FaultScore

FaultScore report

2001 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Owners have filed 607 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA between 2000 and 2025. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 34 worst.

D

FaultScore 72/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Tahoe.

How this is worked out

The numbers

607

Complaints

52

Crashes reported

13

Fires reported

31

Injuries reported

5 complaints report a death.

67,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

18%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 80 vs 50 Severity 86 vs 50 Early failure 30 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 80
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Tahoe. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 30
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2001 compares with every other Chevrolet Tahoe

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 294 48.4%

17 crashes, 1 fires · median 73,650 mi

Tires 32 5.3%

Median failure at 59,476 miles

Airbags 31 5.1%

26 crashes, 0 fires · median 82,000 mi

Seat Belts 29 4.8%

3 crashes, 2 fires · median 50,000 mi

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 47,000 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 72,750 mi

Seats 21 3.5%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 110,000 mi

Steering 21 3.5%

1 crashes, 2 fires · median 54,000 mi

0 crashes, 4 fires · median 60,406 mi

Median failure at 91,140 miles

Median failure at 61,850 miles

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 98,500 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,841 mi

Suspension 13 2.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 61,508 mi

Equipment & Accessories 7 1.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 57,508 mi

Lights 6 1.0%

Median failure at 43,600 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 5 0.8%

Median failure at 88,350 miles

Wheels 5 0.8%

Median failure at 69,557 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 0.5%
Stability & Traction Control 1 0.2%

Median failure at 220,000 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 61 43.0%
Control Unit/Module 19 13.4%
Frontal 15 10.6%
Automatic Transmission 15 10.6%
Control Unit/Module 9 6.3%
Accelerator Pedal 8 5.6%
Body 8 5.6%
Rear/Other 7 4.9%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 13 3.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 6 1.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 25 6.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 71 18.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 97 25.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 62 16.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 75 19.5%
150,000+ miles 36 9.4%

When owners complained

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.

Oct 2000 peak 17 Jul 2025

NHTSA investigations into the 2001 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.

EA11001 Opened 5 Jan 2011 Closed 8 Apr 2015 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Brake line corrosion failure

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wis...

DP05009 Opened 20 Dec 2005 Closed 31 May 2006 PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

PE05020 Opened 28 Apr 2005 Closed 13 Sep 2005 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, V...

PE03026 Opened 12 Jun 2003 Closed 3 Nov 2003 WHEELS

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.TH...

PE02067 Opened 25 Sep 2002 Closed 11 Feb 2003 SEAT BELTS

ALLEGED FAILURE OF 2ND ROW SEATBELT ALR

THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) IS A FEATURE INCORPORATED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE FOR LOCKING THE WEBBING TO PROPERLY SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT INTO A VEHICLE.THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON A GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN STATING THAT WITH CERTAIN CHILD SAFETY SEATS THE WEBBING MAY NOT REMAIN LOCKED.THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS IN THE ODI DATABASE AND ONLY TWO COMPLAINTS TO GM.GM'S INSTRUCTIONS STATE FOR THE FINAL STEP IN USING THE WEBBING LOCK FEATURE TO PUSH AND PULL THE CHILD RESTRAINT TO BE SURE IT IS SECURE. IF THE ALR IS NOT LOCKED, THE USER WOULD BE FULLY AWARE OF THIS CONDITION PRIOR TO...

EA02015 Opened 1 Aug 2002 Closed 12 Jan 2004 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN OPERATOR MAY APPLY ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE TO INCREASE ENGINE SPEED.THE APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE, TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE, MAY OPEN THE THROTTLE VALVE MORE THAN INTENDED AND, IN TURN, ACCELERATE THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MORE THAN INTENDED AND R...

Recalls on the 2001 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.

United States — NHTSA

07E106000

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

05V379000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

03V094000

STRUCTURE

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Risk: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

02V253000

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.

Risk: IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

01V159000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WITH REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, THE CRACK COULD SPREAD TO THE POINT SUCH THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER LOCK.

Risk: IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.

00V343000

STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE OR MISSING REAR WHEELHOUSE PLUGS. UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, EXHAUST GASES CAN FLOW FORWARD AND ACCUMULATE IN THE REAR WHEELHOUSE.

Risk: THESE GASES COULD FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF THE PLUG IS MISSING OR LOOSE AND COULD CAUSE POSSIBLE ILLNESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, OR DEATH.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2004395 158,474 units in Canada

Brakes

Certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador may experience unwanted Antilock Brake System (ABS) activation and increased stopping distances during low-speed brake application (less than 16 km/h and greater than 6 km/h). This condition does not set any ABS codes nor does it illuminate the ABS warning lamp. Correction: Dealers will remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply Zinc-X to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications.

Recall 2002166 17,569 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles equipped with rearward folding head restraints on the second row seats. Two potential pinch points exist on each of the folding head restraints when the head restraint(s) are folded rearward as the seatback is folded down. If a person were to insert their finger(s) into the pinch point when the head restraint folds, it could trap and pinch the finger(s) causing injury. Correction: Dealers will install protective covers over the pinch points.

Recall 2002068 63,049 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 209, seat belt assemblies. These vehicles have a condition where one or two sensors in the driver's and front seat passengers seat belt retractors may be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as during heavy braking, may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant. Correction update: None required as no effect on vehicle safety. See recall 04-158.

Recall 2001135 685 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles have an internal component in the 2nd and 3rd row outboard seat belt retractor that could be cracked. With repeated actuation of the locking mechanism, the crack could spread to the point where the seat belt would no longer lock. In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition. Correction: Dealers will inspect the outboard seat belts for specific lot numbers and replace the belts if necessary. GM is enclosing an inspection procedure for the owners to use or they can have their dealers do the inspections.

Recall 2000269 1,804 units in Canada

Structure

Certain vehicles may have loose or missing rear wheelhouse plugs. Under certain operating conditions, exhaust gases can flow forward and accumulate in the rear wheelhouse. These exhaust gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the wheelhouse plug is missing or loose and may cause possible illness, unconsciousness or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs, and install new plugs if necessary.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Charlotte, MI Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Passenger side rear air conditioning blower motor caught on fire and burned vehicle out completely. Fire trucks called to put out fire but is completely burned out. My safety was at risk flames in back by the time I got stopped on highway. Thankful no one was riding in back seat. First issue I had with it and it torched the vehicle. No warnings on dash. Vehicle is waiting to be inspected by insurance adjuster.

NHTSA complaint #11671373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX Fire

SEATS

MY PASSENGER SEAT COT ON FIRE. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AS MY SELF HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING TO MY THE CAR I OPENED MY PASSANGER DOOR I GOT IN AND ADJUSTED MY PASSANGER SEAT FOR COMFORT AND MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING THE GIFT AND KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELLED SMOKE.I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I STARTED TO LOOK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND LOOKED UNDER MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS SPARKING I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY WHOLE PASSANGER SIDE BURNED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT COT FIRE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING HE SAID. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE HAD NOT STARTED IT THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADJUST MY SEAT AND AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IN AND KIDS THO GET BUCKLED I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND MY SET GOT HOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11055169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX Fire

SEAT BELTS

MY PASSENGER SEAT COT ON FIRE. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AS MY SELF HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING TO MY THE CAR I OPENED MY PASSANGER DOOR I GOT IN AND ADJUSTED MY PASSANGER SEAT FOR COMFORT AND MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING THE GIFT AND KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELLED SMOKE.I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I STARTED TO LOOK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND LOOKED UNDER MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS SPARKING I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY WHOLE PASSANGER SIDE BURNED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT COT FIRE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING HE SAID. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE HAD NOT STARTED IT THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADJUST MY SEAT AND AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IN AND KIDS THO GET BUCKLED I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND MY SET GOT HOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11055169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY PASSENGER SEAT COT ON FIRE. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AS MY SELF HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING TO MY THE CAR I OPENED MY PASSANGER DOOR I GOT IN AND ADJUSTED MY PASSANGER SEAT FOR COMFORT AND MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING THE GIFT AND KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELLED SMOKE.I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I STARTED TO LOOK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND LOOKED UNDER MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS SPARKING I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY WHOLE PASSANGER SIDE BURNED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT COT FIRE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING HE SAID. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE HAD NOT STARTED IT THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADJUST MY SEAT AND AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IN AND KIDS THO GET BUCKLED I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND MY SET GOT HOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11055169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Portsmouth, OH Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

MY DAUGHTER WAS RUNNING LESS THAN 35 MPH THROUGH TOWN WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED LEADING TO ME REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UPON INSPECTION BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE LEAKING FLUID DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME AND HAVE BEEN UN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10889279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,000 miles Portsmouth, OH Crash

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY DAUGHTER WAS RUNNING LESS THAN 35 MPH THROUGH TOWN WENT TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED LEADING TO ME REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. UPON INSPECTION BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE LEAKING FLUID DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED HOME AND HAVE BEEN UN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10889279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Charlotte, MI Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Passenger side rear air conditioning blower motor caught on fire and burned vehicle out completely. Fire trucks called to put out fire but is completely burned out. My safety was at risk flames in back by the time I got stopped on highway. Thankful no one was riding in back seat. First issue I had with it and it torched the vehicle. No warnings on dash. Vehicle is waiting to be inspected by insurance adjuster.

NHTSA complaint #11671373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,632 miles Edgewater, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle pulled to the left very hard, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The ABS and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the EBCM motor relay circuit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,632.

NHTSA complaint #11654808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cabot, AR

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My 2001 Chevy Tahoe has been stolen an I been trying to get it back but I can’t bc I left the title in the Tahoe

NHTSA complaint #11606046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Casa Grande, AZ

TIRES

I bought Achilles desert hawk uhp 285/50/R20 tires in late 2019 from Walmart . and had them mounted in 2020 from discount tire. Within 10 months of tires being mounted I had a vibration and it was getting worse every day so I started looking at it and found I had a separated tire on the driver's side front. I put my spare on and contacted Walmart which told me sorry for your luck and there is nothing they can or will do.so I contacted discount and they said to contact Achilles tire. I did and never heard back from them. I then forgot about it until roughly 5 months ago when passenger tire was separated. Then 3 days ago the passanger rear separated and now today the driver's rear has separated. I understand 1 tire possibly 2, but to have all 4 tires separate in less than 2 years and in under 10,000 miles is mind blowing to me..I have all the tires and I filed a complaint with Walmart and Achilles after the 2nd one. I honestly don't think it's discount tires responsibly. I only had them install tires because walmart would make excuse after excuse and I got fed up with it. There should be some sort of liability to the manufacturer and to Walmart. I am asking you if it's possible to look into this. 4 tires separate in 2 years you ée⁷⁷e77⁷e⁷

NHTSA complaint #11469724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eureka, CA

POWER TRAIN

Bad transmission there's reverse but no forward gears

NHTSA complaint #11425045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ranchos de Taos, NM

SERVICE BRAKES

In the past I have sent several emails to Chevrolet corporate office re the ABS brake system on my Tahoe which first failed with only 130 miles on the vehicle. Vehicle almost tipped over but I recovered the braking system and stopped vehicle only inches from going off a cliff and into the ravine below. I love my Tahoe which now has 109000+ miles on it but the ABS brake system has never worked and on several occasions almost wiped out myself and a passenger because brakes failed to engage. I filed several complaints with the Chevrolet dealer in Austin, TX where I bought my Tahoe and also here in Taos, NM where I currently live. Recently I had the Chevrolet dealer here in Taos run a diagnostic on my ABS brakes. Result was that the brake system was defective and would cost $2000 to repair! I feel Chevrolet should pay for the repair since my Tahoe was delivered from the factory with defective ABS brakes. As it is, my Tahoe cannot be resold since the system as is could kill anyone in this vehicle if they did not know how to recover when pedal is all the way to the floor and vehicle is picking up speed rather than slowing down. Certainly even I could hit an elk standing in middle of highway because I would not be able to recover brake system in time.

NHTSA complaint #11424146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Clearwater, KS

SERVICE BRAKES

EMERGENCY BRAKE WEARS ITSELF WITHOUT BEING ENGAGED TO THE POINT WHEN YOU NEED IT, IT DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #11324214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Decatur, AL

SEAT BELTS

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP AND CAN'T BE ADJUSTED. IT CONTINUES TO GET TIGHTER AFTER FASTENING AND ALLOWS FOR NO MOVEMENT. IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY MOVEMENT. IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE ORIGINAL PURCHASE IN 2001. I HAVE BROUGHT TO ATTENTION OF CHEVY DEALERSHIP. ANSWER ALWAYS BEING THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #11202784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

WHEELS

WAS DRIVING TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOR HOOD . WHEN I MADE A TURN ONTO A STREET THE TRUCK DROPPED TO RIGHT SIDE AND THE TIRE AND AXLE ROLLED INTO ANOTHER CAR. TURNING 5 MILE HR

NHTSA complaint #11128823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

SUSPENSION

WAS DRIVING TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOR HOOD . WHEN I MADE A TURN ONTO A STREET THE TRUCK DROPPED TO RIGHT SIDE AND THE TIRE AND AXLE ROLLED INTO ANOTHER CAR. TURNING 5 MILE HR

NHTSA complaint #11128823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Delmont, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

REAR STEEL BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR & HAD TO PUMP BRAKES. HAD TO TURN OFF TO BERM OF ROAD TO KEEP FROM HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED AND THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED ALL BRAKE LINES BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE RUST. I HAD ALL THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED FOR OVER $600 DOLLARS. THE TAHOE HAS ONLY 41000 MILES ON IT AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS ALL OF A SUDDEN & IT TAKE A FEW SECONDS BEFORE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO, TAKING MUCH LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP. THEY NEED TO RECALL THESE BRAKES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE MORE ACCIDENTS HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #11092124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 208,586 miles Chesterfield, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TWO RUSTED BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO MASTER DISTRIBUTION BLOCK UNDER THE TRUCK CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AT 50 MPH AND RAN THRU A 4 WAY STOP INTERSECTION IN A RURAL AREA, THANK YOU JESUS I'M ALIVE, LOT'S OF RUST ON THE LOWER ROCKERS ETC. ON BOTH SIDES

NHTSA complaint #11084874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 208,586 miles Chesterfield, VA

SERVICE BRAKES

TWO RUSTED BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO MASTER DISTRIBUTION BLOCK UNDER THE TRUCK CAUSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR AT 50 MPH AND RAN THRU A 4 WAY STOP INTERSECTION IN A RURAL AREA, THANK YOU JESUS I'M ALIVE, LOT'S OF RUST ON THE LOWER ROCKERS ETC. ON BOTH SIDES

NHTSA complaint #11084874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

St.louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES

MY ABS LIGHT IN ON AND WHEN I PUSH DOWN ON IT MAKES NOISE PLUS IT PUSH BACK A LITTLE

NHTSA complaint #11056006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX Fire

SEATS

MY PASSENGER SEAT COT ON FIRE. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AS MY SELF HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING TO MY THE CAR I OPENED MY PASSANGER DOOR I GOT IN AND ADJUSTED MY PASSANGER SEAT FOR COMFORT AND MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING THE GIFT AND KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELLED SMOKE.I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I STARTED TO LOOK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND LOOKED UNDER MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS SPARKING I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY WHOLE PASSANGER SIDE BURNED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT COT FIRE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING HE SAID. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE HAD NOT STARTED IT THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADJUST MY SEAT AND AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IN AND KIDS THO GET BUCKLED I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND MY SET GOT HOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11055169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX Fire

SEAT BELTS

MY PASSENGER SEAT COT ON FIRE. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AS MY SELF HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING TO MY THE CAR I OPENED MY PASSANGER DOOR I GOT IN AND ADJUSTED MY PASSANGER SEAT FOR COMFORT AND MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING THE GIFT AND KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELLED SMOKE.I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I STARTED TO LOOK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND LOOKED UNDER MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS SPARKING I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY WHOLE PASSANGER SIDE BURNED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT COT FIRE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING HE SAID. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE HAD NOT STARTED IT THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADJUST MY SEAT AND AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IN AND KIDS THO GET BUCKLED I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND MY SET GOT HOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11055169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lubbock, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY PASSENGER SEAT COT ON FIRE. MY TRUCK WAS PARKED IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AS MY SELF HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN CAME OUT FROM SHOPPING TO MY THE CAR I OPENED MY PASSANGER DOOR I GOT IN AND ADJUSTED MY PASSANGER SEAT FOR COMFORT AND MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING THE GIFT AND KIDS IN THE TRUCK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I SMELLED SMOKE.I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I STARTED TO LOOK WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AND LOOKED UNDER MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT THERE WAS A BLACK BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT WAS SPARKING I CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT MY WHOLE PASSANGER SIDE BURNED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR BOX UNDER THE SEAT THAT COT FIRE BAD ELECTRICAL WIRING HE SAID. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE HAD NOT STARTED IT THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADJUST MY SEAT AND AS I WAS WAITING FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IN AND KIDS THO GET BUCKLED I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING AND MY SET GOT HOT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA complaint #11055169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 160,000 miles Eagle River, AK

SERVICE BRAKES

THE STEEL BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE REAR BRAKES HAS CORRODED AND IS LEAKING FROM ABOVE THE STEEL FRAME FORWARD FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED AS I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AFTER DRIVING OVER 150 MILES ROUND TRIP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IN CITY TRAFFIC. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTERIOUS, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE IF THE LINE WOULD HAVE FAILED DURING THE TRIP! AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS BRAKE LINE FAILURE LOOKS LIKE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM!

NHTSA complaint #11033882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 220,000 miles Jonesboro, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ERROR MESSAGE POP UPS C01960. MY ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT POPS UP WHILE I'M DRIVING ALMOST DAILY NOW. MY BRAKES FEELS AS IF THEIR SLIPPING WHEN I TRY TO DIRECTLY STOP OR TURN LEFT. IT SCARES ME BECAUSE MY BRAKES SYSTEM SEEMS TO FEEL LIKE THEIR LOCKED OR AS IF I'M SLIDING ON ICE AND CANNOT STOP. THIS IS WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WILL APPEAR LIT AT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA complaint #11010068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 205,000 miles Fairfield, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

METAL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND CORRODED. LINES PLACED IN AN AREA OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THEY WILL RUST AND CORRODE THEN CAUSING THEM TO BURST AT VERY UN-OPPORTUNE MOMENTS. CAUSING WRECKAGE. MY VEHICLE LOST ITS BRAKES ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME CAME TO A STOP TO TURN OFF THE HIGHWAY, WAITING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE TO CLEAR. I STARTED BRAKING AND LOST MY BRAKES, SO I TOOK THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I GOT MYSELF HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11003703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING WHEN IN USE.

NHTSA complaint #10985608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles SAN Jose, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING WHEN IN USE.

NHTSA complaint #10985608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles ELK City, OK

SERVICE BRAKES

ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE JERKING AND MAKE A NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #10980202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Logan - Cache, UT

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS LOW SPEED ACTIVATION. ANY TIME COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING THE ABS WILL ACTIVATE AT LOW SPEEDS AROUND AND UNDER 10MPH. VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS TO HAVE YOUR BRAKES LOCKING UP WHEN SIMPLY TRYING TO COME TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10955492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 170,000 miles Richfield, MN

SERVICE BRAKES

LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS, AND JUST LOST THE BRAKES ON MY 2001 CHEV TAHOE LT THIS WEEK. HAD BEEN GOING DOWN I-494 AT 65 MPH MINUTES BEFORE THIS. FOUR BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD, SNOWY AND ICY, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN TO MY SIDE STREET, AND THE CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. HIT THE BRAKES, THE ABS ACTIVATED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VIRTUALLY NO BRAKES, BUT I MANAGED TO COMPLETE THE TURN WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING, AND LIMP IT HOME. IN THE GARAGE NOW GETTING FIXED, ESTIMATED $500 - $1,000. WITH SOME GOOGLING AND TALKING TO 4 GARAGES, IT SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. AMAZING TO ME THAT GM HAS NOT BEEN FORCED INTO A RECALL OVER THIS. THIS COULD BE FATAL, IF IT HASN'T BEEN ALREADY.

NHTSA complaint #10927831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.