FaultScore

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems

27 of the 390 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe are about the engine — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

B

27

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 9 33.3%
Engine 5 18.5%
Cooling System 4 14.8%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 3 11.1%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2 7.4%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 2 7.4%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 3.7%
Emission Control 1 3.7%

Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Tahoe year

1996 27 2.7%
1997 14 1.4%
1998 23 2.3%
1999 29 2.9%
2000 12 1.2%
2001 19 1.9%
2002 26 2.6%
2003 29 2.9%
2004 48 4.8%
2005 20 2.0%
2007 79 7.9%
2008 29 2.9%
2009 16 1.6%
2010 11 1.1%
2011 12 1.2%
2013 13 1.3%
2015 48 4.8%
2016 19 1.9%
2017 27 2.7%
2018 22 2.2%
2019 29 2.9%
2020 12 1.2%
2021 172 17.1%
2022 76 7.6%
2023 127 12.6%
2024 29 2.9%
2025 23 2.3%
2026 15 1.5%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 168,000 miles Enfield, CT Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BEGAN FLASHING. THERE WAS SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO MULTIPY; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO FIRE PRESENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT PROVIDE MORE DETAILS AFTER RECEIVING A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA complaint #10252202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 147,954 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE NOT OPERATING NORMALLY. THEY WERE REPAIRED IN 2001. RECALL 03V159000 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO WROTE ON THE INVOICE THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE WORKING TEMPORARILY AND CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME. THE CORPORATE OFFICE OF GM WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147956 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148114. UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT COMING ON. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH BE LOOKED AT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND STALL AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE MUFFLER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 01/09/09.

NHTSA complaint #10250352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Takoma Park, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO I SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THE EXTENSIVE REPAIRS I HAD TO DO ON MY 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING ON THE MATTER. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE PAPERWORK WAS RECEIVED, IF THERE IS A NUMBER I SHOULD CALL TO FOLLOW UP OR IS THERE ANOTHER WAY I CAN CHECK ON THE STATUS OF COMPLAINT. THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10118614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Takoma Park, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER WAS HAVING TROUBLE WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS INADVERTENTLY FAIL AND CEASE WORKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED FAILURE WITH THE LIGHTING SYSTEM. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE LIGHT WAS ON. FUEL PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR.*AK THE BLINKER AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. STARTER WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLER ARM AND DRAG LINK. WATER PUMP LEAKED. POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED. BRAKE CABLE BROKE. PINION SEAL LEAKED. MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #10111173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Johnston, RI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

EXHAUST Y PIPE SHEARED OFF, COMMON IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. VERY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE PARTS INCLUDE Y PIPE TWO CATALLETIC CONVERTERS AND THREE O2 SENSORS.

NHTSA complaint #10088930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles NEW Bedford, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING AT USUAL SPEED OF 35 MPH,DOWN A STEEP HILL MY WIFE WAS TERRIFIED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE FAILED, STEERING AND BRAKING BECAME DIFFICULT AND, IN HER MIND, NOTHING WAS WORKING. SHE MISSED A NUMBER OF CARS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL AND PULLED INTO A VACANT GAS STATION. THE ENGINE STARTED FOR ME AFTER SHE CALLED ME ON HER CELL PHONE AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPENED BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME DRIVING AND I UNDERSTOOD THE STRESS THAT SHE ENDURED. THE CHEVY AGENCY(CHASE MOTORS IN MIDDLEBORO MASS WAS NICE AND CURTIOUS AND STATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED AT NO COAST TO US. THE IDENTICAL THING HAPPENED AGAIN ? TIME BETWEEN AND AGAIN THE CHASE CHEVY REPLACED THE PART AND STATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN FIXED AND WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND MY WIFE STATES THAT SHE WILL NEVER DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. IN TALKING TO A REPRESENTATIVE AT GMC HE STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THAT WAS DANGEROUS AT 40 MPH TO HAPPEN THEY DID NOT CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA complaint #10071081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,698 miles Upland, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I WAS GOING OVER A BRIDGE ON I-95 WHEN THE TRUCKS RPM'S MAXED OUT AND THE TRUCK DRIFTED TO A STOP. I HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKETS ABOUT 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS HAPPINING NOW I AM OUT A CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC HE SAID THAT FOR SOME REASON THE ENGINE BLEW. I TAKE CARE OF MY CARS AND CHECK ALL THE FLUIDS TWICE A WEEK. HOW CAN I GET THIS FIXED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 83,698 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE LASTED ANOTHER 50,000 TO 60,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10066205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Akron, OH Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 9 HOURS WITH THE ENGINE OFF BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA complaint #10055811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Overland Park, KS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS CAN LEAD TO ANY NUMBER OF VERY SERIOUS, AND EXPENSIVE, PROBLEMS. WHILE THE PART ITSELF ISN'T COSTLY, THE LABOR TO REPAIR IT IS VERY INTENSIVE, AND HAS BEEN QUOTED AROUND $800 USD (GIVE OR TAKE A COUPLE HUNDRED DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE). THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER COSTLY PROBLEM(S) THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK MAY HAVE PRODUCED. WE ARE DEMANDING ACCOUNTABILITY FROM GENERAL MOTORS. A NATIONWIDE BACKORDER SHOULD BE REASON ENOUGH FOR GM TO ASSEMBLE A RECALL. WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE WORLD'S LARGEST VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WHO HAS BEEN THE WORLD'S AUTOMOTIVE SALES LEADER SINCE 1931 WILL STAND UP AND CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS SO PREVALENT AMONG THEIR VEHICLES. RECALLS SHOULD BE MANDATED IN ALL CASES OF INCOMPETENCE, NOT SOLELY WHEN IT AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY. WHILE SOME OF US HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM OCCUR WITHIN OUR WARRANTY, THERE ARE MANY OTHERS OF US THAT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THESE EXPENSIVE REPAIRS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. BECAUSE GM HAS REFUSED TO ADMIT LIABILITY ON THIS ISSUE, WE FEEL THAT THIS WILL BE A REPETITIVE PROBLEM. ONCE THIS GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND CUSTOMERS POCKETS DRAINED, GM SERVICE CENTERS EVERYWHERE CAN EXPECT TO SEE CONSUMERS RETURNING, FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT HASN'T BEEN RECTIFIED DUE TO A DESIGNING FLAW ON GM'S PART. THIS ERROR SHOULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, NOT THE FIRST TIME IN FOR SERVICE, BUT BEFORE ENTERING MASS PRODUCTION IN MILLIONS OF VEHICLES. CAN ONE PRESUME THIS IS ONE WAY OF KEEPING GENERAL MOTORS PATRONS COMING BACK TIME AFTER TIME? *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10019019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Claremont, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8018540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sussex, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE USING EXCESS AMOUNTS OF OIL, DEALER STATED THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO CARRY EXTRA OIL AT ALL TIMES. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #564084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Plymouth, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

CONSUMER STATES THAT A DEFECT IN THE MULITFUNCTION SWITCH, CAUSES HER TO HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER REPLACED PART 3 TIMES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURING. NLM SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER COMING APART. DISCONNECT NIPPLE FITTING LEAKING. WIPERS SLAPPING ON WINDSHIELD AND HAS NO SPEED AND/OR INTERMITTENT WIPER OPERATION. DEALER FOUND NEEDS WIPER MOTOR AND WIPER TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #8007891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mount Plymouth, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

CONSUMER STATES THAT A DEFECT IN THE MULITFUNCTION SWITCH, CAUSES HER TO HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS. DEALER REPLACED PART 3 TIMES, PROBLEM STILL OCCURING. NLM SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER COMING APART. DISCONNECT NIPPLE FITTING LEAKING. WIPERS SLAPPING ON WINDSHIELD AND HAS NO SPEED AND/OR INTERMITTENT WIPER OPERATION. DEALER FOUND NEEDS WIPER MOTOR AND WIPER TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #8007891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kenner, LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILURE-SHIMS UNDER BEARINGS

NHTSA complaint #745103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Little Rock, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

PART REPLACED: AIR CONDITIONER COMPERSSOR, ORFICE, TENSIONER, BELT, SWITCH, AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL, SEAL,SHOE KIT, GASKET

NHTSA complaint #724737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Little Rock, AR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PART REPLACED: AIR CONDITIONER COMPERSSOR, ORFICE, TENSIONER, BELT, SWITCH, AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL, SEAL,SHOE KIT, GASKET

NHTSA complaint #724737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milton, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE STALLED TWICE IN 2 DAYS. PRIOR TO STALL, THE CLOCK WAS INOP AND THE RADIO WENT BLANK.

NHTSA complaint #721742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cudahy, WI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE TRAVELING THE RPMS WOULD DROP TO ZERO, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT INDICATIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #846215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richfield, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED/ SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

NHTSA complaint #844278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richfield, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN . CONSUMER HAD THE TRANMISSION REPAIRED THREE TIMES. BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE.

NHTSA complaint #844141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eureka, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILURE, CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #523396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canoga PAR, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE SEAL AND VALVE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orange, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fullerton, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN CONSUMER LET OFF GAS PEDAL DURING DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR MORE,THE VEHICLE WILL SLOW DOWN. ALSO WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT STARTED AT 1500 RMP. AFTER SVERAL SECONDS THE ENGINE WILL DIE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON EACH OCCASION THE PROBLEN REOCCURRED. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #823177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brookevill, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #603426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #603065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WATER PUMP BRACKET INSTALLED WRONG AT FACTORY, CAUSING SERPENTINE BELT TO WEAR THROUGH/BREAK, AS WELL AS ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND RADIATOR TO OVERFLOW.

NHTSA complaint #505917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

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