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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.

About this comparison →

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

Electrical System complaints

126 reports
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62,000 miles · Aug 8, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE LIFTGATE AND GLASS WILL NOT UNLOCK AND THERE IS NO RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE SO YOU ARE TRAPPED IF SOMETHING HAPPENS. I HAVE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND THERE IS NOT. I HAVE CONTACTED GM WITH NO RESPONSE AS WELL AS SEEING HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE POST ONLINE THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION. THIS MAKES THE CAR A DEATH…

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THE LIFTGATE AND GLASS WILL NOT UNLOCK AND THERE IS NO RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE SO YOU ARE TRAPPED IF SOMETHING HAPPENS. I HAVE LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND THERE IS NOT. I HAVE CONTACTED GM WITH NO RESPONSE AS WELL AS SEEING HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE POST ONLINE THAT ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION. THIS MAKES THE CAR A DEATH TRAP IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, FIRE, GOING IN WATER AS YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE IF YOU ARE IN THE REAR NOR CAN SOMEONE RUN AROUND THE BACK AND OPEN THE HANDLE TO TRY TO GET SOMEONE OUT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621018

131,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR TRIED TURNING OFF AND ALSO I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT ON THE RADIO AND ON THE STEELING WHEEL AS WELL. I AM VERY SCARED THAT THIS ISSUE WITH THE SPEED WILL CAUSE ME A FATAL ACCIDENT AND I HAVE TWO KIDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599143

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

APPROXIMATELY 5:50 P.M. AS MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD THE CAR STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MANY OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO CRANK AGAIN TO PULL IT INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT COMPLETELY IN THE PARKING SPACE AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT UPSETTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFI…

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APPROXIMATELY 5:50 P.M. AS MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD THE CAR STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MANY OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO CRANK AGAIN TO PULL IT INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT COMPLETELY IN THE PARKING SPACE AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT UPSETTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FOR THIS BUSINESS, BUT COULD NOT CRANK THE CAR TO GET IT COMPLETELY IN THE PARKING SPACE. AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES. WHEN THE GUY CAME TO TOW THE CAR ALL THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON, STEERING STILL LOCKED AND UNABLE TO START ENGINE UP. THE GUYS AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS TOWED STARTED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE ON FRIDAY MORNING BY CLOSING THEY STILL HAD NOT FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. AROUND LUNCH TIME ON MONDAY THEY REALIZED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE PART WAS $49.52 BUT THE LABOR WAS COSTLY. I ENDED UP PAYING $476 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. REALLY DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME. CAN'T BELIEVE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL WHEN IT IS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. MY STATEMENT ON THE REPAIR ORDER STATES, "THE CUSTOMER SAYS THE CAR STOPPED AS SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596697

50,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL SEEM TO BE REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED THEN CHANGES TO A SPEED WE COULD NOT BE GOING. USUALLY UNDER REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED. WE WILL BE GOING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH AND IT WILL READ 30. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WE HAVE TRIED TO COMPENSATE BY USING THE T…

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THE SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. IT WILL SEEM TO BE REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED THEN CHANGES TO A SPEED WE COULD NOT BE GOING. USUALLY UNDER REPORTING THE CORRECT SPEED. WE WILL BE GOING BETWEEN 50 AND 60 MPH AND IT WILL READ 30. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WE HAVE TRIED TO COMPENSATE BY USING THE TACHOMETER BUT LATELY I DON'T FEEL I CAN TRUST IT EITHER. THE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $400 AND $500 AND I NOW READ OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS LIKE ME WHO HAVE NOT REPORTED THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITE TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575817

154,900 miles · Jan 1, 2014
Electrical System

OUR SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT TELL US HOW FAST WE ARE GOING ALL THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS FINE BUT OCCASIONALLY IT WILL REGISTER A DIFFERENT SPEED THAN WHAT WE ARE TRAVELING. SOMETIMES IT SAYS WE ARE GOING SLOWER THAN WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS WE ARE GOING FASTER THAN WE ARE GOING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558087

83,102 miles · Dec 29, 2013
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE HEATER WAS ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE HEATER OFF. A WHILE LATER WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT BACK ON THE FRONT BLOWER DID NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH THE REAR BLOWER DID. BEING AND EASILY REPLACEABLE PART, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE PANEL OFF TO REMOVE THE BLOWER MOTOR. WH…

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WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMELL OF SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. THE HEATER WAS ON SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE HEATER OFF. A WHILE LATER WHEN I TURNED THE HEAT BACK ON THE FRONT BLOWER DID NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH THE REAR BLOWER DID. BEING AND EASILY REPLACEABLE PART, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE PANEL OFF TO REMOVE THE BLOWER MOTOR. WHILE TRYING TO GET THE MOTOR OUT HE FOUND THAT THE WIRES WERE MELTED TOGETHER AND THE RESISTOR PLUG LOOKED BURNED. WE HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JULY OF 2005 AND WERE NOT AWARE OF THE GM SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE MATTER UNTIL TODAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE INTERNET I WOULD NOT KNOW IT NOW. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY BECAUSE WE OWN TWO VEHICLES THAT MY HAVE THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT IF I HAD NOT IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE UNIT THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HURT IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF OR MADE MORE PUBLIC? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557628

70,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Electrical System

TACHOMETER NEEDLE FELL TO 0 WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PREVIOUS SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED WITH A MILEAGE LIMIT ON THE REPAIR. DEALERSHIP WOULD REPLACE PART, HOWEVER, I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR LABOR HOURS. CURRENTLY, THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS BECAUSE REPAIR LABOR WOULD HAVE COST IN EXCESS OF $400. ALSO, SHIFT INDICA…

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TACHOMETER NEEDLE FELL TO 0 WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PREVIOUS SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED WITH A MILEAGE LIMIT ON THE REPAIR. DEALERSHIP WOULD REPLACE PART, HOWEVER, I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR LABOR HOURS. CURRENTLY, THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS BECAUSE REPAIR LABOR WOULD HAVE COST IN EXCESS OF $400. ALSO, SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOW EXTREMELY DIM AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL. THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR OTHER 2005 TAHOES, HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I CALLED AND SPOKE WITH GM TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT BOTH ITEMS WOULD BE THE SAME AREA AND THAT NEITHER COULD BE FIXED UNDER A TSB OR A RECALL. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE KNOWN TO NHTSA AND GM, BUT GM IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THESE KNOWN PROBLEMS DUE TO A MILEAGE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548734

100,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER FROZE ON 57MPH. IT SEEMED TO FIX ITSELF AFTER A SERIES OF STARTUPS.

NHTSA ODI #10531532

116,985 miles · Jul 7, 2013
Electrical System

MY FAN BLOWER STOPPED WORKING IN JUNE. TOOK MY TAHOE TO LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED A FAILED BLOWER RESISTOR. HE REPLACED THE RESISTOR ON 6/19. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE FAN STOPPED AGAIN. ON 7/3 HE FOUND THE RESISTOR CORRODED AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS. HIS PARTS PLACE REPLACED THE RESISTOR ON WARRANTY. ON 7/4 THE FAN BLOWER BLEW UP…

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MY FAN BLOWER STOPPED WORKING IN JUNE. TOOK MY TAHOE TO LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED A FAILED BLOWER RESISTOR. HE REPLACED THE RESISTOR ON 6/19. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE FAN STOPPED AGAIN. ON 7/3 HE FOUND THE RESISTOR CORRODED AFTER ONLY TWO WEEKS. HIS PARTS PLACE REPLACED THE RESISTOR ON WARRANTY. ON 7/4 THE FAN BLOWER BLEW UP. 1/3 OF THE BLOWER COVER IS MISSING (CHARDS). I WAS IN REVERSE IN MY DRIVEWAY, WITH THE AC RUNNING ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES, AND HER A LOUD BANG AND A PUFF OF SMOKE CAME OUT THE GLOVE BOX. GM HAS SPECIAL COVERAGE BULLETINS 11046, 10240 AND 10240A ON SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES, BUT THEY SAY THEY DO NOT COVER THE TAHOE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523546

92,000 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #10509951

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.