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3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,759 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments

problem #12

Jul 152023

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Tahoe has the New Process 246GM transfer case. They have a known issue called pump rub where the pump is to close to the magnesium shell, and rubs pin holes in the shell which causes fluid to dissipate over time causing the transfer case to run dry burning it up. I've had a mechanic check it out and there was no fluid in the case, and now I have a transfer case that's burned up. I've called a transmission shop, and they told me it was a common issue. I would like for general motors to correct this issue

- Garfield, AR, USA

problem #11

Aug 082014

Tahoe

  • 130,000 miles
Transmission needed to be replaced again this was number 5 not thats correct 5 (five) transmissions in this car at 130K miles.

- Cold Spring , NY, USA

problem #10

Jan 022012

Tahoe

  • miles
The vehicle has been engaging in 4-wheel drive on its on for over a year even when traveling on the highway at 55 mph or more. When taken to the dealership, was told that this is a very common problem seen in this type of vehicle and very costly to fix. Was told to wait until it becomes more problematic to repair because of the cost. Now the light does not show on the panel to show if it is in 2 or 4 wheel drive and it is happening more frequently.

- Union, SC, USA

problem #9

Feb 012004

Tahoe

  • 5 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that when shifting to drive or reverse, there was no indicator that displayed what gear the vehicle was activating. Often while in reverse, the vehicle would move forward. In addition, the gear shifter would sporadically shift out of reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer replaced the gear cluster wiring harness but the failure was not corrected. The gear indicator continued to fail. The approximate failure mileage was 5 and the current mileage 59,897.

- Holtsville , NY, USA

problem #8

Mar 172010

Tahoe

  • 50,000 miles
Transmission had to be replaced and I paid for half, GM goodwill paid for half. When you pay over $42,000 for a vehicle it should last more than 50,000 miles!

- Keeseville, NY, USA

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problem #7

Aug 282011

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 136,233 miles
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe "reduced engine power". occurs intermittently and only allows you to go about 25 mph. Very unsafe if on a highway. GM dealer replaced the faulty wire harness and plug that plugs into the throttle body. Also replaced throttle body itself.

- Galt, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 222009

Tahoe

  • 27,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 25 mph on normal road conditions; the vehicle automatically shifted into four-wheel low gear without assistance. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was turned off. Immediately, the engine was restarted into two-wheel drive. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic test. The failure was due to the four- wheel drive switch module and the encoder motor transfer case actuator. Both components were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer on five separate occasions for the identical failures for which there were no resolutions. The vehicle service warranty expired at 36,000 miles. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunctions. The failure mileage was 27,000. The current mileage was 90,000.

- Bronxville, NY, USA

problem #5

Sep 202007

Tahoe

  • miles
2004 Tahoe, when starting out engine loses power and readout displays ( traction active ). first time happened fall 2007. Dealer could not find problem but did a download of software, did not help. Over past month does this one or more times daily. Took back to dealer and they said not sure what to do, may have to drive until it will no longer run before they know what to fix. This may turn into a safety issue if it stops and someone hits me from behind. I seen on your complaint section this has been brought up at least once before.

- Westerville, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 062008

Tahoe

  • 59,275 miles
I have a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. At 59,000, a pinion seal leak was discovered. I took it the next day to the Chevrolet dealer where I purchased the vehicle new. Upon evaluation, it was determined that the leak had resulted in excessive metal friction in the gears, requiring a complete overall. There is no warning system for low differential fluid and leaks are not visible from the ground as any fluid normally blows off while driving. The seal on the rear axle pinion, which provides power to the rear wheels, could leak fluid, causing the wheels to seize and lock. Note that GM has recalled many similar models, but not the Tahoe at this time.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #3

Mar 012008

Tahoe

  • 38,600 miles
In 2006, I would have intermittent problems with my 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. When trying to accelerate from a stop, the traction active display would light up and the vehicle would lag and not accelerate. I took the vehicle to bernard Chevrolet in libertyville, Illinois, and they advised me that I should bring it back when the problem occurred regularly. In 2008 the problem began to get bad, and the Tahoe would lag when I tried to accelerate from a stop and the traction active light would come on. This happened at least once a day on my four mile commute to work. On two occasions I was almost involved in an accident due to the lagging of the vehicle. I brought the car into libertyville Chevrolet (the dealership that replaced bernard Chevrolet after they went out of business), and the vehicle was kept over night. They scanned it and found no problem codes and then they installed an updated program and it tested okay. I paid $115 and then as I exited the parking lot of the dealership, the Tahoe lagged as I tried to accelerate and the traction active light came on. I looked at my odometer and it read 38,746 (came in for service at 38,745), however, when I looked at the receipt I noted that the service department had put the mileage out at 38,748. The vehicle was obviously not test driven after the service, however, they tried to make it appear that it was. Kevin P #475 was the technician at libertyville Chevrolet. The $115 charge was reimbursed, however, Chevrolet has made no offers to fix this dangerous condition on my vehicle. The problem has been the topic of many problem auto chat discussions, and apparently the problem is related to wheel sensors that prematurely corrode on the Tahoe and Yukon. I have managed the problem by letting of the accelerator when the problem occurs, and this apparently disengaged the malfunctioning traction active mode. This is a dangerous problem that shouldn't occur on a $43,000 vehicle with 38,000 miles.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #2

Sep 012007

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • miles
2004 Tahoe with wobble in the steering mechanism. Customer states the steering mechanism wobbled while on the way to Florida. Customer had another incident with the front differential and carrier bearings. The consumer experienced a wobbling in the steering mechanism and the Chevrolet dealer corrected the defect in January 07. The consumer stated that he had an inspection performed in May 2007 at thielen motors which entailed a front differential pinion, carrier bearings, a related drive train elements and metal shavings in the differential unit which means possible defect. The consumer stated would like the defects investigated and reimbursement for the repairs performed on the vehicle.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #1

Sep 282004

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought my Tahoe new in Sept. 2004. Two days after purchasing took back to dealer ship with vibration in brake pedal. The dealer ship said they could not fix it that it was an engineering problem and I should know something within 4-6 weeks. Well it is now the end of Jan. And I still have not heard what the fix would be and the vibration is getting worse and now you can feel it when the vehicle is sitting still and in park with out your foot on the brake.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

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