RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Tires & wheels Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the tire or wheel system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Tires & wheels reportsComplaints 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.
18
Latest Dec 21, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 507 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 18 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming tire or wheel

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Interior & seatsOther / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Dec 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE TIRE BLEW THEY MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO DETACHED THE SPARE TIRE, HOWEVER IT DID NOT DETACH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS STATED THAT IF THE SPARE TIRE DID NOT DETACH THE LATCH MECHANISM WAS IN SAFETY MODE. THE CONTACT CALLED A TOW DRIVER AND THEY ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE PER GMC OWNERS MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT REMOVE THE TIRE. THE TOW DRIVER CALLED ANOTHER TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THEY CUT THE LATCH MECHANISM OFF THE VEHICLE, AND THE TIRE WAS LOWERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT DUE TO THE SALT ON THE ROAD THE LATCH CORRODED. RYAN CHEVROLET LOCATED 911 HWY 55 BUFFALO, MN WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT DUE TO THE STATE THEY WERE LOCATED IN IT WAS AN INHERENT FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT STATED IT WAS NOT STATED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE CUT AND THE SITUATIONAL FAILURE SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE MANUAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 285,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED WHEEL BLOCKS, ONLY MADE THE VEHICLE LESS STABLE AFTER IT WAS LIFTED UP BY THE SPARE TIRE, BALANCING ACT. DESIGN PROBLEM UPDATED 10/1/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11055981
Incident
Dec 19, 2017
Mileage
285,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Feb 2, 2013

YOU CAN NOT LOWER THE SPARE TIRE,UNDER THE VEHICLE,THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM, THE PART THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE HAS A SPRING LOADED LOCK ON IT THAT CANNOT RELEASE BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGN OFF IT,THEIR IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE ABOUT IT (GOOD INFORMATION ABOUT IT) YOU NEED TO CUT THE TIRE DOWN WITH A CUTTING TORCH, THIS IS A BAD IDEA AROUND A GAS TANK, I CAN NOT EXPRESS HOW MAD I AM RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I CAN'T EVEN THINK OF THAT MANY CUSS WORDS,AND IT IS GOING INTO HEART A TACK MODE, I WOULD LOVE TO MEET THE ENGINEER THAT DESIGNED THIS, AND HAVE HIM CHANGE THE TIRE, FIRST YOU NEED A TOW TRUCK THEN A SHOP WITH A LIFT THEN TWO MECHANICS IF NOT THREE AND YOU THEN NEED A TRANSMISSION JACK TO PUT UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE TIRE TO RELEASE THE TENSION OF THE LOCKING DEVICE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE, AFTER YOU LET THE AIR OUT OF THE TIRE, I CAN OVERHAUL THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO THIS OR ANY OTHER CAR,BUT THIS IS A BIG BIG MISTAKE IN DESIGN,CAN YOU IMAGINE A LADY HAVING TO CHANGE A TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! IF A MECHANIC (MALE OR FEMALE) CANT DO IT,HOW CAN THE AVERAGE CONSUMER, DO IT? AND WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN A RECALL,I KNOW WHY IT HASN'T BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO PAY FOR IT AND FORGET IT,WELL I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT LOOKING FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS AND SONS HAVE ALL BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM,BUT IT CAN'T BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER CHEVY VEHICLE OF THIS MAKE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, YOU CAN NOT DO THIS SAFELY,NO I DON'T HAVE A FLAT TIRE EITHER I WAS JUST EXPLAINING TO THE WIFE THAT IT MAY BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT SO I WANTED HER TO SEE IT JUST INCASE SHE HAD A PROBLEM AND SHE WOULD BE PREPARED ON HOW TO HANDLE IT (WRONG) IT SHOULD TAKE TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES TO DO, CAN'T BE DONE,AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10496178
Incident
Feb 2, 2013
Mileage
89,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 17, 2012

TIRE TYPE: SIGMA STAMPEDE RADIAL SUV P265/70R16 111S, 6N-93 USA65,000 TIRE PURCHASED FROM TIRE KINGDOM KINGSLAND GA ON 09/24/08. HAD BLOWOUT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION ON 10/14/12 CAUSED $2,050.00 DAMAGE TO MY 2003 TAHOE. I SEE WHERE THE P265/70R17 HAS BEEN RECALLED. I BELIEVE MY TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AS WELL. I NEED INFO IF AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TIRE, THE SERVICE CALL AND THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. I DO HAVE THE REMAINS OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10480841
Incident
Oct 14, 2012
Mileage
114,150 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 1, 2010

WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TOYO OPEN COUNTRY H/T 111S OWL 265/70R16 WERE DRY ROTTED. WE PURCHASED THESE TIRES APPROX 2 YEARS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS STORED IN CLOSED GARAGE VIRTUALLY EVERY NIGHT. ONLY 30,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE TIRES FROM POINT OF PURCHASE TO POINT OF OBSERVATION BY TIRE STORE WHICH MEANS DRY ROTTING HAPPENED AT SOME POINT PRIOR TO 30K MILES. IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO US THAT THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME AND MY FAMILY SO WE ELECTED TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353284
Incident
Aug 30, 2010
Mileage
30,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 27, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES, SIZE P165/70/R16. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD DEVELOPED FATIGUE CRACKS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRES CONTAINED A LARGE BULGE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,300 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600.

NHTSA ID
10270032
Incident
Nov 8, 2008
Mileage
40,300 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jun 20, 2008

IN THE PERIOD OF 4 WEEKS I EXPERIENCED TWO HIGH SPEED TIRE FAILURES WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN VIRGINIA. IN EACH CASE I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL AND PULL OFF THE ROAD. IN EACH CASE THE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND OFF THE RIM. AFTER THE SECOND CASE I CHOSE TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRE REPLACED AND PRIOR TO ACTUAL REMOVAL I CHECKED THE TIRE STEM ON ONE OF THE 2 REMAINING (NOT NEW TIRES) AND DISCOVERED THE VALVE STEM HAD A SPLIT. THE SAME WAS DISCOVERED ON THE OTHER TIRE STILL ON THE VEHICLE. I ALSO CHECKED THE VALVE STEM ON THE LATEST TIRE THAT HAD GOBE FLAT AND IT TO HAD A CRACK. IT IS CLEAR THAT AT LEAST 3 AND MOST LIKELY FOUR OF THE VALVE STEMS FAILED CAUSING THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF TWO RELATIVELY NEW TIRES (LESS THAN 17 K MILES) AND ALMOST RESULTING IN TWO HIGH SPEED INTERSTATE VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231710
Incident
May 5, 2008
Mileage
75,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 7, 2008

EXPERIENCE TIRE FAILURE OF FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE ON 2003 CHEV. TAHOE ON 4/6/2008 WHEN RETURNING TO MEMPHIS FROM ATLANTA. WAS TRAVELING AT 70-75MPH WHEN ENTIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CAUSING A VIOLENT EXPLOSION OF TIRE. I STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE. THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS GONE FROM THE TIRE. THE REMAINING MATERIALS WERE NOTHING MORE THAN STEEL BELTING MATERIALS. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO THE WHEEL WELL LINING, FENDER, REAR DOOR, FENDER AND BUMPER AS WELL AS PAINT DAMAGE. THESE TIRES HAD 68,000 MILES ON THEM WITH APPROX. 1/4" OF TREAD REMAINING. I EXAMINED THESE TIRES AND VERIFIED 34 LBS OF PRESSURE PRIOR TO LEAVING MEMPHIS FOR ATLANTA. NO OBJECT WAS STRUCK IN THE ROADWAY. THIS WAS SIMPLY A TREAD FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223565
Incident
Apr 6, 2008
Mileage
69,100 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 14, 2006

TIRE FAILURE - FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LE 265/70R16 III M/S T/W 480 - TRACTION A - TEMP B- TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING BLOWOUT WITH DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. NO ROAD HAZARD - TIRE INFLATION (35PSI) (2003 CHEVY TAHOE 4X) CHECK 45 MINUTES BEFORE TRIP. LOST ALL TREAD. BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES AND OUT $500 DEDUCTIBLE. I HAVE THE TIRE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157506
Incident
May 4, 2006
Mileage
37,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical+3 more
Filed Mar 17, 2004

THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WOULDN'T ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS FOR 80 POUNDS OR LESS, BUT IT DID WHEN THEIR 62 POUND CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT. *PH OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: DRIVER'S DOOR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT RATTLES, STEERING VIBRATIONS/GRINDING WHEN TURNED TO LEFT, SUNROOF LEAKED HEAVILY WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH, DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, WINDOW MOLDING WAS LOOSE, STEREO LIGHTS FLICKERED, SEAT MEMORY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE TO PRESET MEMORY POSITIONS AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED, AND THE FRONT POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WERE INOPERATIVE. *SC

NHTSA ID
10065117
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 5, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED 4-WHEEL DRIVE DISENGAGED ON ITS OWN. SOON AFTER, CONSUMER ENGAGED THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND A SERVICE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON 4-WHEEL DRIVE DISENGAGED. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE IT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061489
Incident
Dec 16, 2003
Mileage
6,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Feb 19, 2004

4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER IT WAS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. *LA THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED UNTIL A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT ENGAGE. AFTER TRYING A SECOND TIME IF ENGAGED AND THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE MALFUNCTION OF THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A TURN, THE EMBLEM FELL OFF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, THE SEAT MECHANISM DID NOT WORK AND THERE WAS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE RUNNING BOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10059453
Incident
Aug 20, 2003
Mileage
5,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 15, 2004

ALL TIRES OR CUPPING, TIRES HAVE BEEN SERVICED FROM DAY ONE BY FIRESTONE DEALER. OUT SIDE COMPANY CHECKED FRONT END AND ALLIGNMENT AND ALL WAS OK. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED BY FIRESTONE DEALER 3 TIMES 6000, 10000, AND 16000 MILES, THERE OR 17800 MILES OF TAHOE NOW. THERE IS A WARRANTY ON TIRES FOR 12 MONTHS FROM PURCHASE BUT I CAN'T GET FIRESTONE DEALER OR CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED TAHOE TO HELP ME AT ALL.

NHTSA ID
10071209
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 10, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD POP SOUND FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A ROCK HITTING THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER. WE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL ANOTHER MILE OR SO, NOT REALIZING THAT OUR TIRE HAD JUST "POPPED". THE TIRE PROCEEDED TO GO FLAT. *LA

NHTSA ID
10049505
Incident
Dec 9, 2003
Mileage
6,899 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 3, 2003

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE ON 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. RIGHT REAR TIRE, TREAD PEEL OFF SIDE WALLS. SIDE WALLS BLEW APART. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045371
Incident
Nov 3, 2003
Mileage
8,900 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 23, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE VEH AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE FOR NO REASON. THEN THE COMPUTER GERNERATED MESSAGE CENTER ADVISES TO SERVICE 4WD. THIS VEH HAS LESS THAN 4000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES AND BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS ALSO

NHTSA ID
10019177
Incident
Apr 4, 2003
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 28, 2003

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017677
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 25, 2003

TIRE FAILURE. NEW VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 3,000 MILES. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. TIRE WAS REPLACED BY FIRESTONE AT NO CHARGE. FIRESTONE PERSONEL MAINTAIN THAT DRIVER RAN OVER SOMETHING AND FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY PUNCTURE. THE SIZE OF THE HOLE IN THE TREAD NOT CONSISTENT WITH THAT THEORY.

NHTSA ID
10011002
Incident
Mar 14, 2003
Mileage
2,700 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 13, 2003

THE RIGHT PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION/BLOWOUT.*JB *TS

NHTSA ID
10011686
Incident
Mar 10, 2003
Mileage
4,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .