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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

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

VEHICLE STATES SERVICE AIR BAG SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI #11255381

210 miles · Feb 15, 2019
Unknown Or OtherFire

I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL TRUCK SAT FOR 2-3 DAYS NO ONE DROVE IT. WOKE MY WIFE UP AT ABOUT 9 AM ON 02/08/2019 ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNED TRUCK TO THE GROUND . FIREMEN HAD TO USE JAWS OF LIFE TO GET DOORS OPEN BURNED COMPLETELY UP AND I ONLY HAD LIABILITY ON IT PURCHASED IT JUST 3 MONTHS AGO FROM A USED CAR LOT. IT CAUGHT A LITTLE BIT…

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I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL TRUCK SAT FOR 2-3 DAYS NO ONE DROVE IT. WOKE MY WIFE UP AT ABOUT 9 AM ON 02/08/2019 ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNED TRUCK TO THE GROUND . FIREMEN HAD TO USE JAWS OF LIFE TO GET DOORS OPEN BURNED COMPLETELY UP AND I ONLY HAD LIABILITY ON IT PURCHASED IT JUST 3 MONTHS AGO FROM A USED CAR LOT. IT CAUGHT A LITTLE BIT OF OUR HOUSE ON FIRE NEWBORN KEPT WATER ON IT TILL FIREMEN ARRIVED IF NOT WHOLE HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED WIFE SAID SHE HEARD A POP NOISE WENT OUTSIDE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI #11180216

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

160,000 miles · Dec 6, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

WHEN I START MY CAR START MY CAR IT SAYS SERVICE SEVILLA TRACK AND SERVICE AIRBAG WITH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS HAPPENING MY WIPER BLADES DON'T WORK AND MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AS WELL I'VE ALSO NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ON MY MOM'S 2000 CHEVY TAHOE AND ON MY PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2001 GMC YUKON I THINK IT IS ACROSS THE BOARD GM…

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WHEN I START MY CAR START MY CAR IT SAYS SERVICE SEVILLA TRACK AND SERVICE AIRBAG WITH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS HAPPENING MY WIPER BLADES DON'T WORK AND MY CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AS WELL I'VE ALSO NOTICED THIS HAPPENING ON MY MOM'S 2000 CHEVY TAHOE AND ON MY PREVIOUSLY OWNED 2001 GMC YUKON I THINK IT IS ACROSS THE BOARD GM ELECTRICAL PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11052823

99,000 miles · Mar 8, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE LIGHT SHOWING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN HAS GONE OUT. IT STARTS ON THEN FADES OFF. I LOOKED UP AND FOUND A RECALL - #05V055000 WHICH IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. WHEN I CALLED CHEVY - THEY SAID MY VIN SHOWS NO OPEN RECALLS. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME BEING THAT I AM HAVING THAT EXACT PROBLEM AND MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL SHOW TH…

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THE LIGHT SHOWING WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN HAS GONE OUT. IT STARTS ON THEN FADES OFF. I LOOKED UP AND FOUND A RECALL - #05V055000 WHICH IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. WHEN I CALLED CHEVY - THEY SAID MY VIN SHOWS NO OPEN RECALLS. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME BEING THAT I AM HAVING THAT EXACT PROBLEM AND MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL SHOW THAT AS A RECALL? HOW CAN THEY PICK AND CHOSE WHICH CARS WERE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL??

NHTSA ODI #10845552

45,200 miles · Apr 20, 2015
Unknown Or Other

REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT UNLOCK VIA REMOTE OR MANUAL KEY. FROM THE INTERIOR, THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE OR EMERGENCY RELEASE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE LIFT GATE DOOR OR WINDOW. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, ESCAPING FROM A VEHICLE THAT WAS DAMAGED, OVERTURNED OR ON FIRE VIA THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE LACK OF AN…

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REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT UNLOCK VIA REMOTE OR MANUAL KEY. FROM THE INTERIOR, THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE OR EMERGENCY RELEASE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE LIFT GATE DOOR OR WINDOW. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, ESCAPING FROM A VEHICLE THAT WAS DAMAGED, OVERTURNED OR ON FIRE VIA THE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE DUE TO THE LACK OF AN EMERGENCY REAR LIFT GATE RELEASE. IN MY CASE, I HAD SECURED MY PET IN A PET CRATE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON A 77 DEGREE DAY. I COULD NOT GET HIM OUT THE REAR ACCESS, UNABLE TO OPEN SAME BY ANY MEANS. FORTUNATELY I HAD TIME AND CRAWLED IN THE BACK, TURNED THE CRATE AROUND, FOLDED DOWN REAR SEATS, AND REMOVED 100 LB LABRADOR RETRIEVER OUT THE SECOND ROW DOOR. THERE IS A KEYED LOCK BLOW THE LIFT GATE IN THE REAR COVERED BY A PLASTIC DOOR. THE KEY TURNED AND THE WHOLE LOCK CYLINDER CAME OUT. THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON THIS LOCK IN THE DRIVER'S MANUAL OF WHAT IT DOES OR DOES NOT DO. I AM HAVING THIS REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY AT MY EXPENSE. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET/GM. I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10711848

96,500 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR BEGAN TO BE DIMMER THAN THE OTHER DASH DISPLAYS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN IT IS NOW NO LONGER VISIBLE AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO VISUALLY DETERMINE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER GM RECALL 05023 (NHTSA 05V055…

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APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR BEGAN TO BE DIMMER THAN THE OTHER DASH DISPLAYS. THE DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN IT IS NOW NO LONGER VISIBLE AND IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO VISUALLY DETERMINE WHAT GEAR THE VEHICLE IS IN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER GM RECALL 05023 (NHTSA 05V055000). *JS

NHTSA ODI #10609120

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainUnknown Or Other

LAST YEAR I NOTICE THAT THE TRACTION ACTIVE WARNING WOULD GO ON AND THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE THAT WOULD FOLLOW. THIS WOULD HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. AROUND MAY OF LAST YEAR IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, AS I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WOULD SUDDENLY STOP AND TURN OFF ON ITS OWN AFTER TRACTION WARNING CAME ON. ALSO …

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LAST YEAR I NOTICE THAT THE TRACTION ACTIVE WARNING WOULD GO ON AND THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE THAT WOULD FOLLOW. THIS WOULD HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE FIRST FEW MONTHS. AROUND MAY OF LAST YEAR IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN, AS I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK WOULD SUDDENLY STOP AND TURN OFF ON ITS OWN AFTER TRACTION WARNING CAME ON. ALSO AFTER HAVING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE TRACTION WARNING WOULD COME ON WHEN ACCELERATING TO GO . THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW EVERYDAY SINCE MAY OF LAST YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE TO SEE IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO ANY OTHER OWNERS OF TAHOES AND IT HAS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ CHEVEROLET HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE NOT TO BE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR BUT I HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER DRIVERS HAVE TURNED OFF THEIR "STABILITRAK CONTROL". I HAVE TRIED THIS AND IT DOES HELP TO SOME EXTENT BUT THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. CHEVEROLET KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE BROUGHT THEIR SUV IN FOR REPAIRS AND HAD THE SPEED SENSORS REPLACED. WHEN THEY DRIVE THEIR SUV AFTER THE SO CALL REPAIR, THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THE TRANSFER CASE. DUE TO THAT EVERY TIME THIS PROBLEM WOULD START THE NOISE WOULD COME FROM RIGHT UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. EVEN WITH THE "STABILITRAK CONTROL" BEING TURNED OFF THE HUMMING AND RUMBLING OF GEAR SOUNDS RIGHT UNDER THE SEAT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING 30 TO 40 MPH THE SUV COMING TO A STOP AND TURNING OFF. SEVERAL PEOPLE WROTE THAT THIS HAPPENED AT HWY SPEED. THIS HAS BEEN MY FEAR. CHEVEROLET SHOULD OFFICIALLY RECALL TAHOES WITH THIS ISSUE. IN CANADA A RECALL WAS PUT OUT DUE TO A SIMILAR SITUATION. WHY IS IT THAT THIS HASN'T BEEN DONE HERE AND OWNERS IN THE US HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10375736

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.