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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

Service Brakes complaints

17 reports
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255,004 miles · Jan 14, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THE RECALLS WAS UP TO DATE, MY CONCERN IS MOSTLY WHEN I SOMETIMES HIT THE BRAKES I HEAR A HUMMING SOUND. NOT SURE IF IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY RECALL OR NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11299368

200,000 miles · Aug 2, 2018
Service BrakesSteering

NOTICED NOISE IN MY POWER STEERING ON INSPECTION FOUND TO BE LOW ON FLUID FINLEY FOUND LEAK AT BREAK SYSTEM. ON RESEARCH FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLUM ON MANY CHEVY AUTOS AND TRUCKS FROM 2003 TO 2006 THOSE ARE THE ONES I FOUND

NHTSA ODI #11115363

147,390 miles · Jan 3, 2018
Service Brakes

DRIVING TO HELP MY DAUGHTER AFTER SHE SLID ON ICY ROAD INTO DITCH CHRISTMAS MORNING, I HIT THE SAME PATCH OF ICE, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID THE FRONT BAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL THE OTHERS WERE JUST AS BAD. SAID THEY ALL SHOULD BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1700

NHTSA ODI #11058389

190,000 miles · Dec 12, 2017
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON HIS OWN, BRAKE ENGAGES FOR NO REASON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OFF

NHTSA ODI #11054141

89,500 miles · Sep 12, 2016
Service Brakes

TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR DURING OPERATION AND VEHICLE LUCKILY CAME TO A STOP WHEN PEDAL WAS GROUND INTO THE FLOORBOARD. BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM THE LINE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND IS AWAITING AN …

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TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR DURING OPERATION AND VEHICLE LUCKILY CAME TO A STOP WHEN PEDAL WAS GROUND INTO THE FLOORBOARD. BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM THE LINE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND IS AWAITING AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10905877

96,000 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Service Brakes

WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PRESSED THE BRAKE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR THE BRAKE FELT LOOSE. AS I GOT THE TO BOTTOM OF MY SHORT DRIVEWAY I PUSHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE BE LOOKED AT AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY BREAK…

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WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PRESSED THE BRAKE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR THE BRAKE FELT LOOSE. AS I GOT THE TO BOTTOM OF MY SHORT DRIVEWAY I PUSHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE BE LOOKED AT AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY BREAK LINE HAD BEEN RUSTED THROUGH. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 1 MONTH AND 10 DAYS AGO. I THEN DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS EVEN A REPAIR KIT; HOWEVER, THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL SO NOW THE COST IS ON ME TO FIX. 365.00 PER MONTH CAR PAYMENT AND NOW NEAR 1500 DOLLAR CAR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633170

110,000 miles · Sep 8, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 Z71 CHEVY TAHOE. HAD NO CLUE UNTIL I TRIED TO STOP AND MY PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR NOT STOPPING MY TRUCK AND I RAN A RED LIGHT. THANK-GOD I HIT NO OTHER CAR OR PERSON! THERE WAS NO WARNING - NO LIGHTS - NOTHING INDICATING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, NOT EVEN A LITTLE DRIP OF BRAKE F…

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BRAKE LINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 Z71 CHEVY TAHOE. HAD NO CLUE UNTIL I TRIED TO STOP AND MY PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR NOT STOPPING MY TRUCK AND I RAN A RED LIGHT. THANK-GOD I HIT NO OTHER CAR OR PERSON! THERE WAS NO WARNING - NO LIGHTS - NOTHING INDICATING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, NOT EVEN A LITTLE DRIP OF BRAKE FLUID BEFORE THE BURST LINE. I TAKE MY TRUCK IN FOR IT'S FREE OIL CHANGES EVERY 5000 MILES. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME EVERY TIME ALL THE THINGS THAT NEED REPAIR OR WILL NEED ATTENTION SOON. AFTER GETTING UNDER MY TRUCK AND LOOKING AT MY BRAKE LINES, I WAS SO SCARED! HOLLY CRAP THEY ARE NOTHING BUT RUST. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. WHY DOES THE DEALERSHIP TELL ME I NEED NEW WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR BELTS - (3 YEARS LATER I STILL HAVE THE SAME BELTS AND THEY ARE STILL FINE) BUT NEGLECT TO TELL ME MY BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND COULD BLOW AT ANYTIME RESULTING IN BRAKE LOSS! THAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH ME BEFORE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS!!!!! THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO KNOW MY BRAKES LINES WERE THIS BAD - WHY WAS NOTHING SAID??? NOW LOOKING ONLINE I SEE I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NOR WILL I BE THE LAST. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT GM CONSIDERS THIS TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT'S DANGEROUS AND COULD KILL SOMEONE. GM IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY - IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY FOR GM. SETTLEMENTS ARE CHEAPER THAN A TOTAL RECALL - THAT'S UNTIL DEATHS DO OCCUR AND I BET MY LIFE ON IT A DEATH WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THESE BAD BRAKES LINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631601

88,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsService Brakes

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TAHOE, WHICH RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY PROBLEMS,I WAS WONDERING IF THERE ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS VEHICLE...SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON...ABS LIGHT IS ON...SEAT BELTS ON MIDDLE SECTION DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY,IT GETS STUCK MANY TIMES...STEERING SOMETIMES GETS STIFF. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608895

67,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE TO REAR RUPTURED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES. HAD IT TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR. REPAIR COST WAS IN EXCESS OF $1,300. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10604799

63,000 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Service Brakes

WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE A STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FLUID AND BRAKES. I WAS TOLD ALL THE LINES, WHERE THEY CONTACTED THE FRAME, HAD CORRODED. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. ALSO DEALER REPORTED THAT THEY ARE SEEING THIS QUITE A BIT IN CHEVY TRUCKS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN C…

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WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE A STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FLUID AND BRAKES. I WAS TOLD ALL THE LINES, WHERE THEY CONTACTED THE FRAME, HAD CORRODED. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. ALSO DEALER REPORTED THAT THEY ARE SEEING THIS QUITE A BIT IN CHEVY TRUCKS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF IT HAPPENED ON THE OPEN ROAD. ONLY BY CHANCE DID IT OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR OTHER SERVICE. A GM AGENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 7, 20014. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577415

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.