FaultScore

2005 Chevrolet Tahoe engine problems

20 of the 381 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe are about the engine — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 118,500 miles.

B

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 13 65.0%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 4 20.0%
Engine 1 5.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 1 5.0%
Cooling System 1 5.0%

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 200,000 miles Santa Clarita, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS, WHICH RESULTED IN A BURNING ODOR. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER IN THE OIL WHEN CHECKING THE DIPSTICK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11181444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 221,648 miles Detroit, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 221,648.

NHTSA complaint #10957916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Spring, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #10939203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,995 miles Mchenry, IL

ENGINE

I HEARD A TICKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, UPON INVESTIGATION OF WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM, FOUND A EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT MISSING. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THESE TYPE VEHICLES

NHTSA complaint #10763969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Minot, ND

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATOR INCREASED DISPLAYING THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH CYLINDER HEADS IN THE ENGINE HAD CRACKED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. ..UPDATED 10/21/15*BF UPDATED 3/21/16*JS

NHTSA complaint #10763055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lineville, AL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMISSION CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10745344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,000 miles Chicago, IL

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TO A FAMILY FUNCTION THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. THE PRESSURE GAUGE THEN STARTED CHANGING FROM 0-80 CONTINOUSLY. AFTER GOOGLE SEARCH I FOUND THAT I SHOULD PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE CHECKED THE OIL AND IT HAD THE RIGH AMOUNT OF OIL AND HE STATED THAT THE OIL LOOKED GOOD. I TAKE MY TRUCK REGULARLY FOR OIL CHANGES AND MY LAST ONE WAS MAY 1. 2015. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT MAY BE THE OIL PUMP SO WE REPLACED IT. THE COST FOR THE SERVICE WAS $200. IT IS NOW ONLY A FEW DAYS LATER AND THE OIL PRESSURE GAIGE IS STILL GOING FROM 0-80.

NHTSA complaint #10735799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Antelope, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10732765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,441 miles Davenport, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY TRUCK READ "REDUCED ENGINE POWER", LUCKILY I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB! TODAY I'M IN A WHOLE OTHER CITY AND IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN SO I'M STRANDED!

NHTSA complaint #10702486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #10653897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,000 miles Clovis, CA

ENGINE

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY TAHOE WITH 5.3 LITER ENGINE. THE MOTOR HAS CONSUMED 2 QUARTS OIL SINCE ITS LAST OIL CHANGE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 83000 MILES. IT IS SERVICED REGULARLY. CHEVROLET IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT IMMEDIATELY. I AM TOLD BY MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THAT IT HAS REPAIRED NUMEROUS VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE COST TO REPAIR IS BETWEEN 300 AND 3000 DOLLARS. IT MIGHT NEED NEW PISTONS AND RINGS BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY INEXPENSIVE PART. EPIC FAIL BY CHEVY NOT TO ALERT THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10637561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Corona, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SHEARED OFF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BOLTS HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT IN ORDER TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE DEALERS EXPLANATION WAS AN ALUMINUM HEAD VERSUS A CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD VERSUS CASE HARDENED BOLTS ALL EXPANDED AND CONTRACTED TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSE A POOR DESIGN. UPDATED 08/18/14

NHTSA complaint #10609626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Corona, CA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SHEARED OFF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BOLTS HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT IN ORDER TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE DEALERS EXPLANATION WAS AN ALUMINUM HEAD VERSUS A CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLD VERSUS CASE HARDENED BOLTS ALL EXPANDED AND CONTRACTED TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSE A POOR DESIGN. UPDATED 08/18/14

NHTSA complaint #10609626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greenwood, SC

ENGINE

APPROXIMATELY 5:50 P.M. AS MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY ROAD THE CAR STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. MANY OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE STEERING LOCKED. I WAS ABLE TO CRANK AGAIN TO PULL IT INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT. I WAS NOT COMPLETELY IN THE PARKING SPACE AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT UPSETTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC FOR THIS BUSINESS, BUT COULD NOT CRANK THE CAR TO GET IT COMPLETELY IN THE PARKING SPACE. AS I WAS OUT OF TOWN, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES. WHEN THE GUY CAME TO TOW THE CAR ALL THE LIGHTS WERE STILL ON, STEERING STILL LOCKED AND UNABLE TO START ENGINE UP. THE GUYS AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS TOWED STARTED WORKING ON THE VEHICLE ON FRIDAY MORNING BY CLOSING THEY STILL HAD NOT FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. AROUND LUNCH TIME ON MONDAY THEY REALIZED IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE PART WAS $49.52 BUT THE LABOR WAS COSTLY. I ENDED UP PAYING $476 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. REALLY DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME. CAN'T BELIEVE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL WHEN IT IS THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS. MY STATEMENT ON THE REPAIR ORDER STATES, "THE CUSTOMER SAYS THE CAR STOPPED AS SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD."

NHTSA complaint #10596697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,000 miles Cantonment, FL

ENGINE

THE ENGINE HAS COOLANT LEAK AT HEAD. GM IS AWARE THAT THE ENGINES WERE MADE WITH FAULTY HEADS BY A COMPANY CALLED CASTEC THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE IN THE OIL RETURN PORTS. THEY HAVE A BULLETIN BUT ARE UNWILLING TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THIS REPAIR IS SO COSTLY THAT A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS MORE FEASIBLE. THE AVERAGE TIME OF THIS REPAIR SEEMS TO BE ONLY 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10575046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 216,000 miles Walton, KY

ENGINE

MY BOLTS ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD ARE BREAKING OFF. I HAVE FIVE GRAND KIDS THAT RIDE IN MY TRUCK AT TIMES. I DON'T WANT CARBON MONOXIDE COMING INTO MY TRUCK. THESE BOLTS SHOULD NOT JUST BREAK OFF, THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE SEEN WHERE THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH CHEVY AND GM TRUCKS. THIS TRUCK WAS BUILD WITH FAMILY IN MIND. NOW BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE MYSELF AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS AT RISK.

NHTSA complaint #10514453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Green BAY, WI Fire

ENGINE

I WENT TO THE STORE APROX AT 8PM AND GO BACK APROX AT 915PM AND PARK MY CAR. APROX AT 11PM MY NEIGHBORS CALL US AND SAID THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THIS STARTED APROX FROM THE ENGINE PART.

NHTSA complaint #10491886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles West Jordan, UT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING OFF. EPA EMISSIONS . EXHAUST LEAK UNDER HOOD CAN GET INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10438877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles White Lake, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2005 CHEVY TAHOE... MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THE CAM SHAFT, ROCKER ARM, AND LOBE. LEADING TO A KNOCKING NOISE. GM WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND REPLACE THE ENGINE PARTS!

NHTSA complaint #10240017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,583 miles King Ferry, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED.*AK UPDATED 9/11/2006 - WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING FUNCTION WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10165239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

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