Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 1994 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA between 1997 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 28 of 34 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 3
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Tahoe. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 77
15% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 1994 compares with every other Chevrolet Tahoe
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 1997peak 2Sep 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Chevrolet Tahoe
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA02006Opened 31 May 2002Closed 23 Jul 2003VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.
EA01019Opened 28 Dec 2001Closed 27 Sep 2002SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT
RQ99015Opened 14 Jul 1999Closed 28 Dec 2001SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT FAILURE
Recalls on the 1994 Chevrolet Tahoe
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2003064323,584 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles (not involved in recall 98-150), may experience a windshield wiper failure due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. If this were to occur in a severe weather situation, driver's visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealer will replace defective wiper motor until 7 years or 112 000 km from date vehicle was originally placed into service or for those vehicles currently outside of this coverage, until March 31 2004.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Sioux Falls, SDCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WENT INTO AN INTERSECTION, HIT BY ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ONTO PASSENGER'S SIDE. DRY WEATHER; 35 MPH PRIOR TO STOPPING. VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #821060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAD AT GARAGE 4 TIMES FOR BRAKES & ON 5TH SET NOW. WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES, FRONT BRAKES LOCKUP; VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE; REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD. GOING 10MPH & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. ROAD DRY W/LOOSE GRAVEL & SAND.
NHTSA complaint #815726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 176,000 milesNEW Brenton, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET TAHOE S10. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO HIS VIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000.
NHTSA complaint #10241037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 176,000 milesNEW Brenton, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET TAHOE S10. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ABS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CURRENT RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO HIS VIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 176,000.
NHTSA complaint #10241037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesSilverdale, WA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10050574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesSarasota, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY S10 TAHOE BEGAN SPUTTERING AND STALLING COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING LAST WEEKEND. I JUST PICKED IT UP FROM THE SHOP AFTER HAVING THE EGR VALVE CLEANED (AMONG SEVERAL OTHER THINGS), ONLY TO HAVE IT LAST FOR THE 20 MINUTE DRIVE HOME BEFORE IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT MAY STILL BE THE EGR VALVE BEING CLOGGED AGAIN - AND TO EXPECT THAT TO BE A REGULAR PROBLEM. IF IT'S NOT THE EGR THAT IS THE MAIN PROBLEM, THEN IT IS LIKELY THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE PROBLEM IS, THE LITTLE PLASTIC TUBE THAT I NEED ON THE REGULATOR CANNOT BE BOUGHT ALONE. RATHER, I HAVE THE BUY THE WHOLE KIT AND PAY OVER $500 AND IT MAY NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE EGR IS GOING TO BE ON ONGOING PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT THE LAST WEEK RESEARCHING CHEVY COMPLAINTS ON THIS MODEL AND HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT PROBLEM. LIKE MOST OF THE CHEVY OWNERS THAT POSTED COMPLAINS ON VARIOUS SITES, I AM COMPLETELY FURIOUS THAT A VORTEC ENGINE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SO WONDERFUL, IS SEEMINGLY JUNK. WHY AM I GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE MY EGR VALVE CLEANED A MINIMUM OF ONCE A WEEK JUST TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD? WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A $500 "KIT" WHEN ALL I NEED IS A SMALL PLASTIC TUBE? I'M SORRY, I KNOW THAT SOME PARTS ARE EXPENSIVE ON CARS, BUT THIS IS A RIDICULOUS WAY TO ROB THE CONSUMER! THIS SUV IS A DEATH-TRAP IN MY OPINION! JUST DRIVING AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO SEE IF IT WOULD STALL, I ALMOST HIT A LITTLE BOY ON A BICYCLE WHEN IT DID STALL AND I LOST ALL POWER! I AM TERRIFIED TO PUT THIS TRUCK ON THE ROAD! I NEED TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK AND I PRAY TO GOD THAT I DON'T STALL OUT PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. ANY HELP OR ASSISTANCE THAT YOU CAN LEND WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #10037384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Demark, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A INTERNAL FUEL LINE INSIDE OF VORTEC MOTOR RUPTURE AND FUEL SPILL ALL OVER HIS ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THOSE PARTS BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE VIN.
NHTSA complaint #786012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, AR
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH DRIVER SEATBACK BROKE, NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8006328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pahrump, NV
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN DECEMBER 2001 THE BRAKE SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED FOR AN INSTANT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC VERY NEARLY CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. AGAIN ON FEB 6, 2002 THE SAME THING OCCURRED, AGAIN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I WILL PRESENT THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER IN HOPES OF HAVING IT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #757935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearl River, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
RECALL 98 V 150 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH; DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Biloxi, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DURING WET CONDITIONS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP ABS BRAKES LOCK UP, AND VEHICLE WILL SLIDE TO A STOP. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED A SENSOR IN ABS; HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #888689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swannanoa, NC
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
HAD TO HAVE GEAR BOX REPLACED, PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #884071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brandon, VT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VACUUM SWITCH CHANGED DUE TO RECALL ALTHOUGH DUE TO LENGTH OF TIME IT TOOK FOR MANUFACTER TO CHANGE MAY HAVE DAMAGED CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT OPERATES FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #736378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winston, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #849605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venice, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
PARTICULARLY IN WET WEATHER WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS. BRAKES REPLACED AND ABS SYSTEM IS STILL DEFECTIVE. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. NO RECALL ESTABLISHED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK MJS
NHTSA complaint #844523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Renton, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, DURING A DECLINE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH BY THE PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE PEDAL. DEALER SAYS IT'S NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #843762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND REAR ENDING OF OTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #530338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mystic, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
EGR VALVE HAS CARBON BUILD UP, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER
NHTSA complaint #533017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sioux Falls, SDCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WENT INTO AN INTERSECTION, HIT BY ANOTHER MOVING VEHICLE IN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER ONTO PASSENGER'S SIDE. DRY WEATHER; 35 MPH PRIOR TO STOPPING. VEHICLE TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #821060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, APPLIES BRAKES , DOES NOT SEEM THEY WILL GRAB. STOPPED ON TIME, BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN ABOUT 30 FEET SOONER THAN DRIVING A REGULAR VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #819268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Germantown, OHCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HAD AT GARAGE 4 TIMES FOR BRAKES & ON 5TH SET NOW. WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES, FRONT BRAKES LOCKUP; VEHICLE WOULD SLIDE; REAR BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD. GOING 10MPH & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. ROAD DRY W/LOOSE GRAVEL & SAND.
NHTSA complaint #815726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.