RoadVitals

1996 Chevrolet Tahoe

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
283
Latest Oct 22, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
32
32 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 283 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe, most frequently naming the brakes, visibility and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 33 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
03V159000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Apr 28, 2003
1,755,876 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03023View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02006ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE

Opened May 31, 2002
Closed Jul 23, 2003

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTORLed to recall 03V159000
PE01023ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE SEPARATION

Opened Jul 17, 2001
Closed Dec 20, 2001

ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
EA00024ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEADLIGHT

Opened Sep 26, 2000
Closed Dec 21, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EA00013ClosedEngineering Analysis

BATTERY LEAKS ACID

Opened May 2, 2000
Closed Jun 28, 2002

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 283
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 22, 2020
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE EQUIP WITH DEXTEERO DHT2 TIRES, SIZED: P265/75R/16, DOT 01BTHBAC00420, AND LINE: NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WALMART LOCATED AT 10404 6TH ST RANCH CUCAMONGA CA. NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SAME FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100 FOR THE TIRE. *LN* *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11365713
Incident
Aug 29, 2020
Mileage
240,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 8, 2020

I HAVE A 1996 CHEVY TAHOE WHICH I HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW. I RECENTLY HAD MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE SHOP CHECK THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG BECAUSE THE CHECK AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS COMING ON DURING THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED TO ME THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE SENSOR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE EVEN AFTER A STATES WIDE SEARCH WAS PERFORMED. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS ONLY TO FIND OUT THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND NO REPLACEMENT PART IS AVAILABLE. THE PART NUMBER FROM GM IS #16162465 AND THERE IS NO AFTER MARKET PARTS. IS GENERAL MOTORS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS REQUIRED SAFETY ITEM OR WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST I DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID
11323878
Incident
Mar 30, 2020
Mileage
144,906 mi
Brakes
Filed May 3, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND PUSHING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, BOTH VEHICLES CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10862771
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Mileage
170,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Jul 20, 2014

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 1996 TAHOE WHEN IT JUST STOPPED! WE FOUND THAT THE KEY HAD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A THRUWAY WHEN EVERYONE WAS DRIVING 60 MPH. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION INDEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE YEAR I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. WE ARE ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE WIPERS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD OR JUMPING ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD POP, POP, POP.ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614814
Incident
Mar 20, 2013
Mileage
80 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 18, 2013

VEHICLE STOP SHUT DOWN COMPLETE WITH JERKING BEFORE SHUTTING DOWN STOP PULLING AND LOST ALL POWER NOW SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT IS ON AND WANT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AS IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10552736
Incident
May 17, 2013
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2013

PAINT STARTED CHIPPING/PEELING OFF FROM DRIVERS FRONT FINDER AND HOOD IN APPROX. 2009 TO TODAYS DATE (08/21/2013). PS WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND OUR TAHOE HAS BEEN KEPT UP IN TOP CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536532
Incident
Aug 5, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2011

UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEED STARTED INTERMITTENT NOW CONSISTENT IN UNWANTED ACTIVATION RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE IS A CURRENT CAMPAIGN FOR 1999-2002 THAT SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 1996 VEHICLES. CAMPAIGN NO. 05V379000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10429051
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 12, 2011

DRIVER POWER SEAT WILL NOT OPERATE . I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THE FAILURE OF SEAT WORKING PROPERLY AND HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL? I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE NEW AND THE ONLY DRIVER. I ONLY WEIGHT 90LBS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10406037
Incident
Apr 16, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

17NA073

EQUIPMENT

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Tahoe by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026203054.2
2025391049.8
2024603361.0
20232055364.3
20221784364.4
202143116468.5
2020553060.8
20191022056.8
20181013056.0
20171734054.1
20162558160.3
201565714157.9
2014903150.4
20132324150.4
20121783153.8
20114465152.4
20103144254.9
20092845152.8
20085284457.8
20071,1764560.4
20061144048.5
20052937052.3
20044665050.8
20035077358.3
20024496564.7
20015128665.8
200028210665.2
19995523562.2
19982634259.0
19974102456.2
1996Viewing2835764.1
19952468864.8
1994192356.8
1993802—
1992602—
1991300—
1989000—
1988100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.