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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

Seats complaints

8 reports
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8,500 miles · May 17, 2019
SeatsSteering

'TAHOE RECALLS' FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT FULLY

NHTSA ODI #11208373

133,000 miles · Nov 24, 2014
SeatsInjury

THE HEATING ELEMENT LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SHIRT AND BURNED THE SKIN. THE SKIN WAS RED AND NOW THERE IS A SCAB. THIS WILL DEFINITELY LEAVE A SCAR. I DID NOT SEE ANY RECALLS IN THE DATABASE FOR THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN TAHOES (2005). THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO TH…

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THE HEATING ELEMENT LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE PASSENGER SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SHIRT AND BURNED THE SKIN. THE SKIN WAS RED AND NOW THERE IS A SCAB. THIS WILL DEFINITELY LEAVE A SCAR. I DID NOT SEE ANY RECALLS IN THE DATABASE FOR THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN TAHOES (2005). THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660702

30,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Seats

THE CLIPS TO INSTALL THE SEAT CRUMBLED. THEREFORE, YOU CANNOT LOCK THE SEATS IN ITS PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641203

46,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
Seats

REAR SEATS LOCK IN POSITION AND ARE DIFFICULT TO LET DOWN AND DIFFICULT TO PUT UP. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT THE SEATS ARE NOT LOCKING PROPERLY AND REAR SEAT PASSENGERS ARE ENDANGERED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. I AM SPEAKING OF THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS AND NOT THE THIRD ROW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595737

113,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
SeatsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUSED A SMALL SPARK TO IGNITE UNDER THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED WHEN IT SHORT CIRCUITED AND CAUSED A SMALL SPARK TO IGNITE UNDER THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI #10569359

96,000 miles · Feb 6, 2010
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

I AM WRITING THIS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A FIRE HAZARD WITH THE SEAT WARMERS IN 2005 CHEVY TAHOE. I HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICAL TO THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE MY SEAT WARMER WOULD GET WARMER THAN USUAL AND AFTER 2 TO 3 MINUTES WOULD SHUT OFF. COME TO FIND OUT THE SEAT WARMER PAD HAD SHORTED OUT AND BURNT. I HAVE THE SEAT WARMER PAD THAT IS CH…

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I AM WRITING THIS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A FIRE HAZARD WITH THE SEAT WARMERS IN 2005 CHEVY TAHOE. I HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICAL TO THE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE MY SEAT WARMER WOULD GET WARMER THAN USUAL AND AFTER 2 TO 3 MINUTES WOULD SHUT OFF. COME TO FIND OUT THE SEAT WARMER PAD HAD SHORTED OUT AND BURNT. I HAVE THE SEAT WARMER PAD THAT IS CHARCOALED AND BURNT. I HAVE CONTACTED AND SPOKE TO GM REPRESENTIVES 4 TIMES INFORMING THEM OF THE FIRE HAZARD ALL I GET IS THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, MY VEHICLE HAS TO MANY MILES AND I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP OTHER THAN GM. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE AND GM NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10306908

55,000 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Electrical SystemSeats

THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT QUIT WORKING ALONG WITH BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE HEATED SEATS QUIT WORKING AS WELL. PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT WORKED FINE. WE TOOK THE TAHOE INTO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONNECTOR, UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, WAS MELTED. THEY REPLACED THE CONNECTOR, HOWEVER, THE DRIVE…

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THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT QUIT WORKING ALONG WITH BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE HEATED SEATS QUIT WORKING AS WELL. PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT WORKED FINE. WE TOOK THE TAHOE INTO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONNECTOR, UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, WAS MELTED. THEY REPLACED THE CONNECTOR, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT CONTROLS SEEM BACKWARDS. WHEN YOU PULL THE LEAVER UP, THE SEAT GOES DOWN, AND VICE VERSA. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS MALFUNCTION MAY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256545

65,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
SeatsFire

2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE BURNED IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT SEAT WARMER WAS SOURCE OF FIRE. SEAT WARMERS HAVE NOT BEEN IN USE SINCE LAST WINTER. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF AND KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. MY GARAGE INCURRED SIGNIFICANT SMOKE DAMAGE. LUCKILY THE FIRE …

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2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE BURNED IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT SEAT WARMER WAS SOURCE OF FIRE. SEAT WARMERS HAVE NOT BEEN IN USE SINCE LAST WINTER. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OFF AND KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. MY GARAGE INCURRED SIGNIFICANT SMOKE DAMAGE. LUCKILY THE FIRE BURNED OUT DUE TO LACK OF OXYGEN BECAUSE WERE CLOSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248653

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.