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2005 Chevrolet Tahoe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 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

243 reports with mileage · 50 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 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports14 fire reports9 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

19 reports
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136,000 miles · Jan 29, 2025
Air Bags

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while starting the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic determined that the passenger’s side sensing system had failed and needed t…

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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while starting the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic determined that the passenger’s side sensing system had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised by the mechanic that there was a recall associated to the failure, NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V417000 (Air Bags). The mechanic referred the contact to a dealer for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had checked the NHTSA.gov website and became aware that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #11639450

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2020
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

THE BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP THROWING ME INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AND ALMOST GOING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD SLAM SIDEWAYS AGAINST THE TREE AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MY SON WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME IF IT WERE ME I'D BEEN DEAD BECAUSE I HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR AND CANNOT HIT MY HEAD HE HAS SEVERAL INJURIES AND LOTS OF MEDICAL B…

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THE BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP THROWING ME INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AND ALMOST GOING OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD SLAM SIDEWAYS AGAINST THE TREE AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MY SON WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME IF IT WERE ME I'D BEEN DEAD BECAUSE I HAVE A BRAIN TUMOR AND CANNOT HIT MY HEAD HE HAS SEVERAL INJURIES AND LOTS OF MEDICAL BILLS BECAUSE HE DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE AT THE TIME OF INJURY

NHTSA ODI #11299077

210,810 miles · Sep 13, 2019
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE STATES SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #11255381

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2018
Air Bags

MY CHEVROLET TAHOE 2005 HAS SEVERAL AIRBAG CODES RELATING TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON

NHTSA ODI #11083844

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2018
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

CHEVROLET IS WELL AWARE OF THE HORNS NOT WORKING FROM 97 TO 2006 HORNS NOT WORKING. THE HORN FAILURE HAPPENS WITH NO NOTICE. THIS CAN LEAD TO DEATH BY NOT GIVING WARNING TO OTHERS. IT'S A BAD DESIGN FLAW THEY'VE GM IS WELL AWARE OF. THE CONTACT SWITCH CORRODS AND WILL NOT MAKE CONTACT. GM WANTS $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DO A QUIC…

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CHEVROLET IS WELL AWARE OF THE HORNS NOT WORKING FROM 97 TO 2006 HORNS NOT WORKING. THE HORN FAILURE HAPPENS WITH NO NOTICE. THIS CAN LEAD TO DEATH BY NOT GIVING WARNING TO OTHERS. IT'S A BAD DESIGN FLAW THEY'VE GM IS WELL AWARE OF. THE CONTACT SWITCH CORRODS AND WILL NOT MAKE CONTACT. GM WANTS $800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. DO A QUICK SEARCH AND YOU WILL SEE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. I'M SURE IT HAS LEAD TO NUMEROUS DEATHS THAT THE CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. WE ALMOST DEAD TODAY WHEN SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US WITH NO HORN.

NHTSA ODI #11076066

170,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemFire

WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES ON STREET THE TAHOE STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SMOKE, WE THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THERE WHERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DASH BOARD WAS COMPLETELY MELTED FROM T…

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WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES ON STREET THE TAHOE STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SMOKE, WE THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS IN A MATTER OF SECONDS THERE WHERE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DASH BOARD WAS COMPLETELY MELTED FROM THE FIRE, THE FRONT WINDSHILLED SHATTERED WITH FORCE TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10894399

199,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE BACK AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

NHTSA ODI #10808444

122,807 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND AND THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,807.

NHTSA ODI #10749785

131,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Air BagsWheelsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WOODEN POLE, WHICH CRASHED THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES AND LANDED UPSID…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WOODEN POLE, WHICH CRASHED THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW. THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BROKEN BONES AND INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOWING COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #10748242

122,000 miles · Mar 18, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

ON FEBRUARY 7TH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE. WE CONTACTED GM TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED THERE WERE NOT AND WE SHOULD CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. ON FEBRUARY 11TH THEY HAD US TAKE OUR VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP WHE…

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ON FEBRUARY 7TH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE. WE CONTACTED GM TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON OUR VEHICLE. WE WERE INSTRUCTED THERE WERE NOT AND WE SHOULD CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE. ON FEBRUARY 11TH THEY HAD US TAKE OUR VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CONDUCTED AND INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHY. GM RETURNED OUR VEHICLE TO US ON MARCH 3RD STATING THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS CAUSED BY SHORTED WIRES IN THE WIRING HARNESS. SINCE OUR VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO US WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL MORE ISSUES THAT WERE NOT PRESENT PRIOR TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER SEAT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION, THE REAR WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK, THE REAR LOCKS WILL NOT WORK, THE FUEL SYSTEM IS LEAKING GAS, AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD, EVEN HAVING TO BE JUMP STARTED WHEN IT WAS RETURNED TO US. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS, STATING THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE AIRBAG BLEW, WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT SMOKE INSIDE THE DASH, WE BELIEVE THE AIRBAG BURNT/SHORTED THE WIRES AFTER IT DEPLOYED. GM CLAIM NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10695024

Official recalls

5

14V070000 · Electrical System

Feb 11, 2014

Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.

06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal

Oct 31, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.

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.

05V103000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Mar 18, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER MAY BE MISSING. IF THE RETAINER IS MISSING, THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUSHROD COULD DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHROD RETAINER AND INSTALL ONE IF IT IS MISSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER BEGAN CONTACTING OWNERS BY TELEPHONE ON MARCH 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V055000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator

Feb 14, 2005

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT." UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE STARTING CONDITIONS, THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR LOCATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER MAY NOT ILLUMINATE. IF THE SHIFT LEVER POSITION INDICATOR DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY TO OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.