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2001 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 512 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, most often about the brakes (53% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Brakes
270 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, conventional.
I took my chevy Tahoe (2001) in to get the inspection done on 10/1/03 -- this is the first time the inspection has been due since the car was manufactured. I bought this truck used 6 months ago. The inspector told me that he would have to fail my truck due to a defective parking brake. I was told that he had seen a…
The consumer indicated that the parking brake failed and would not hold the vehicle when it was parked on a hill. The dealership inspected vehicle several times, and the mechanic advised the consumer that they replaced the mechanical part, but the problem was never resolved. The rear brakes were replaced with factory…
Wheels and tires
35 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, temporary/emergency spare tire, sidewall, rim.
Spare tire missing. I believe the cable snapped and the spare tire fell off while vehicle was in motion creating a danger to other vehicles. I do not know if this caused a crash or injury to other drivers. I do not have a date of the incident.
The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe with firestone wilderness le p265/70/r16 tires.while driving at 70mph the contact heard a loud roaring noise and the vehicle started to swirl and became hard to control. The contact was able to pull over and upon inspection of the vehicle he noticed that the thread on the tire…
Air bags
31 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I was drivineg on the freeway. The cruise control was set at 70 MPH. It was raining I went through a puddle and the car hydroplaned and headed towrd the concrete median, it would not straighten and I hit the median head on. The airbags did not deploy.
Chevrolet Tahoe was double parked on east 15th street between 1st and 2nd ave in nyc. Truck was in "park" when both side airbags inadvertently deployed. There was no impact from any other car and the truck was not moving. This is obviously a manufacturer defect and replacement or repair must be the responsibility of…
Seat belts
29 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
I bought a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe in march of 2004. Since that time the front seat belts have been replaced 2 times. Currently the Tahoe is in hawthorne Chevrolet in hawthorne nj, trying to get it repaired for the third time. I have contacted chvrolet themselves about this. I am worried that it will be unable to be…
I bought a 2001 chevrolex Tahoe used in march of 2004. Since then the front seat belts have not worked properly. It has been to the dealer 6 times for 3 replacements. Still not fixed. Gm has moved my issue to custoimer relations and I was supposed to call me back on novemeber 8 and as on novemeber 29 I still have not…
Transmission
27 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 51,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, transfer case (4-wheel drive), manual transmission.
I have had my Tahoe in the the dealer several times. Where to begin. We have had middle seat latches catch and need to be replaced, the front dash and radio bubbled up and peeled...that was replaced. A component in the steering column was replaced when the car would just up and die everytime you turned left. That was…
I was traveling out of town in my 2001 cheverolet Tahoe when the transmission started "slipping" it would not chg past 2nd gear. I had less than 55,000 miles. It cost me $500 bec I wanted another gm transmission and not the transmission the warranty was offering with only 12000 miles
Body and structure
25 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Rear tailgate glass hinge separated from plastic material in which it was embedded. Failure results in improper securing of rear tailgate window, can lead to glass separating from vehicle at speed. Glass was replaced.
Operating on the rear access road to a mall and noticed brake pedal almost went to the floor and it took a strong effort to stop the vehicle. Tried pumping brakes to see if pedal would rise, it did not. Checked brake fluid reservoir and it was slightly down. Looked under truck and no leak at all four wheels or on…
Seats
20 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: front assembly, mid/rear assembly.
Drivers seat heating senor over heated. The dealer made repairs at 28,000 miles. Now at the present mileages of 33,000 miles the problem has resurfaced. The passenger seat belt would continue to tighten on the occupant while driving. The spare tire cable plastic connector would not release the spare tire.
Safety issue: while traveling at highway speed, the drivers seat right side back support bracket failed. The only thing keeping it upright is the left side bracket and seat covering in tension. In my opinion, a seat bracket should not fail during the life of the vehicle. I do not push back on my seat, as I have seen…
Electrical
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, ignition.
Mileage-60813. 1. Service engine light come on, engine has lack of power on take off. Took vehicle to north jackson Chevrolet for service, dealer reports rodents have eaten through wires going to transmission, transmission not recieving siginal, repaired wires from fuse box, replace inigtion switch cost $634.00. After…
Abs brake light on dash stays on. I had all the sensors tested and they are ok. I had the computer tested and it shows a fault. But the ABS seems to be working fine. It appears that in order to get this error light to go off I have to spend a $1000 for a computer, even thought he system appears to be working properly.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
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, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
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 not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: head restraint
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.
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 not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or cadillac at 1-800-458-8006.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: In a crash, increased occupant injury could result from the no-lock condition.
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 do the inspections. Owner notification began july 2, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: These gases could flow into the passenger compartment if the plug is missing or loose and could cause possible illness, unconsciousness, or death.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle for loose or missing wheelhouse plugs and install new plugs if necessary.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
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 wisconsin.the subject vehicles represent the first five my's of gm's gmt800 platform production, of whi
Parking brake failure
Summary
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.
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
Summary
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, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounti
Steel wheel rim fracture
Summary
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.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr
Summary
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 completing proper installation of the child safety seat in this vehicle.this investigation did not u
Throttle sticking closed
Summary
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 reasonably expected by the driver.on august 1, 2002, the office of defects investigation (odi), of th
Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (270 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); wheels and tires (35 complaints, typically around 61,500 miles); air bags (31 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 29, 2005 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Chevrolet Tahoe?
- It is 4th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints, with 512 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.