SO CORRODED WITH RUST AND I FOUND THE FRONT FEED LINE INTO THE ABS MODULE HAD BURST FROM THE CORROSION AND USE OF CHEAP FACTORY LINES. I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE BECAUSE 11 YEARS AGO GM DECIDED CHEAPER BRAKE LINE MATERIAL IN 2004 IS BETTER THAN MY LIFE IN 2015. NOW I FIND THAT THE INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED AND THEY ARE BLAMING "MAINTENANCE" AS THE CAUSE. IN ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED, NOT A SINGLE ONE HAD TO HAVE A HARD BRAKE LINE REPLACED. IT'S JUST NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS A MATERIAL AND PRODUCER FLAW THAT IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED. IT ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE.
NHTSA ODI #10762718
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
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 ↗