Chevrolet Tahoe 2000–2006 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation · GMT800 (GMT820/GMT830)
NHTSA data through 24 September 20262,624 complaints, 1,936 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 282
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2000
- Hydraulic brake circuit90 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Brakes30 reports
- Tyres23 reports
6 recall campaigns name the 2000: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Structure; Seats — front assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 70,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 512
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2001
- Hydraulic brake circuit137 reports · median 76,000 mi
- Parking brake80 reports · median 45,000 mi
- Brakes55 reports · median 121,000 mi
5 recall campaigns name the 2001: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Structure; Seats — front assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 449
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2002
- Brakes90 reports · median 136,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit68 reports · median 85,000 mi
- Steering40 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2002: Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Structure; Seats — front assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 507
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2003
- Electrical system193 reports · median 73,000 mi
- Brakes84 reports · median 111,000 mi
- Steering52 reports · median 34,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2003: Seat belts — rear/other; Service brakes, hydraulic; Structure. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 72,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 467
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2004
- Electrical system214 reports · median 68,000 mi
- Brakes60 reports · median 112,000 mi
- Steering29 reports
2 recall campaigns name the 2004: Seat belts — rear/other; Service brakes, hydraulic. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 80,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 293
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2005
- Electrical system126 reports · median 66,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline24 reports
- Airbag system19 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2005: Electrical system; Air bags — frontal; Seat belts — rear/other. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 114
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2006
- Body structure27 reports
- Electrical system24 reports
- Latches and locks21 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2006: Electrical system; Equipment — other; Steering — hydraulic power assist. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2002 reports latest and the 2001 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2001 has had 1 more year on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 75,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 156,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,936
- Recalls
- 16
Most reported
- Electrical system23.6% of complaints · median 70,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit13.5% of complaints · median 80,000 mi
- Brakes13.2% of complaints · median 121,000 mi
Owners filed 2,624 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe; the electrical system leads with 23.6% of them, and half of the 1,936 that record an odometer reading came by 75,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 46,000 and 115,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, half of the 1,936 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 75,000 miles and 90% by 156,000 miles.
222 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 65 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Tahoe reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Tahoe 2000–2006 · 1,936 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 103 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 65 complaints (3.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 23,000
- 25%
- 46,000
- Median
- 75,000
- 75%
- 115,000
- 90%
- 156,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 63 | 3.3% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 37 | 1.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 33 | 1.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 35 | 1.8% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 36 | 1.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 45 | 2.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 56 | 2.9% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 62 | 3.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 85 | 4.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 77 | 4.0% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 103 | 5.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 73 | 3.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 91 | 4.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 91 | 4.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 80 | 4.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 71 | 3.7% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 80 | 4.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 70 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 54 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 56 | 2.9% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 62 | 3.2% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 36 | 1.9% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 48 | 2.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 53 | 2.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 42 | 2.2% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 48 | 2.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 43 | 2.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 33 | 1.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 29 | 1.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 22 | 1.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 22 | 1.1% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 16 | 0.8% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 20 | 1.0% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 14 | 0.7% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 15 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 23 | 1.2% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 11 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 65 | 3.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Tahoe problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Tahoe 2000–2006
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Steering173 reports48,00018,000–83,000Steering: 173 reports, median 48,000 miles, middle half 18,000 to 83,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline153 reports49,00030,000–91,000Transmission and driveline: 153 reports, median 49,000 miles, middle half 30,000 to 91,000 miles.
- Tyres128 reports62,00026,000–104,000Tyres: 128 reports, median 62,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 104,000 miles.
- Electrical system618 reports70,00050,000–100,000Electrical system: 618 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit353 reports80,00050,000–110,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 353 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 110,000 miles.
- Airbag system142 reports86,00055,000–136,000Airbag system: 142 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 136,000 miles.
- Brakes347 reports121,00088,000–160,000Brakes: 347 reports, median 121,000 miles, middle half 88,000 to 160,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 618 | 23.6% | 70,000 | 50,000–100,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 353 | 13.5% | 80,000 | 50,000–110,000 |
| Brakes | 347 | 13.2% | 121,000 | 88,000–160,000 |
| Steering | 173 | 6.6% | 48,000 | 18,000–83,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 153 | 5.8% | 49,000 | 30,000–91,000 |
| Airbag system | 142 | 5.4% | 86,000 | 55,000–136,000 |
| Tyres | 128 | 4.9% | 62,000 | 26,000–104,000 |
| Parking brake | 123 | 4.7% | 45,000 | 28,000–64,000 |
| Body structure | 122 | 4.6% | 84,000 | 57,000–120,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 97 | 3.7% | 55,000 | 44,000–89,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 75,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 23.6% of complaints (618 reports, 496 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 13.5% of complaints (353 reports, 259 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 110,000 miles.
The brakes account for 13.2% of complaints (347 reports, 323 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 121,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 88,000 and 160,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.6% of complaints (173 reports, 122 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 48,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 18,000 and 83,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 5.8% of complaints (153 reports, 104 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 49,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 91,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 5.4% of complaints (142 reports, 84 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 136,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2000–2006 Tahoe
Instrument Cluster 2003–2006
Stepper motor failure in the instrument cluster causing gauges (most often the speedometer and fuel gauge) to read erratically or stop; GM issued a special coverage program and it was the subject of a class-action settlement.
Engine Management
Knock sensors sit in the valley under the intake manifold and corrode from water intrusion, setting P0325/P0332 and causing timing retard and poor performance.
Brakes
Electronic brake control module fault causing false ABS activation and extended stopping distances at low speed.
Interior
Dashboard cracking above the instrument cluster and passenger airbag, widely reported across the GMT800 family.
Before you buy a 2000–2006 Tahoe: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,936 mileage-tagged complaints, 16 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 16 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check instrument cluster on 2003–2006 cars. Stepper motor failure in the instrument cluster causing gauges (most often the speedometer and fuel gauge) to read erratically or stop; GM issued a special coverage program and it was the subject of a class-action…
- Check engine management. Knock sensors sit in the valley under the intake manifold and corrode from water intrusion, setting P0325/P0332 and causing timing retard and poor performance.
- Check brakes. Electronic brake control module fault causing false ABS activation and extended stopping distances at low speed.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 46,000 and 115,000 miles, with a median of 75,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the hydraulic brake circuit are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 70,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Tahoe problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi36% below | At 90k mi61% below | At 120k mi77% below | At 150k mi89% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 50,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 50,000–110,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 88,000–160,000 | later | in window | in window | in window | earlier |
| Steering | 18,000–83,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 30,000–91,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 55,000–136,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Tyres | 26,000–104,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Tahoe 2000–2006 · 1,936 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 36% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 61% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 89% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 3.4% of reports (65) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls (16)
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (4), body structure (3), the airbag system (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Feb 2014 · 2005–2006 · Electrical SystemOnce electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The defect. Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters…
What can happen. Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.
Oct 2006 · 2005 · Air BagsIf the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it…
The defect. Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat…
What can happen. If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of…
The free fix. Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated…
Dec 2005 · 2006 · EquipmentA misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result…
The defect. Certain trucks and sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These vehicles were shipped with tire and loading information labels listing an inacccurate vehicle…
What can happen. A misprinted label could lead to improper vehicle loading specifications or tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Owners will be provided with corrected labels and installation instructions. At the customer's option, a dealer can install the label for them. The recall began on march 31, 2006. Owners may contact…
Oct 2005 · 2006 · SteeringIf this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required.
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose may fracture and leak fluid.
What can happen. If this were to occur, power steering assist would be lost and increased steering effort would be required. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, it could also result in loss of power…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on october 14, 2005. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC…
Aug 2005 · 2000–2002 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface…
Apr 2005 · 2003–2005 · Seat BeltsA lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up…
The defect. On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this…
What can happen. A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can…
The free fix. Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21…
Mar 2005 · 2005 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThis could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
What can happen. This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners…
Feb 2005 · 2005 · Power TrainThe vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." Under…
What can happen. The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and GMC at…
Feb 2004 · 2003–2004 · Service Brakes, HydraulicConsequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?Passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake…
What can happen. Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase…
The free fix. Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer…
Mar 2003 · 2000–2003 · StructureThis overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
Feb 2003 · 2003 · StructureAs a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 214, "Side impact protection." These vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door upper hinge. On some of these vehicles, one or two of the…
What can happen. As a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began february 17, 2003.…
Sep 2002 · 2000–2002 · SeatsIf a person were to insert their finger(s) into the pinch point when the head restraint folds, it could trap…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Dealers will install protective covers over the pinch points. Owner notification began november 8, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do…
Jul 2002 · 2000 · Air BagsIn a vehicle crash, front seat occupants may receive more severe injuries.
The defect. On certain pickup and utility trucks, some of these vehicles have an air bag sensing diagnostic module (sdm) which contains an anomaly that could result in the driver and passenger's air bag failing to deploy during certain frontal crashes.
What can happen. In a vehicle crash, front seat occupants may receive more severe injuries.
The free fix. Dealers will recalibrate the sdm on the affected vehicles. Owner notification began august 28, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
May 2001 · 2001 · Seat BeltsIn a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.
The free fix. 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…
Oct 2000 · 2000 · Service Brakes, HydraulicDuring braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer.
The defect. Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of…
What can happen. During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not…
Oct 2000 · 2000–2001 · StructureThese gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. These gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause possible illness, unconsciousness, or death.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 2,624 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 171 (6.5%)
- Fires
- 54
- Injury reports
- 119
- Fatality reports
- 10
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Tahoe problems by model year
The 2001 drew the most complaints of this generation, 512, most of them about the hydraulic brake circuit, and the 2006 the fewest, 114. A typical year drew about 449.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 282 | 147 | 79,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (90) | 6 |
| 2001 | 512 | 321 | 70,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (137) | 5 |
| 2002 | 449 | 338 | 80,000 | Brakes (90) | 3 |
| 2003 | 507 | 405 | 74,000 | Electrical system (193) | 4 |
| 2004 | 467 | 387 | 72,000 | Electrical system (214) | 2 |
| 2005 | 293 | 242 | 80,000 | Electrical system (126) | 5 |
| 2006 | 114 | 96 | 75,000 | Body structure (27) | 3 |
What Tahoe owners reported
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH occupied with his sister-in-law and her children, the contact smelled smoke coming from the driver seat of the vehicle the contact mention he pulled to the right side of the road, exiting everyone out the vehicle when he noticed…
2002 · 186,000 miles · Electrical system
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…
2001 · 92,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while starting the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic determined that the passenger’s side sensing system had failed…
2005 · 136,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact's spouse owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and remained extended to the floorboard. The contact engaged the parking brake to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The vehicle was driven to the residence and parked.…
2004 · 190,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 1,936 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Tahoe generations
- Tahoe 1995–1999 508 reports with mileage, most about the hydraulic brake circuit
- Tahoe 2007–2014 2,065 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Tahoe 2015–2020 705 reports with mileage, most about the brakes
- Tahoe 2021–2025 171 reports with mileage, most about the engine