This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle's speedometer has been displaying the incorrect speed for the past three months. The indicator fluctuates from 120 to 80 mph, even while the vehicle is not in motion. The dealer advised her to get a repair estimate. She was informed that the repair alone would cost approximately $700. The contact conducted research to determine if there were any recalls for her vehicle, but none were found. Through an internet search, she discovered over 600 complaints for similar failures from other Tahoe, denali, and Yukon owners. The VIN, engine size, purchase date, powertrain, and # of cylinders were unavailable. The vehicle was purchased from a private owner. The current mileage is 79,000 and failure mileage was 74,000. The consumer provided copies of online complaints pertaining to the same defect. Updated 09/05/07
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle's speedometer is malfunctioning. Regardless of the speed, the speedometer will rest at zero or get stuck at 40 mph, regardless of the driving speed. The speedometer also makes a ticking sound. The current mileage is 65,000 and failure mileage was 61,000. Updated 05/23/07.
We purchased this vehicle new in Dec. 2002. Starting in February, the speedometer acts erratically, sometimes reading higher than speed traveled, sometimes reading slower than speed traveled or being stuck all together. The vehicle only had around 43,000 miles on it when this started and only has 46,200 now. Right now the speedometer is stuck on 52 whether I am sitting still or traveling 70 mph.
My wife and I purchased a new 2003 Chevy Tahoe on March 17, 2003 from a Chevrolet dealer in novato, California. Approximately 10 months ago the speedometer began registering 60 mph while the car was not moving. This eventually changed to 120 mph despite the fact that the car was not moving and the engine was turned off. The speedometer never registered anything below 120 mph thereafter. We finally had to get it repaired as we never had any idea at what speed the automobile was actually traveling. We took it to the same dealership where the car was purchased to have it repaired. We were advised that the instrument cluster panel had to be replaced as there was no other way to fix the problem. This cost $359.88. When I asked to see the broken speedometer I was told it was not available as it had to be exchanged for the replacement. This car had only 53,600 miles on it when the speedometer was replaced. I have the invoice and would be willing to provide a copy at your request. I have never seen a speedometer stick in this manner in 35 years of driving. This is a dangerous condition as drivers of vehicles with this problem have no idea what their true rate of speed is.
- Novato, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Have had this Tahoe since 2003, bought new. This past winter 2006 at approximately 51,000 miles the speedometer started acting very erratic. Sometimes registering the correct speed, other times not. As time went on it appeared that the temperature would effect it. Would work on warm days, wouldn't work on colder days. It is now April, 2007 and it is not working at all. Sitting still in my driveway it registers 60 mph. As of now it appears to be stuck at over 60 mph, and is not returning to zero under any circumstances. After reading the numerous complaints with regards to the same issue, it would appear that this is a factory defect.
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe with 58,000 miles and the speedometer has started malfunctioning. It will appear to be jumping at times and also not moving at all. I could be traveling at 60 mph and the speedometer will say I'm going 25 mph, making the situation a safety hazard and needless to say a speeding ticket waiting to happen.
My concerns are the speedometer failure on my 203 Tahoe. I searched this same problem on many web sites and there are thousands of reports on GM autos with the same problem. The cost to fix this failure is $300-$500. I believe this should be classified as a major recall by GM motors.
The speedometer on my 2003 Chevy Tahoe begun working erraticly at aroun 43,000 miles and since quit working all together. My dealer said the problem is common bet not a recall. This seems odd being that this is directly related to the safety of the passengers of this vehicle as well as other drivers.
I own a 2003 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and purchased the vehicle in 07/2005 with roughly 25,000 miles. As of 10/2006 my speedometer started acting erratic wherein it wasn't giving the correct speed of my vehicle. It has since completely stopped working and am seeking assistance in replacing the part to remedy this problem as I see while being on a forum (www.topix.net/forum/autos/Chevrolet-Tahoe) that amongst the hundreds and possibly thousands on this website are indicating their dissatisfaction with Chevrolet/GM and their lack of assistance in remedying this problem. It's not just one specific make, but apparently will all makes ranging from 2002 to 2007. I would strongly suggest that Chevrolet/GM listen to their consumers and remedy this problem immediately or they will surely receive a thrashing from the consumer by no longer purchasing their vehicles. The price to remedy this problem ranges from $550 to $600 depending on which dealer you contact to repair your vehicle. This is surely a nominal amount to a multi-million dollar company, yet would mean a great deal to their consumers.
Speedometer failure in our families 2003 Chevy Tahoe, I seen over 500 people on one website alone with the same problem. At over $500 the dealer wants to fix their lack of engineering I am sure there have been a few unneeded traffic tickets or at worst any accidents over this issue.
Speedometer failure on a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe: With approximately 50,000 miles, the speedometer became highly erratic and eventually quit working all together, but not before I had been pulled over for speeding. Luckily, the office dismissed the event after explaining the situation. I was told this is a common issue with this generation of Tahoe, Suburban, and trucks, and would like to include my complaint about the gauge motor failure with the other one.
My 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe has a speedometer which exhibits jumping around, going 120+mph when sitting still and fluctuates erratically. It will not reset to 0 mph unless you start the vehicle's ignition repeatedly. Most of the time, it still doesn't work after that. This problem has been sporadic since approximately 41,000 miles and now it doesn't work hardly at all (84,000 miles). I have had numerous electronic and computer issues since owning this vehicle with no help or concern from the local Chevrolet dealers or GM. Approximately $2,500 has been paid to them for these repairs thus far. The speedometer/instrument cluster repair estimate from a Chevrolet dealership is another $1,000. Many of the same complaints have been registered about the speedometer problem. Obviously, there's a trend.
Speedometer does not work, readings of 120 constantly. According to the web site topix.net there are about 450 persons who wrote about this problem. Mechanics are asking $500 - $600 to fix this item. I believe GM should take care of this defect they created.
I currently drive a 2003 Chevy Tahoe and while going down the highway today, I noticed that my speedometer was suddenly reading "0"...while I was at cruising speed. I pulled off the road and then all of a sudden my tachometer raced up to 6000 RPM's. I was at a complete stop and my speed was now 0 but my RPM's were showing almost 5000. After turning off my ignition for a few minutes, the speedometer started working again but it was very jumpy. The tach is now reading 3500 when the ignition is turned off. This is a safety issue and therefore should be treated as such by GM and Chevrolet. I've literally read over 400 online postings in the last hour from people experiencing similar problems with the instrument cluster on GM and Chevrolet trucks and sport utilities.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Still Mountain, GA, USA