VehicleVerdict

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 548 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Tahoe year — the 2004 model ranks #9 of 37 Tahoe years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 30 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 217 reports (40% of the total).

548

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

30

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Tahoe years?

See all Tahoe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System21740%
Brakes8716%
Engine489%
Steering285%
Speed Control275%
Transmission265%
Fuel System183%
Airbags153%
Body & Structure153%
Visibility & Wipers143%
Tires & Wheels102%
Seats102%
Other102%
Lighting71%
Suspension71%
Latches & Locks51%
Seat Belts20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

05V163000Seat BeltsApril 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 units

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 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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

04V045000BrakesFebruary 4, 2004 · 68,875 units

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 HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 28, 2014 · fire

AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME MY BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE HAD BEEN NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD AN ISSUE BUT UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES THAT COME OUT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER IT APPEARS THAT ONE OF THESE STAINLESS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 28, 2012 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 28, 2014 · fire

I HAVE BEEN SEEING COMMERCIALS ABOUT AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON CHEVY VEHICLES. MY DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN MY 04 CHEVY TAHOE WHERE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND ALSO ANOTHER PERSON WAS IN THE CAR AS WELL. AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 22, 2009 · crash

TL* 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 11, 2011 · crash

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe — common questions

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 548 complaints put the 2004 model at #9 of 37 Tahoe years. It is one of the Tahoe years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Tahoe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (217 complaints), brakes (87 complaints), engine (48 complaints).

Does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tahoe years to avoid are 2007, 2015, 2008, 1999, 2003, 2001, 2021, 2011, 2004, 2002, 1997, 2010, 2009, 2013, 2023, 2012, 2022, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Tahoe years belongs to 1988.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.