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2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 467 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe, most often about the electrical (46% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is 6th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Electrical
214 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
: the contact stated while traveling 65 MPH, smoke flowed from under the hood. The vehicle was pulled over and the hood was raised. There was a fire in the fuse box that was extinguished with water. A police report was taken. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where the entire wiring for the vehicle was replaced.…
2004 chevy Tahoe - the speedometer is completely erratic while driving and does not read the correct MPH. It fluctuates all over the place and does not settle back to zero. Very dangerous issue!!!
Brakes
86 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 102,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist, pedals and linkages.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the brake pedal dropped to the floor board after being engaged. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be replaced.…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake service indicator illuminated. The contact discovered that the rear driver side brake line was corroded and leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Engine
46 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
2004 chevy Tahoe with castech heads has a history of running hot or overheating with little warning. In the cooler months, will fail to heat the interior of the vehicle without warning. Can leave drivers and passengers (likely children) without transportation in a harsh environment.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The contact discovered that the engine overheated because the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact dispensed coolant into the reservoir. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
Steering
29 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, hydraulic power assist, gear box.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact noticed that whenever the vehicle was idling, the steering wheel would not turn to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 54,000.
Steering wheel makes rattling or vibration noise all the time it doesn't matter what speed I am traveling at. Vehicle feels almost out of control. Constantly have to move the wheel to keep it on the road. No other issues other than standard wear and tear but this issue alone makes me want to junk the vehicle as I sure…
Speed control
27 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables.
After coming off cruise control at 55 MPH and proceeding through town, I hit the resume button to once again increase speed from 45 MPH to 55 MPH but while on a road with a slight incline (less than 5% grade.) after pressing and quickly releasing the resume button as I normally do, the cruise control accelerated…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 50 MPH during rainy weather, the vehicle accelerated abnormally and crashed into a concrete medium. The vehicle began to spin around and then reversed while the contact depressed the brake pedal the entire time. The vehicle then crashed into a second…
Transmission
26 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle hubs.
2004 chevy Tahoe transmission problems third time back to dealer first time @ 21k miles second time @ 37k miles both times the transmission has been replaced car is beening towed back today june 18 2007 three days after I got the car back from second transmission.
The transmission failed on entering freeway on ramp causing the vehicle to stall while merging with other traffic. Other vehicles swerved, skidded, and honked while I coasted my vehicle to the right shoulder and limped off the freeway.
Body and structure
15 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Hinge on rear liftgate window separated from the window and prevented window from latching. (the hinge failure cocked the window and made it crooked on the liftgate.) this window has only been opened maybe 2 - 3 dozen times total in 7 years. If I hadn't been focused, I might have driven off and window might have blown…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 10 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the contact noticed that front driver side tire was flat. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The contact stated that the spare tire mount would not unlock and release the tire. The vehicle was towed to…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
Smell of fuel for about a week brought it to evans automotive st aug. Fl. 32080. They contacted me and told me flaw in design of tank water gets up on top of tank and sits there. This rots out sending unit and fuel pump as well as locking studs that hold down this one piece unit.tank is plastic but studs that lock in…
Approx. 6 months ago I was driving when a vehicle entered the intersection in front of me. I stepped on the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Luckily there was no crash but my vehicle just barely came to a stop. Towed the vehicle to a dealership and found all the brake lines were rusted out and needed to be…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: 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 expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
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, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
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 position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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 in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
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 at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
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 hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
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.
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (214 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); brakes (86 complaints, typically around 102,500 miles); engine (46 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Tahoe?
- It is 6th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints, with 467 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.