FaultScore

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems

214 of the 548 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe are about the electrical system — 39% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 68,000 miles.

F

214

Complaints

1

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Instrument Cluster/Panel 124 57.9%
Electrical System 84 39.3%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 0.9%
Front Underhood 1 0.5%
Horn 1 0.5%
Wiring 1 0.5%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 0.5%

Electrical System across every Chevrolet Tahoe year

1995 37 2.5%
1996 36 2.4%
1997 23 1.5%
1998 21 1.4%
1999 50 3.3%
2000 11 0.7%
2001 21 1.4%
2002 31 2.1%
2003 193 12.9%
2004 214 14.3%
2005 128 8.5%
2006 24 1.6%
2007 146 9.7%
2008 88 5.9%
2009 33 2.2%
2010 16 1.1%
2011 17 1.1%
2012 13 0.9%
2013 16 1.1%
2014 15 1.0%
2015 135 9.0%
2016 31 2.1%
2017 20 1.3%
2018 13 0.9%
2019 17 1.1%
2020 11 0.7%
2021 56 3.7%
2022 35 2.3%
2023 37 2.5%
2024 12 0.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 230,000 miles Menifee, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE IS A RECALL #04004. "BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE" BUT MY VIN# IS NOT ON THE LIST. OVER 64,000 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED AND THERE IS A "#1" ON THE MOUNTING SURFACE. ALL OF THE UNITS DETECTED A MACHINING ERROR IN THE RELIEF BORE CAVITY FOR MODULES PRODUCED FROM A MACHINE IDENTIFIED AS "FADAL #1" THIS CAN AND HAS CAUSED MY 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE TO HAVE NO POWER ASSIST WITH MY STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES. I HAVE FOUND MYSELF HOLDING TWO FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A RED LIGHT. AND CAN NOT OPERATE IN SMALL SPACES SUCH AS PARKING GARAGES AND CERTAIN PARKING STALLS. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING MORE THAT I CAN DO IN REGARDS TO THIS PARTICULAR RECALL AND FIND OUT IF THERE IS SOME MISTAKE AS FAR AS MY VIN# NOT BEING RECOGNIZED BUT YET EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY VEHICLE HAS BECOME INOPERABLE FOR THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE NO POWER ASSIST AND COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT...I WANT TO SEE ABOUT RECEIVING SOME AID IN ALL THIS. THIS HAS BEEN A ISSUE SINCE AUGUST OF 2019. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE WORK FOR A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION. MY CREDIT HAS FALLEN BEHIND BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK AND SPENDING MY SAVINGS ON TRYING TO GUESS AT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. FOR IT IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. NOW THAT THE COVID-19 IS HERE IS A DOUBLE WHAMY! IN DIRE STRAITS - CALI LOVIN MY 4X4 - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11327456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Port Arthur, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE MAIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FULL OF CONDENSATE AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WOULD JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOOK MULTIPLE TRIPS TO THE MECHANIC SHOP FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE AND CORRECT THE ISSUE. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS MANY TAHOE OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA complaint #11252648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 183,000 miles RED OAK, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA complaint #11093804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 226,000 miles Anniston, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LEAVING MY DRIVE ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD LIT UP FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN WENT OFF. A FEW MILES LATER DID THE SAME THING THEN ALL THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. NEXT TIME I STARTED IT UP THE GAUGES WOULD NOT WORK ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD ALL THE LIGHTS ON DASH CAME ON AND THEN GAUGES WOULD START WORKING. SOMETIMES MY BATTERY WILL BE DEAD WHEN I GO OUT IN THE MORNINGS. THE DRIVER SEAT HEAT COMES ON AND OFF WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. IF IT'S COLD OUTSIDE THE RADIO WILL NOT WORK UNTIL THE CAR HAS BEEN WARMED UP FOR A WHILE.

NHTSA complaint #10944661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ftmyers, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING I HAD A REAL BAD CLUNKING NOISE IN MY STEERING WHEEL.I TOOK IT TO THE VICTORY LAYNE CHEVY DEALER AND SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND COLUMN BEARING REPLACED BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING IT. NOW MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUEL GUAGE IS DEFECTIVE,THE ABS LIGHT& PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON WITH THE KEY ON OR AT ALL AND THERE ARE NO CODES FROM THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10876299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles Long Beach, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA complaint #10818479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Port Orchard, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER IT SOMETIMES BLOWS VERY HOT AIR. NOW THAT IT IS COLD OUT WHEN USING THE HEATER IT SOMETIMES BLOWS ICE COLD AIR. IF THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO STOP, TURN OFF MY VEHICLE, THEN WHEN I RESTART THE VEHICLE IT DOES THE RIGHT THING. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO DO THIS MORE THEN ONCE TO GET IT TO WORK. I GOT A RECALL NOTICE A WHILE BACK BUT THE DEALER SAID IT IS ONLY FOR WHEN IT SMELLS LIKE SMOKE. GUESS THEY WANT ME TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE BEFORE THEY WILL FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10789527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Whittier, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY ELECTRICAL GAUGES ALL WENT CRAZY AND THEN QUIT ONE BY ONE. I HAVE ONLY 2 LEFT THAT WORK. MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF AND INTERMITTENT DOES NOT WORK ON THEM. MY HUB ON FRONT TIRES KEEP NEEDING REPLACED. THEY COME LOSE TO POINT OF TIRE NEARLY FALLING OFF. MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER TURNED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10778006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,476 miles Roanoke, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON AN EXIT RAMP GETTING READY TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP. TURNED THE KEY REPEATEDLY, AND THOUGH THE RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS CAME ON THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I HAD THE TAHOE IN "PARK" MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. NOTHING. SHIFTED IT TO NEUTRAL AND TRIED: NOTHING. MOVD THE COLUMN UP AND DOWN: NOTHING. POUNDED ON THE COLUMN: AMEN IT STARTED. DROVE TO MECHANIC: COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NO DATA IN COMPUTER INDICATING ANY PROBLEM. 6 WEEKS GO BY AND TAHOE WILL NOT START IN MY DRIVEWAY. GO THOUGH THE SAME LITANY AGAIN. FINALLY STARTED. MY WIFE TAKES MY TAHOE TO LOWE'S IN JANUARY CAR WILL NOT START. SHE TRIED SO MANY TIMES SHE DRAINED THE BATTERY. I HOOKED UP THE JUMPER CABLES AND IT STARTED IMMEDIATELY. I TAKE IT TO MECHANIC AND HE "THINKS" IT'S PART OF THE IGNITION MODULE, BUT DOESN'T KNOW FOR SURE. THE PART ALONE IS $250. I DECLINE TO SPEND MONEY ON A MAYBE. THEN FOR 4 MONTHS NO PROBLEMS. MAY 31ST 2015, TAHOE WILL NOT START. IT STARTED FINE MAY 29TH. NOT ONLY WOULD IT NOT START, BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. RADIO WAS OUT OF SEQUENCE BY 8 HOURS. CHARGED THE BATTERY AND TAHOE STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD A FRIEND WHO IS A MECHANIC COME OVER TO LOOK AT IT AND HERE'S THE PART THE REALLY TICKS ME OFF. I GET IN AND WITHOUT ANY FUSS THE DARN THING STARTED, TURNED IT OFF AND IT STARTED, DID THIS 20 TIMES, IT STARTED EVERY TIME. I WOULD CONCLUDE THAT IT WAS THE STARTER, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT TWO TIMES IT SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. WE OWN THREE TAHOE'S. 2002, 2003, AND 2004. I DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2002, AND 2003 TAHOE'S. IS THIS AN IGNITION PROBLEM OTHER'S HAVE EXPERIENCED. DOES IT HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO THE OTHER CHEVROLET IGNITION PROBLEMS. I HAVE TWO YOUNG SON'S AND WILL NOT DRIVE THIS TAHOE, WITH THEM IN IT.

NHTSA complaint #10764484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sequim, WA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STARTED MY VEHICLE AND LET IT WARM UP. NO ISSUES.. AFTER WAITING 5 MIN I DROVE AWAY FROM MY HOUSE AND WITHIN 1 MINUTE OF DRIVING( COULD OF BEEN LESS), ALL OF MY DASH LIGHTS FLASHED/GLITCHED,AND MY GAUGE NEEDLES GO ALL THE WAY DOWN,I LOSE ACCURACY OF SPEED, FUEL,TEMPS,ETC. MY INDICATOR( WHERE IT SHOWS MILEAGE) RESET TO "DRIVER 1" . SAME THING HAPPENS EVERYTIME, AND ITS ALWAYS RANDOM, EXCEPT THE LAST 2 DAYS. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED, LAST YEAR AND A CARFAX WAS DONE AND I JUST DID A VIN SEARCH AND NOTHING STATES THIS VEHICLE WAS EITHER RECALLED OR WAS THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY FIXED WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10746820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,569 miles Alpharetta, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

DRIVING ALONG ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTS GOING CRAZY SAYS I AM GOING 120MPH IT STILL DOING IT AUTO NATION IN ROSWELL GA WANTS $ 600 THEIR IS A RECALL BUT SAYS MY TRUCK IS TOO OLD BUT HAS THE RIGHT MILEAGE .

NHTSA complaint #10655111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 247,607 miles Newbury Park, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING SLOW DOWN A BLOCK AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL FIRE SMOKE. THE SMOKE GOT WORSE AND DARKER AND IT WAS COMING UP FROM UNDER MY LEGS (I WAS DRIVING). I PULLED OVER, PUT MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS ON AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. HAD A HARD TIME GETTING MY SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED, BUT FINALLY GOT IT OFF AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. THE SMOKE GOT REALLY BAD AND VERY RAPIDLY THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY BROTHER WAS WITH ME, HE WAS OUT OF THE CAR AS WELL, AND HE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CAR WAS TOWED. IF I HADN'T GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR AS FAST AS I DID I WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10641726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Lafayette Hill, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE REGISTERED "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER, ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWED NUMEROUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR AND THE WIRES CRIMPING, THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE WIRING HARNESS BEING COVERED BY GM BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR ON A RECALL LIST.

NHTSA complaint #10638654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,970 miles REX, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE.

NHTSA complaint #10633818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Cordova, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DASH FOR THE PAST YEAR WILL WORK FOR A MONTH OR TWO, THEN GO OUT FOR A MONTH OR TWO. I CAN NOT READ ANY OF MY DASH GAUGES. I CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE ETC. I HAVE READ WHERE NUMEROUS OTHER TAHOE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS VERY ANNOYING AND NOT SAFE FOR MY TEENAGE SON TO DRIVE. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS HAVE BEEN FILED, CAN WE GET A RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #10628922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 206,530 miles Hermann, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATED 30 MPH, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING SLOWER. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 10 MPH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE, BUT THE FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE, AND RPM GAUGE WOULD MALFUNCTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,530.

NHTSA complaint #10626392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Raleigh, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS, FREQUENT, AND PERSISTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE APPROXIMATE DATE GIVEN WAS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING WHERE IT BLEW ONLY HOT AIR. TWO "REPAIRS" AT THE DEALER AND TWO SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS FINALLY REVEALED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE REAL SAFETY ISSUES THAT CONTINUE ARE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT HAS AT TIMES AFFECTED THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER (CONTINUOUS PROBLEM), OIL PRESSURE GAUGE (CONTINUOUS PROBLEM), AND NO DASH LIGHTS AT NIGHT. COMPUTER ANALYSES AND RESETS HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE, AS EVIDENCED BY TESTIMONIALS ON FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS. THE DANGER IN THIS IS LIGHTS GOING OUT TO A BLANK DASH AT NIGHT, ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT FROM THE LACK OF A FUNCTIONING OIL GAUGE, AND INACCURATE OR NO SPEED READINGS. SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE CONTROL PANEL SYSTEM AT THE LEAST. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #10615677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greensboro, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

MY SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. BEFOREHAND THE OIL GAUGE QUIT WORKING. ONLY WHEN ITS HOT OUTSIDE OR I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR APPROX 30 MINS, THE SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING. I HAVE BEEN THE SOUL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE SINCE I BOUGHT IT OFF THE LOT IN 2004. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS.

NHTSA complaint #10598755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,000 miles Green BAY, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VOLTMETER DOES NOT READ AND NEEDLE IS STUCK BELOW THE GAUGE AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER IS STARTING TO GO OUT, THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HOWEVER WE COULD NOT TAKE IT IN UNTIL IT SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE ACCORD NOW WITH 142,000 WHICH IS OVER THE 80,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE BEST GM HAS OFFERED TO DO FOR ME IS TAKE $58.00 OFF A $475.00 REPAIR. I HAVE TALKED TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT JUST PAYING FOR THE LABOR IF THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART BUT NOPE. I JUST MOVED TO THE AREA AND DO NOT HAVE A SERVICE RECORD WITH A DEALER HOWEVER I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT ONLY GM DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND THE OTHER DEALERSHIP I USE TO GO TO IN MY OTHER STATE OFFERED TO BASICALLY REPLACE THE PART WITH MYSELF PAYING THE LABOR HOWEVER I LIVE OVER 700 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DONE. IF THAT CAN BE DONE THERE WHY CAN'T THE DEALERSHIP OFFER THE SAME WHERE I AM NOW? I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN GOOD FAITH AND ONLY HAVE PURCHASED CHEVROLET PRODUCTS MY ENTIRE LIFE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM CANNOT HELP ME OUT, THEY KNOW THIS PART IS FAULTY, PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

NHTSA complaint #10588694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Fair Oaks, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST SHE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA complaint #10573759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,071 miles Moultrie, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE CAUGHT ON FIRE BURNING TO THE GROUND. THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT THE FIRE STARTED DUE TO FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT OR A HEAT SOURCE AND THAT THERE WERE NO HUMAN FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE FIRE.WHILE LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON THAT HAS ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE.

NHTSA complaint #10568882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,855 miles Kenesaw, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SPEEDOMETER IS READING ERRATICALLY. WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OF IT DOES NOT GO TO ZERO AND WHEN DRIVING SOMETIMES IT READS FASTER THAN ACTUAL SPEED AND SOMETIMES LOWER.

NHTSA complaint #10560667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,342 miles Mountain Grove, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS TRAVELING DOWN HWY 60 IN SOUTHWEST MISSOURI AND THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO ABOUT 4-5 MILES PER HOUR AND I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I CRAWLED TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE I BARELY MADE IT UP THE INCLINE AND INTO A GAS STATION. WE CHECKED THE GAS, OIL, BATTERY, ETC. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN I STARTED IT UP AGAIN, IT SEEMED FINE. I CONTINUED HOME. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT IT ALL CHECKED OUT PERFECTLY AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 12-15 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE TELLS ME THAT THE COMPUTER IS NOT "THROWING CODES" AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THIS IS NOT A FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. THE MOST RECENT "EPISODE" WAS LAST NIGHT. WE TOOK THE BOAT DOWN TO THE RIVER TO GO GIGGING AT NIGHT. WHEN I WENT TO PULL THE TRAILER UP THE BOAT RAMP AND PARK THE VEHICLE, THE "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND I COULD NOT PULL UP THE HILL. EVERY TIME I ATTEMPTED IT, THE LIGHT CAME ON AND I ACTUALLY WENT BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE RIVER!! MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE AND I WAS SCARED WE WOULD BE TRAPPED IT SOMETHING FURTHER MALFUNCTIONED AND WE ROLLED BACK INTO THE DEEP COLD WATER!!! FROM WHAT I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A PROBLEM THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH! I AM NOT THE FIRST OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE BEAUTIFUL BOYS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS. I CANNOT PUT THEM IN A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION. SO OUR ONLY VEHICLE SITS AND WAITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY LEAVING ME STRANDED A LOT UNTIL GM CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION ON THEIR DIME. THIS ISN'T FAIR THAT A PROBLEM IS KNOW AND NO ONE AT GM WILL FIX IT. PLEASE HELP FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES!

NHTSA complaint #10559516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Mesquite, NV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

FIRST PROBLEM IS THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPS AND STARTS WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOU'RE GOING. CHEVY SAID THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD ONLY FIX IT UP TO 80,000 MILES. NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF RECALL DOSE THAT. SECOND PROBLEM IS WHEN I GOT A FLAT TIRE, I NOR THE AUTO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE MAN COULD GET THE SPARE TIRE DOWN. THE CAR STRANDED UNTIL I TOOK THE ENTIRE WHEEL OFF THE CAR AND TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO GET FIXED AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO RE-INSTALL IT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN THE ONLY PLACE THAT CAN ACTUALLY GET IT TO UNLATCH AND ADMITS IT A BAD DESIGN. I'M ALWAYS APPREHENSIVE ABOUT GETTING A FLAT AND BEING STRANDED.

NHTSA complaint #10534757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,005 miles Spring Grove, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED 120 MPH, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STILL REGISTERING 50 MPH. SINCE THAT TIME THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS VARIOUS SPEEDS, FROM 140 TO 0 I AM NOT SURE WHAT SPEED I AM ACTUALLY GOING, I CAN BE PARKED WITH THE SPEEDOMETER ON 140 OR DRIVING WITH THE SPEEDOMETER ON 0.

NHTSA complaint #10523708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Union, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ENGAGING IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE ON ITS ON FOR OVER A YEAR EVEN WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM SEEN IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND VERY COSTLY TO FIX. WAS TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL IT BECOMES MORE PROBLEMATIC TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE COST. NOW THE LIGHT DOES NOT SHOW ON THE PANEL TO SHOW IF IT IS IN 2 OR 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10523206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Watertown, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHETHER ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V248000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA complaint #10520499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Littleton, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING ON E-470 WESTBOUND NEAR QUEBEC WHEN THE CAR SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY. NO POWER. THE CAR THEN WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A COMPUTER CHECK. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP, AFTER A WEEK, WHEN I WAS HAVING IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC FOR THE REPAIR, I DECIDED TO TRY TO START IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I DROVE IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO CHECKED THE FUEL PUMP AND SAID IT WAS FINE. THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED. SAME WITH ANOTHER MECHANIC. SINCE THEN (I HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AT THAT POINT) THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR MORE TIMES, THE LATEST ON MAY 9TH. AGAIN IT'S BEEN TOWED AND AGAIN I AM TRYING TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION. I AM NOW FINDING OUT THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AND CUTS OFF FUEL TO THE PUMP BECAUSE THE CAR THINKS IT IS BEING STOLEN. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED IT HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM IN MANY GMC MODELS OVER MANY YEARS. SOMETIMES THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM CAN BE RESET (THOUGH THAT HAS NEVER WORKED FOR ME). THE ONLY WAY TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO DISABLE THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THESE SYSTEMS SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THESE CARS. I WOULD RATHER MY CAR BE STOLEN THEN SHUT DOWN AT 65 MPH OR WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING HOME FROM DOWNTOWN DENVER AT 10:30 AT NIGHT THROUGH NOT SO GREAT PARTS OF TOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10513072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Cibolo, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

LAST OCTOBER, WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVY TAHOE LT, THE TACHOMETER ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AFTER AN ACCELERATION EVENT AND NEVER FUNCTIONED AGAIN. SINCE IT WAS THE TACHOMETER ELEMENT, IT DID NOT RAISE ANY SIGNIFICANT CONCERN, ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT. HOWEVER, ON 3/15/2013, THE ANALOG OIL PRESSURE GAUGE NEEDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT ( INDICATING FAILURE, I ASSUME) AND THEN ON 3/30/2013, THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO FUNCTION ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS AND CONTINUES TO DO SO. AFTER READING SOME OF THE 341 COMPLAINTS ON LINE, I CANNOT BELIEVE GM GETS A PASS ON A CRITICAL SAFETY/LEGAL COMPONENT LIKE THE CLUSTER GROUP AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. IN GENERAL, WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THE NHTSA HAVE IN COERCING AUTO MANUFACTURERS TO ISSUE RECALLS IN THE U.S.?

NHTSA complaint #10505517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 198,502 miles Gainesville, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED OVER A PERIOD OF 2-3 DAYS, THEN STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS A CAMPAIGN. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS CAMPAIGN HAS LONG EXPIRED. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER CANNOT TELL HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10495013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

← Full 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe report