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2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine Problems

41 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

41
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2014Dec 2010
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (41)

criticalENGINE
FireFiled: Mar 2019

Your 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe caught fire approximately 10 minutes after being parked. The fire department extinguished the fire, and no one was injured, but the exact origin of the fire was not determined. The vehicle was towed away and has not yet been diagnosed by a dealer or manufacturer. A fire report was filed with authorities.

NHTSA #: 11192145
highENGINE
Filed: Dec 2018

Your engine's rear main seal has failed, causing oil to leak everywhere underneath your vehicle. This oil leak poses a potential fire hazard and environmental concern. The repair will likely involve replacing the rear main seal, which requires significant engine disassembly.

NHTSA #: 11156890
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLETTAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,498.

NHTSA #: 10883383
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED A "LOW POWER MODE" MESSAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT STEAM WAS EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LIFTED THE HOOD FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED AROUND THE OIL DRAIN HOLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ UPDATED 06/15/18*JB

NHTSA #: 10875268
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE USED EXCESSIVE ANTI FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CASTECH HEAD THAT LEAKED COOLANT. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CASTECH HEADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA #: 10839032
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2016

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS THAT THREAD INTO THE CYLINDER HEADS HOLDING THE CAST IRON EXHAUST MANIFOLDS IN PLACE ONTO THE HEADS BREAK OFF UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE BOLTS BREAK OFF AND WERE CAUSING AN EXHAUST LEAK. MY VEHICLE'S EXHAUST WAS COMING INSIDE THE VEHICLE MAKING OCCUPANTS ILL. THE STEEL MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE UNDERSIZED FOR THE APPLICATION, AND BEING USED ON IRON MANIFOLDS MATING TO ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS. I HAVE TO PAY THE $1000+ REPAIR COST TO FIX AN APPARENT MANUFACTURING FAILURE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. NO ONLY DO THE BROKEN BOLTS CAUSE EXHAUST LEAKS AND NOISE, BUT PUTS THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION AS A POSSIBLE FIRE RISK.

NHTSA #: 10825153
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS USING TOO MUCH ANTIFREEZE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAST TECH HEADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY LEAKED ANTIFREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA #: 10761534
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2015

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN OFF AT REAR OF ENGINE ON BOTH SIDES.

NHTSA #: 10735002
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA #: 10701903
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* 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, WHO INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE CYLINDER HEAD WERE IMPROPERLY DESIGNED AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10694198
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA #: 10692138
mediumENGINE
CrashFiled: Dec 2014

VEHICLE BEGINS TO IDLE ROUGH, NOTICED TAHOE CONSUMES COOLANT AT AN ABNORMAL RATE, APPROXIMATELY 1GAL/MONTH!! OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER CODED FOR FLEX FUEL SENSOR REPLACEMENT $1400! NO CHANGE IN CONDITION OF VEHICLE. IDLE IS NOW VERY VERY LOW! MY WIFE PICKS UP OUR KIDS, TAHOE WOULD STOP RUNNING WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN INTERSECTION!!! NO POWER = NO POWER STEERING!! SHE BARELY AVOIDS AN ACCIDENT!! SHE ALONG WITH THE KIDS WILL NOT RIDE IN THE (FAMILY CAR) THE TAHOE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. DON'T TRUST OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP, DUE TO LACK OF INTEGRITY!! WE WERE PROUD AND LOYAL CHEVY OWNERS, WE ALSO OWN A 91 GMC SIERRA 1500 5.7L WITH 232000 MI. AND A 98 CHEVY 1500 V-6 113590 MI PICK-UP, BOTH STILL RUNNING VERY STRONG WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ISSUES! RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE, DEFECTIVE CASTECH HEADS, GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, TSB 06-06-01-019B, VERY DISAPPOINTED TO STATE THE LEAST OF HOW GM IS HANDLING THIS SITUATION. COMPLAINED TO GM CORPORATE, THEY STATED THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST AND THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE INTEGRITY RUNS VERY THIN!! I AM A PROUD MSGT IN THE USAF, AND FULL TIME FIREFIGHTER, IF WE CANT TRUST "THE HEARTBEAT OF AMERICA," WHO THE HELL CAN WE TRUST!! THIS PROBLEM HAS COST PUT OUR FAMILY IN THE HOLE FOR $3800 NOW AND IT LOOKS LIKE IF WE MOVE FORWARD TO FIX OURSELVES WE WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $5800 FOR THE HEADS TO BE SERVICED OR $8600 FOR NEW MOTOR SWAP!!! GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY RECALL THIS AND GET THIS ISSUE SQUARED AWAY AND MAYBE SALVAGE WHAT IS LEFT OF A LOYAL GM SUPPORTER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10663026
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2014

I GOT AN ENGINE LIGHT ABOUT BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER CODE WAS P0430, DEFINITION IS "CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BANK 2", THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY HIGH ENGINE OIL OR COOLANT USAGE. KNOWING THIS I CHECK MY TAHOE FOR COOLANT LEAKS, NO VISIBLE LEAKS AT ALL, I TAKE THE COVER OFF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND I FIND A LOT OF SLUDGE, NOW I KNOW WHERE THE ANTIFREEZE IS GOING. MY TAHOE IS STILL RUNNING BUT WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND WITH A MISFIRE DUE TO THE POROUS CYLINDER HEAD, DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE IS GOING TO LAST AND CAN'T REALLY STOP THE TAHOE BECAUSE IT'S A DAILY DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10663266
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2014

THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS FOR THE 5.3L GM MOTORS BUILT BY CASTECH LEAK COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE OVERHEAT AND INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURES. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN #060601019B TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. GM WILL NOT OFFER CUSTOMERS ANY FINANCIAL HELP IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THIS ISSUE EFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY OF THE PERSONS IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FOULED ENGINE OIL CAUSES THE LIFTERS TO FAIL, THE OIL PRESSURE TO DROP AND THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION BY THE FOULED OIL AND THE DRIVER HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS IS HAPPENING AS THERE IS NO EXTERNAL INDICATORS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10594121
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2014

DROVE VEHICLE OUT OF TOWN ON CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TRIP. AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT STARTING VEHICLE NEXT AM BIG CLOUD OF WHITE GRAY SMOKE UPON START. COOLANT LOW. REFILLED COOLANT AND DROVE HOME. NOW VEHICLE CONSTANTLY LEAKS COOLANT WITH NO APPARENT LEAK UNDER VEHICLE OR IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OIL SLUDGES BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. WHITE SMOKE AFTER A 30 MIN DRIVE EVERY TIME. GM HAS BULLETIN OUT FOR BAD HEADS INSTALLED AND THE PART NUMBER AND SYMPTOMS MATCHED CRACKED HEADS ON MY VEHICLE. DEALER AWARE AND SEES OFTEN NOT ONLY IN THIS VEHICLE BUT ALL 5.3 ENGINES FROM A CERTAIN TIME SPAN. DEALER STATES WILL ONLY FIX AT COST OF CONSUMER EVEN THOUGH BULLETIN IS KNOWN. THIS COULD CAUSE AN OVERHEAT SITUATION OR ENGINE FAILURE AT A BAD TIME OR WORSE. WHY ARE THEY NOT MADE TO STAND BEHIND THIS WHEN PROBLEM IS KNOWN? A QUICK SEARCH ON GOOGLE WILL OVERWHELM A COMPUTER WITH SO MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10576070
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2014

THE TAHOE HAS KNOWN FAULTY CASTECH CYLINDERS WHICH CAUSE COOLANT TO LEAK WITH NO EXPLANATION. OVER THE WINTER I HAVE HAD UNEXPLAINED COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE ISSUE WITH NO FOUND LEAKS (COOLANT WOULD BE BONE DRY AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS OF FILLING IT). I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE IS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE FAULTY POROUS CYLINDER HEADS MADE BY CASTECH INSTALLED IN GM'S FROM 2001 - 2006. THIS TAHOE HAS A TOTAL OF 80,000 MILES NOW AND EXPERIENCING ISSUES DUE TO KNOWN FAULTY PARTS INSTALLED BY GM. CHEVROLET HAS TO BE AWARE OF THE DANGER THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS IN BY NOT HAVING A RECALL OF A FAULTY PART LOCATED IN THE ENGINE. HOW THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. HOW CHEVROLET EXPECT THE CUSTOMER TO PAY 3-4K TO REPLACE THEIR FAULTY HEAD IS LUDICROUS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10567935
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2014

GM USED DEFECTIVE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS FOR MILLIONS OF 4.8/5.3 LITER V8 ENGINES FROM 2001-2006. THE CYLINDER HEADS CRACK CAUSING COOLANT TO FLOW INTO THE OIL AND CAUSE EXCESSIVE SLUDGE TO FORM AND CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED TSB TO IT'S SERVICE DEPARTMENTS:1 INFORMATION ON GRADUAL COOLANT LOSS OVER TIME WITH NO EVIDENCE OF LEAK FOUND #06-06-01-019B - (06/12/2007). THESE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS CAN CAUSE OVERHEATING AND COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10565012
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jan 2014

CYLINDER HEADS ARE LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE LIFTER NOISE WHEN FIRST STARTED AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND REQUIRES COOLANT TO BE ADDED ALMOST DAILY. THIS CONDITION WILL EVENTUALLY RUIN THE ENGINE REQUIRING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN BY GM TO BE A DEFECT IN THE CASTING PROCESS, YET NO HELP IS OFFERED BY GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10559068
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A COOLING FLUID LEAK, AND SHE HAD TO ADD COOLING FLUID CONSISTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS COOLING FLUID LEAKING INTO THE OIL PAN IN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA #: 10521683
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2013

ENGINE STARTED WITH A TICKING NOISE WHEN COLD. WOULD GO AWAY AFTER ENGINE WARMED UP. UPON INSPECTION FOUND 2 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS SHEARED ON #7 CYLINDER, 1 BROKEN ON #8. TICKING COMING FROM EXHAUST LEAK ON #7. UPON RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE ENGINES. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL OR SAFETY NOTICE AS IT PRESENTS A REAL HAZARD FOR FIRE AND EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10519314
mediumENGINE
Filed: May 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS FRACTURED ON THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND IT WAS FOUND THAT COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT IF THIS CONTINUES THE ENGINE WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. *TR

NHTSA #: 10511420
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2012

I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 CHEVY TAHOE IS SEPTEMBER 2009 WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 71,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS USING A LOT OF OIL AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THEIR WAS NO OIL LEAKS AND PERFORMED A COMPRESSION TEST. SINCE THAT DATE I HAVE NEEDED TO ADD ADDITIONAL OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT STARTED TO USE A LOT OF COOLANT. I HAVE ADDED ABOUT 4 GALLONS OF COOLANT IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE LEFT CYLINDER HEAD WAS LEAKING COOLANT IN THE ENGINE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE CASTECH HEADS IN THIS MODEL WERE POROUS WHICH CAUSED THEM TO CRACK. THE DEALER IS RECOMMENDING THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6400. I FEEL CHEVY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE THEY ARE AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE CASTECH HEADS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10465745
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS SLOWLY LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDER HEAD, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA #: 10424228
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FireFiled: Aug 2011

BLOWER RESISTOR CAUGHT FIRE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE IT PLUGS INTO THE FRONT BLOWER MOTOR. *KB

NHTSA #: 10416791
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Feb 2011

COOLANT LOSS WITHOUT SIGNS OF LEAK. LOSS OF OIL WITH NO SIGNS OF LEAK. LIFTERS CHATTERING ON COLD START. PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE ON START-UP. LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEADS MADE BY CASTECH. *TR

NHTSA #: 10383415
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

THE GM 5.3L BUILT BETWEEN 2002 AND 2006 USING CASTEK CORPORATION ENGINE HEADS WERE INCORRECTLY BUILT PER GM AND CASTEK. THE HEADS LEAK ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND BURNS OFF CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND REQUESTS THE HEADS BE CHANGED OUT BUT AT THE CLIENTS EXPENSE. WITH THE LOSS OF COOLANT AND INEVITABLE ENGINE DAMAGE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REPLACED AT GM COST. TECHNICAL BULLETIN 06-06-01-019B ISSUED 6/12/2007.

NHTSA #: 10373113
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10370326
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2010

THE ENGINE CYLINDER HEADS FOR THE 5.3L GM MOTORS BUILT BY CASTECH LEAK COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE OVERHEAT AND INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURES. GM HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN #060601019B TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. GM WILL NOT OFFER CUSTOMERS ANY FINANCIAL HELP IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THIS ISSUE EFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY OF THE PERSONS IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE FOULED ENGINE OIL CAUSES THE LIFTERS TO FAIL, THE OIL PRESSURE TO DROP AND THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION BY THE FOULED OIL AND THE DRIVER HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING THIS IS HAPPENING AS THERE IS NO EXTERNAL INDICATORS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10362611
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2010

CONSUMING OIL AND WATER - NEEDING 1-2 QUARTS OF OIL AND 1 GALLON WATER/COOLANT PER 900 MILES. NO LEAKS, NO DRIPPING, NO SPOTS ON GARAGE FLOOR. AT START UP, THERE IS A LARGE CLOUD OF BLUE/WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST. SOMETIMES THERE IS A VERY LOUD TAPPING IN THE ENGINE UNTIL WELL AFTER REACHING NORMAL TEMPERATURE. OIL AND WATER IS BEING CONSUMED INTERNALLY - DUE TO CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CERTAIN ENGINE BLOCKS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10355479
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2008

2004 TAHOE, 79,000 MILES. ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE IF I HAD NOT NOTICED AND STOPPED. GM DEALER SAYS OVERHEAING DUE TO CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD AND CONFIRMED TSB 06-06-01-019B (06/12/2007) APPLIES TO VEHICLE, WHICH ADMITS THERE IS KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN CERTAIN CYLINDER HEADS WHICH CAN CAUSE ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTERNALLY CAUSING OVERHEATING AND POTENTIAL ENGINE FAILURE. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER REPAIR. I HAVE PENDING COMPLAINT WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO PAY FOR DAMAGE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT CAN LEAD TO OVERHEATING, ENGINE FAILURE AND POTENTIAL FIRE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS ON INTERNET OF SAME PROBLEMS BY OTHER OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10240974
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jul 2007

I HAVE BEEN HEARING A RATTLING SOUND UNDERNEATH MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, I HEAR A POPPING NOISE, MAYBE FROM THE MUFFLER AREA. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT COULD BE ALREADY WITH ONLY 85K ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10197457
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 80000 MILES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN START MOVING AGAIN THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STAY AT ZERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE SPEEDOMETER TO WORK AGAIN WAS TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT AND RESTART. THIS PROBLEM MADE THE CONTACT RUN OUT OF GAS SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE GAS GAUGE DID NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE OIL GAUGE WASINCORRECT AS WELL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA #: 10183492
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2006

ELECTRICAL PANEL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. HAVE NOT HAD A CORRECT READING IN MONTHS.

NHTSA #: 10172510
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2006

2004 CHEVY TAHOE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING. STAYS ON 55 MPH EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF. TOLD IT WOULD BE ABOUT $800 TO FIX. NOW OIL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT DOES NOT DROP TO ZERO. OIL IN ENGINE IS AT PROPER LEVEL. *NM

NHTSA #: 10169688
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2005

DT: THE CALLER STATED VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND IDLING. THE ENGINE HESITATED JUST BEFORE IT STALLED. DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN A COMPUTER CHIP THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME HE HAD IT IN THEY TOLD HIM HE MAY BE OUT OF GAS THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. *AK *JB

NHTSA #: 10134573
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Aug 2005

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 76 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS STALLED, AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE OWNER HAD TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT. VEHICLE STARTED BACK UP, AND DIED TWICE AFTER THAT WITHIN 40 MILES. THE OWNER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE OWNER CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY DIDN'T SEE A PROBLEM. THE OWNER STATED VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE OWNER CONTACTED CHEVROLET, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM, AND ADVISED THE OWNER TO CALL BACK TODAY. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED SINCE LAST YEAR. THE OWNER WAS STILL DRIVING, IT BUT DID NOT WANT THE CAR ANYMORE SINCE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10134161
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Nov 2004

IDLING OR WHEN VEHICLE IS HOT IT BACKS FIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10101698
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2004

PURCHASED NEW 2004 Z-71 TAHOE 06-30-04. NOTICED VEHICLE HAD A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMMING FROM EXHAUST. DEALER HAD A BULLETIN STATING GM ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM BUT HAD NO FIX. CONTACTED GM SIX WEEKS AGO AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WOULD BE RESOLVED BY THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER.HAVE NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED....

NHTSA #: 10096128
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Oct 2004

THERE IS A VERY OBVIOUS POP/PING, ALMOST LIKE A BELL LIKE SOUND THAT IS COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE AND THE SOUND CAN BE HEARD DURING IDLE OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.*AK

NHTSA #: 10095714
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2004

LOUD POPPING/PINGING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLE POSITION OR WHEN IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF.*AK

NHTSA #: 10090836
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jun 2004

LOUD POPPING/PINGING NOISES COMING FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM WHEN CAR IS IN IDLE POSITION OR WHEN CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED MUFFLER BUT PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER. GM STATES IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT A FIX FOR IT. SAYS IT IS DEFINITELY THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10078444

Other 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Issues