Chevrolet Tahoe Complaints (2003)

507 consumer complaints on file.

#10609065July 8, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE BADLY RUSTED. SINCE IT IS USED TO TOW A BOAT, IT COULD BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE IF THE LINES SHOULD RUST ENOUGH TO FAIL. A BRAKING ACCIDENT WHILE TOWING A 3000 LB. BOAT COULD BE PARTICULARLY NASTY. THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE CORRODED FAR MORE THAN OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME APPROXIMATE AGE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606631June 28, 2014
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY REAR GLASS WINDOW HINGE HAS POPPED OUT OF ITS PLASTIC HOUSING IN WHICH IT IS MOUNTED TO VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO GET TWISTED AROUND BIT LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10604639June 19, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY TRUCK INTO A SIDE STREET AND SLOWLY COME TO A STOP. WHEN I GOT OUT I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SHAME ON GM FOR NOT NOTIFYING PEOPLE OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND ENDANGERING MY CHILDREN'S LIFE!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10604340June 18, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GAUGES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAGE AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER, SINCE HE WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 08/14/14
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10598277June 14, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
GETTING ON AN INTERSTATE RAMP I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO REDUCE MY SPEED. AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES IN A NORMAL MANNER TO SLOW DOWN, MY BRAKE PEDAL SANK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN OR STOP. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO A STOP MY DROPPING DOWN IN GEAR AND APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE. I PULLED THE TRUCK OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER (ONLY SHOULDER AVAILABLE ON THIS RAMP) AND STOPPED. I OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID. DIDN'T SEE ANY PROBLEMS FROM THAT ANGLE. I CHECKED AROUND THE TRUCK AND NOTICED LEAKAGE OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE BRAKE FLUID COMING OUT FROM THE FRONT, PASSENGER SIDE. I CALLED FOR A TOW TO MY PREFERRED SERVICE SHOP. AFTER A DAY MY MECHANIC CALLED AND SAID THAT ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES WAS FULLY RUSTED, HAD BUSTED AND WAS LEAKING. HE SAID THAT UPON INSPECTION OF THE REST OF MY BRAKE LINES, THEY WERE ALL VERY RUSTED AND IN DANGER OF ALSO BUSTING OPEN. HE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF ALL BRAKE LINES AT A COST OF MORE THAN $2,200.00. THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 11 YEARS OLD. IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING, NEARLY 40 YEARS, I'VE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE WITH RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES AT THE 11 YEAR MARK. I BELIEVE THE DESIGN IS FLAWED AND THAT USING STEEL (CORROSIVE) VERSUS A NON-CORROSIVE MATERIAL SUCH AS STAINLESS STEEL IS A "CUTTING CORNERS" TECHNIQUE WHICH PUT DRIVERS AT RISK AND INTO LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS TO THEMSELVES ON ONTO OTHERS. I'D LIKE TO REQUEST THAT GM BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EITHER OFFERED A NO COST REPAIR FOR THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM OR FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO THEIR VEHICLES TO CORRECT THIS CLEARLY DANGEROUS FLAW. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10595196May 30, 2014
SEATS
BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER WILL NOT RELEASE TO LAY FLAT. WE HAVE HAD MECHANICS LOOK AT AND ONLY ONE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO RELEASE. AS LONG AS THE SEAT IS PUT GENTLY BACK INTO UPRIGHT POSITION IT WILL WORK. HOWEVER, IF IT IS NOT, IT WON'T BUDGE. AT THIS POINT IT WILL NOT RELEASE. THE OTHER SEAT WORKS OKAY FOR NOW BUT WE ARE CONCERNED IT MAY DO THE SAME. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN AN EMERGENCY WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE THIRD SEAT. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM? WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THANK YOU FOR WHATEVER HELP YOU MAY HAVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594491May 28, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
AS I APPROACHED A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN AND PREPARED TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, WENT TO THE FLOOR. I MANAGED TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN INCHES OF THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED INDICATING A BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. IT HAD NEVER COME ON BEFORE. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME, APPROXIMATELY UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR, HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND BURST. IT WAS A MIRACLE THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT A HIGHER SPEED OR EXITING A FREEWAY RAMP, I FEAR THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10593310May 21, 2014
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR HAS STARTED DISTORTING AND LEAKING A BROWN LIQUID SUBSTANCE. IT HAS DISCOLORED THE PAINT ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEP BAR. OBJECTS APPEAR DISTORTED/DOUBLED AND MIRROR HAS A HAZE TO IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592685May 20, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LINE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS EROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592765May 20, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, AND FUEL LINES, WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE IS BAD, BRAKE LINES FAIL WITH NO WARNING, BRAKE PAD GOES TO FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586786May 6, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS SITTING AT A DRIVE THROUGH WAITING FOR FOOD. SUDDENLY WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT STARTED GETTING A MUSHY FEELING AND THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I GOT IT HOME, I FOUND THERE WAS A LEAK IN ONE OF THE FRONT BRAKE LINES WHICH WERE RUSTED PRETTY BADLY. THE NEXT MORNING, I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO GET THE FRONT BRAKE LINES REPLACED FOR JUST OVER $300. THE REAR ARE RUSTED PRETTY BAD BUT MY AUTOMOTIVE SHOP SAID THEY USUALLY DON'T REPLACE THEM IF THEY AREN'T LEAKING. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO NOT BE DEAD OR INJURED (ALONG WITH ANYONE ELSE) AS I WAS ON THE HIGH WAY EARLIER THAT NIGHT AND DRIVING AROUND QUITE A BIT. I HEARD THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE, SO I WANTED TO OFFER MY EXPERIENCE AND INQUIRE ON WHY THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL OPEN AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED? IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING SO CRUCIAL TO SAFETY SHOULD BE EITHER MORE PROTECTED OR BE LESS PRONE TO RUST, EVEN IN THE SNOW BELT WITH ALL THE CORROSIVE SALT ON THE ROADS. THIS IS SOMETHING THE CAR MANUFACTURERS MUST ACCOUNT FOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10585173April 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
THE 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WAS DRIVEN ON U.S. HIGHWAY 10, IN MINNESOTA, FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES ON THE INCIDENT DATE. THE TAHOE WAS TAKEN HOME AND, AS IT WAS PARKED, THE BRAKE LINE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE ASSEMBLY RUPTURED. IT'S INTERESTING THAT THE TAHOE BODY AND DRIVETRAIN IS IN GOOD CONDITION, NOT MUCH BODY RUST FOR IT'S AGE, BUT ON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT EVERY BRAKE LINE HAS HEAVY RUST ON IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR OF THIS TAHOE. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT CHEVROLET USED INFERIOR MATERIALS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE TAHOE'S BRAKE SYSTEM...THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. BUT, ALSO, IT'S A SHAME THAT NHTSA HAS TAKEN SIX YEARS TO "STUDY" THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT DRAWN A CONCLUSION OR FORCED GM TO DO A RECALL? IT'S GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACY AT ITS BEST...WHAT A SHAM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584211April 22, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY (7/12/12) ALL FRONT BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THEN ON 2/11/14, HAD LEFT UM HOSPITAL WITH WIFE, NOTED SOMETHING WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WITH BRAKES BUT CONTINUED TO A RESTAURANT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF RESTAURANT, ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT FROM CURB AND HAD NO BRAKES. ALL REAR BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. BOTH OCCASIONS REQUIRED A FLATBED TOW TRUCK FROM AAA. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS WAS $2050.74. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10583117April 16, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE! MY SPEEDOMETER JUST STOP WORKING ONE DAY WHEN DRIVING. IT WILL STICK ON A 120 OR 35 OR SOMETIMES IT WONT MOVE AT ALL. I DO HAVE A PICTURE OF BEING PARKED AND TAHOE SHUT OFF AND ITS SHOWING 120. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE..PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TICKETS FOR GOING OVER AND UNDER SND I ALSO HAVE THE TOW PKG AND OWN A POP UP AND REALLY SCARED TO TRAVEL WITH IT. CANT AFFORD THE 600 THEY IT WILL COST..CANT GET INTO A NON CHEVY. THIS IS MY FIRST CHEVY I BOUGHT AND THINK IT WILL BE MY LAST. .GM STEP UP AND GET THIS RECALLED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10572519March 15, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
ABS, BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT COMES, DOOR LOCKS CYCLE REPEATEDLY, LOSES POWER AND WON'T START. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10568051March 9, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
NOT SURE WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR BUT IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS. SHORTLY AFTER I START MY CAR AND IT IS WARMED UP, WHEN I AM DRIVING IT AND I PUT THE BRAKES ON TO SLOW DOWN ON A CORNER OR AT A INTERSECTION, MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF. I CAN'T STEER AND THE BRAKES ARE HARD TO PUSH. PLEASE HELP, DON'T WANT TO KILL MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564791February 18, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE CONTACT AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562274January 30, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN MY 2003 TAHOE I HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES A SECOND TIME MY BREAK PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO CRAWL HOME AS I WASN'T FAR. TOOK A LOOK UNDER CAR AND ALL MY BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AND ONE FOR SURE IS LEAKING. MY TAHOE IS AS I TYPE AT A SHOP WAITING ON PRICING FOR PARTS THAT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THRU CHEVROLET. I'M PRAYING THAT IT IS NOT TO EXPENSIVE BUT THE BALLPARK FIGURE I WAS GIVEN IS ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE ALL FOUR LINES. DEBATING OF JUST HAVING THE ONE REPLACED AND HOPEFULLY GM WILL COME TO THEIR SENSES AND RECALL THESE PROBLEMATIC BRAKE LINES. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T GOING ANY FASTER AS MY DAUGHTER WAS IN TAHOE WITH ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561920January 28, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, WAITING FOR IT TO CHANGE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN AND ALL KINDS OF LIGHTS IN THE TRUCK WERE FLASHING INDICATING TROUBLE. I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE CURVE, PUT IT ON PARK, AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL COMING DOWN FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. I CALLED AAA, SINCE I AM A MEMBER, AND THEY TOWED THE TRUCK TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND NOTICED THAT BOTH THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRODED. I HAPPENED TO READ ONLINE ABOUT OTHER CHEVY OWNERS THAT WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH BRAKE AND FUEL LINE CORROSION ON THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR CHEVY TAHOE I OWN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561288January 24, 2014
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED AND AN UNEXPECTED HIGH AMOUNT OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BACK OF THE SEAT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAT RASH TO HER BACK. THERE WAS ALSO A SMALL BURN MARK ON THE SEAT BACK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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