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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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111,000 miles · Apr 27, 2013
Electrical SystemStructure

TAILGATE AND REAR WINDOW WILL NOT LOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509759

98,000 miles · Jan 8, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFire

I WENT TO THE STORE APROX AT 8PM AND GO BACK APROX AT 915PM AND PARK MY CAR. APROX AT 11PM MY NEIGHBORS CALL US AND SAID THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS STARTED APROX FROM THE ENGINE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491886

72,685 miles · Dec 2, 2012
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING SPEEDOMETER STAYS AT 0. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS MALFUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486742

100,000 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING OR WILL DISPLAY FALSE SPEEDS FROM 0 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TO 120 WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER 2005 CHEVY TAHOE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486571

110,000 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Electrical System

THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT DECREASE SPEED, AND BUT WOULD REGISTER AN INCREASE, AND CONSEQUENTLY WOULD NOT REFLECT ACTUAL SPEED. I COULD CORRECT PROBLEM BY REPEATEDLY STARTING VEHICLE, UNTIL EVENTUALLY IT JUST WOULD NO LONGER REGISTER A CHANGE IN SPEED AT ALL. NOW I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED MY VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481165

96,816 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 105MPH. IT NOW READS 25MPH WHEN STOPPED AND WILL READ 65MPH WHILE ONLY TRAVELING 35MPH. THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED WITH A GPS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF GM VEHICLES AND MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ONLY FIX IS A NEW INSTRU…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT 65MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO 105MPH. IT NOW READS 25MPH WHEN STOPPED AND WILL READ 65MPH WHILE ONLY TRAVELING 35MPH. THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED WITH A GPS. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF GM VEHICLES AND MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ONLY FIX IS A NEW INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475817

63,007 miles · Jul 1, 2012
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE IS THE FACT THAT GM DOOR ACTUATORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. GM IS NOT RECALLING THE PARTS AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, OR OPEN CONSISTENTLY, AND THEY DO NOT COVER THE REPAIRS UNLESS YOU HAVE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY OR IT MIGHT BE COVERED ON MAJOR GUARD WHICH THEY DON'T EVE…

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THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE IS THE FACT THAT GM DOOR ACTUATORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. GM IS NOT RECALLING THE PARTS AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. DOORS WILL NOT LOCK, OR OPEN CONSISTENTLY, AND THEY DO NOT COVER THE REPAIRS UNLESS YOU HAVE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY OR IT MIGHT BE COVERED ON MAJOR GUARD WHICH THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER ON MY VEHICLE. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE ISSUE. PEOPLE CAN BE CARJACKED, OR THEIR VEHICLES STOLEN BECAUSE THEIR DOOR LOCKS WON'T FUNCTION. GM JUST FLAT OUT DOES NOT CARE, AND THE PROBLEM ISN'T JUST ON THE TAHOE & SUBURBAN LINES. HERE ARE JUST A FEW LINKS OUT THERE ON THIS ISSUE. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX?14@@.F206D4B/0 HTTP://WWW.CHEVYMALIBUFORUM.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=7950 AND HERE'S SOMEONE WHO APPEARS TO HAVE A FIX, GET RID OF THE CHEAP CHINESE PARTS. HTTP://WWW.GREENHYBRID.COM/DISCUSS/F69/TAHOE-DOOR-LOCK-ACTUATOR-PROBLEM-SOLUTION-27064/ THE FACT THAT THIS BUSINESS PRACTICE IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SEEMS ABSURD. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND A RECALL ISSUED. AT A MINIMUM IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM FOR ALL FAILURES ON ALL VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463857

108,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Electrical SystemStructure

THE REAR TAILGATE LOCK STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHICH PREVENTS THE REAR WINDOW OR THE TAILGATE TO BE OPENED. THERE IS NOT A MANUAL WAY TO OPEN THE TAILGATE OR WINDOW FROM THE INSIDE EITHER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461919

90,000 miles · Apr 24, 2012
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2005 TAHOE WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. ABOUT 5-6 MONTHS AGO MY SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. I DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS AT THE TIME AND LET IT GO EVEN THOUGH I FELT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I RECEIVED NO LETTER FROM GM THAT THEY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL GOODYEAR PLACE AND THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE…

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I HAVE A 2005 TAHOE WHICH I BOUGHT NEW. ABOUT 5-6 MONTHS AGO MY SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. I DIDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS AT THE TIME AND LET IT GO EVEN THOUGH I FELT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I RECEIVED NO LETTER FROM GM THAT THEY WERE HAVING THIS PROBLEM UNTIL TODAY. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO MY LOCAL GOODYEAR PLACE AND THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT. MY SISTER, WHO HAD WORKED AT GM, HAD ME CALL THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP JACK BURFORD IN RICHMOND, KENTUCKY. THEY SAID THEY'D GIVE ME A NEW CLUSTER BUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR ($130), I THEN CALLED GN AT 800-222-1020 AND TALKED WITH A WOMAN NAMED[XXX]. SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THAT ISSUE BUT A "SPECIAL POLICY". ALSO, IT WAS GOOD ONLY FOR CARS WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. MINE HAS 97,000. THEY'RE STILL GOING TO FIX IT THOUGH BUT IT MAKES ME UPSET THAT THEY DIDN'T NOTIFY ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. THE POLICY APPARENTLY WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2005, WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND EXPIRES IN JULY, 2012. I WONDER IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND, IF SO, SINCE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A SAFETY ISSUE, SHOULD THE CARS BE RECALLED? THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456309

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY SPEEDOMETER HAS RECENTLY EITHER NOT MOVED AT ALL OR DISPLAYS EXCESSIVE SPEEDS INCLUDING 120MPH WHEN TRAVELING ON AVERAGE OF 35MPH TO 50MPH WHICH IS ARE THE REGULAR LIMITS FOR MY AREA. SOME SPEEDS WERE AS LOW AS 25. LATELY, IT HAS ONLY WORKED FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME. THE ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT EVEN DETECT THA…

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MY SPEEDOMETER HAS RECENTLY EITHER NOT MOVED AT ALL OR DISPLAYS EXCESSIVE SPEEDS INCLUDING 120MPH WHEN TRAVELING ON AVERAGE OF 35MPH TO 50MPH WHICH IS ARE THE REGULAR LIMITS FOR MY AREA. SOME SPEEDS WERE AS LOW AS 25. LATELY, IT HAS ONLY WORKED FOR A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE TIME. THE ONSTAR DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT EVEN DETECT THAT THIS HAS/IS A PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445994

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.