RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
25
Latest Jan 14, 2020
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.
9%
of 293 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 service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 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 brake

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

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 14, 2020

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THE RECALLS WAS UP TO DATE, MY CONCERN IS MOSTLY WHEN I SOMETIMES HIT THE BRAKES I HEAR A HUMMING SOUND. NOT SURE IF IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY RECALL OR NOT.

NHTSA ID
11299368
Incident
Jan 3, 2020
Mileage
255,004 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 2, 2018

NOTICED NOISE IN MY POWER STEERING ON INSPECTION FOUND TO BE LOW ON FLUID FINLEY FOUND LEAK AT BREAK SYSTEM. ON RESEARCH FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLUM ON MANY CHEVY AUTOS AND TRUCKS FROM 2003 TO 2006 THOSE ARE THE ONES I FOUND

NHTSA ID
11115363
Incident
Jun 20, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 2018

DRIVING TO HELP MY DAUGHTER AFTER SHE SLID ON ICY ROAD INTO DITCH CHRISTMAS MORNING, I HIT THE SAME PATCH OF ICE, WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID THE FRONT BAKE LINE WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND ALL THE OTHERS WERE JUST AS BAD. SAID THEY ALL SHOULD BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1700

NHTSA ID
11058389
Incident
Dec 25, 2017
Mileage
147,390 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Dec 12, 2017

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON HIS OWN, BRAKE ENGAGES FOR NO REASON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OFF

NHTSA ID
11054141
Incident
Nov 11, 2017
Mileage
190,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2016

TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR DURING OPERATION AND VEHICLE LUCKILY CAME TO A STOP WHEN PEDAL WAS GROUND INTO THE FLOORBOARD. BRAKE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM THE LINE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND IS AWAITING AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
10905877
Incident
Sep 11, 2016
Mileage
89,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 12/15/14. *JB UPDATED 12/18/14*CN UPDATED 02/24/15. *JB THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 9/25/15 *JS

NHTSA ID
10653924
Incident
Oct 3, 2014
Mileage
67,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2014

WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PRESSED THE BRAKE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR THE BRAKE FELT LOOSE. AS I GOT THE TO BOTTOM OF MY SHORT DRIVEWAY I PUSHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE BE LOOKED AT AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY BREAK LINE HAD BEEN RUSTED THROUGH. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 1 MONTH AND 10 DAYS AGO. I THEN DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE IS EVEN A REPAIR KIT; HOWEVER, THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL SO NOW THE COST IS ON ME TO FIX. 365.00 PER MONTH CAR PAYMENT AND NOW NEAR 1500 DOLLAR CAR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633170
Incident
Sep 13, 2014
Mileage
96,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2014

BRAKE LINE BLEW WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 Z71 CHEVY TAHOE. HAD NO CLUE UNTIL I TRIED TO STOP AND MY PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR NOT STOPPING MY TRUCK AND I RAN A RED LIGHT. THANK-GOD I HIT NO OTHER CAR OR PERSON! THERE WAS NO WARNING - NO LIGHTS - NOTHING INDICATING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, NOT EVEN A LITTLE DRIP OF BRAKE FLUID BEFORE THE BURST LINE. I TAKE MY TRUCK IN FOR IT'S FREE OIL CHANGES EVERY 5000 MILES. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME EVERY TIME ALL THE THINGS THAT NEED REPAIR OR WILL NEED ATTENTION SOON. AFTER GETTING UNDER MY TRUCK AND LOOKING AT MY BRAKE LINES, I WAS SO SCARED! HOLLY CRAP THEY ARE NOTHING BUT RUST. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN OVER NIGHT. WHY DOES THE DEALERSHIP TELL ME I NEED NEW WINDSHIELD WIPERS OR BELTS - (3 YEARS LATER I STILL HAVE THE SAME BELTS AND THEY ARE STILL FINE) BUT NEGLECT TO TELL ME MY BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND COULD BLOW AT ANYTIME RESULTING IN BRAKE LOSS! THAT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH ME BEFORE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS!!!!! THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO KNOW MY BRAKES LINES WERE THIS BAD - WHY WAS NOTHING SAID??? NOW LOOKING ONLINE I SEE I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NOR WILL I BE THE LAST. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT GM CONSIDERS THIS TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IT'S DANGEROUS AND COULD KILL SOMEONE. GM IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY - IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY FOR GM. SETTLEMENTS ARE CHEAPER THAN A TOTAL RECALL - THAT'S UNTIL DEATHS DO OCCUR AND I BET MY LIFE ON IT A DEATH WILL HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THESE BAD BRAKES LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631601
Incident
May 16, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts+1 more
Filed Jul 8, 2014

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY TAHOE, WHICH RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY PROBLEMS,I WAS WONDERING IF THERE ANY RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS VEHICLE...SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON...ABS LIGHT IS ON...SEAT BELTS ON MIDDLE SECTION DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY,IT GETS STUCK MANY TIMES...STEERING SOMETIMES GETS STIFF. *JS

NHTSA ID
10608895
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
88,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 20, 2014

BRAKE LINE TO REAR RUPTURED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES. HAD IT TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR. REPAIR COST WAS IN EXCESS OF $1,300. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604799
Incident
May 20, 2014
Mileage
67,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jun 11, 2014

ABS AND TC LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED AT SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE SPEED SENSOR WAS BAD, BRAKES WERE FINE, BUT NO ABS. TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY, AND VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOT OF NOISE (METAL ON METAL, ETC). HAD CAR TOWED, AND THE HUB WAS BAD. WAS TOLD WE WERE LUCKY THE WHEEL DID NOT COME OFF. HAD TO REPLACE HUB ASSEMBLY AND BRAKE PADS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597605
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2014

WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR SERVICE A STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FLUID AND BRAKES. I WAS TOLD ALL THE LINES, WHERE THEY CONTACTED THE FRAME, HAD CORRODED. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT FAIL DUE TO AGE OF VEHICLE. ALSO DEALER REPORTED THAT THEY ARE SEEING THIS QUITE A BIT IN CHEVY TRUCKS. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC IF IT HAPPENED ON THE OPEN ROAD. ONLY BY CHANCE DID IT OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN FOR OTHER SERVICE. A GM AGENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 7, 20014. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577415
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Mileage
63,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2014

BRAKE LINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573486
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
126,987 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 27, 2014

MY WIFE WAS OPERATING OUR TAHOE AND FELT THE BRAKES SEEMED "FUNNY" WE PROCEEDED ONTO THE FREEWAY FOR 40 MILES,UPON GETTING OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LAWS WENT TO LEAVE OUR DESTINATION AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE, TRACTION DISABLED FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY TOOK IT TO MECHANIC WHO SAID THE BRAKE LINES WERE "ROTTED TO PIECES" I PUT IT INTO THE SHOP AND HAD THE REAR LINES REPLACED AT A COST OF $506.00. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FRONTS WILL ALSO NEED TO BE DONE. I FEEL THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MATCH UP TO THE ROT INVOLVED ON THE BRAKE LINES IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10567221
Incident
Oct 13, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2014

AFTER ATTENDING MY NEPHEW'S HIGH SCHOOL BASKET BALL GAME, MY DAUGHTER AND I RETURNED TO THE TAHOE IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND STARTED TO ROLL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP AND THANKFULLY STOPPED THE TAHOE BEFORE HITTING ANYONE OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE IN THE LOT. LOOKING AT THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THE DASH LIGHTS, I REALIZED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME RAIL TO THE REAR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACING. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK AND WHILE BLEEDING THE SYSTEM A FRONT LINE WENT FOR THE SAME REASON, CORROSION. I HAD ALL LINES (FRONT & BACK) REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $800. TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC, IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE TAHOE, SILVERADO AND SIMILAR GM VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565732
Incident
Feb 19, 2014
Mileage
115,200 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 26, 2013

JUST AFTER COMING OFF OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY,SLOWING DOWN AS I WAS APPROACHING A SET OF LIGHTS,THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST PRESSURE,AND WENT TO THE FLOOR ON MY 2005 CHEVY TAHOE. THE ROTORS,PADS AND CALIPERS HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED 6MTHS PRIOR,SO I KNEW THEY WERE NOT THE PROBLEM. I FIGURED EITHER THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT, OR SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKE LINES. THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM AND BRAKE LIGHT WERE ON. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO COME TO A STOP. TURNS OUT,ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES ROTTED OUT AT THE REAR,CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK OUT,AND THE LOSS OF MY BRAKES. LUCKILY I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.VEHICLE IS ONLY 8YRS OLD,WITH JUST TURNING 100000 MI. IN MY OPINION, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING THIS SOON. *JS

NHTSA ID
10545501
Incident
Sep 24, 2013
Mileage
100,050 mi
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2013

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY TAHOE I BOUGHT NEW. LAST YEAR IN 2012 THE FUEL LINES COMING OUT OF THE FUEL PUMP ROTTED OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PUMP. EARLY THIS YEAR (2013) THE TRANSMISSION LINES ROTTED OUT AND ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED, IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR (2013) THE BRAKE LINES ROTTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. LUCKY FOR ME I WAS JUST LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS GM VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD EVER BUY A GM VEHICLE AGAIN. *JS

NHTSA ID
10545132
Incident
Sep 3, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2013

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 CHEVY TAHOE WHEN SHE LOST THE BRAKES. SHE SAID THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE WAS NOT IN ANY TRAFFIC BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP VERY QUICKLY. I THEN DROVE THE CAR VERY CAREFULLY TO OUR LOCAL SERVICE STATION ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT ONE OF OUR REAR BAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING ALL HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE LOST. THE REAR BRAKES HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH THE MECHANIC, HE SHOWED ME ALL THE RUST UNDER THIS CAR. HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE OTHER BRAKE LINE WERE ALSO VERY RUSTED AND COULD FAIL. I REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES WITH MATERIAL THAT WILL NOT RUST. IT WAS A VERY LABOR INTENSIVE JOB AND ALSO VERY COSTLY. PLEASE LET OTHER PEOPLE THAT OWN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE TO CHECK THEIR BRAKE LINES. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN TRAVELING FAST ON A HIGHWAY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 53K MILES AND HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR MANY YEARS. IT AMAZING AT HOW MUCH RUST IS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE GM WILL USE MATERIAL THAT DOES NOT RUST IN FUTURE AUTOMOBILES LIKE THIS!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10533625
Incident
Jul 23, 2013
Mileage
53,120 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2012

MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY FUEL AND BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE TOTALLY CORRODED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10487156
Incident
Nov 1, 2012
Mileage
44,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 2012

LOST BRAKES GETTING OFF INTERSTATE 20/59, SEEMS TO BE A CORROSION ISSUE ON THE BRAKE LINE GOING TO REAR AXLE. THE LOCATION OF THE LEAK RELATIVE TO THE BODY IS AT THE 2 L DOOR ALONG THE FRAME RAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482824
Incident
Oct 31, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 30, 2012

THE "SERVICE STABILITY" WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED, ABS WARNING LIGHT, TC TIRE DEFLATION, AND BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 13, 2012. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY AND THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BY MARCH 27, 2012 AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THE COMPUTER TESTER WAS ALLEGED TO SHOW THAT THE EBCM HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT CLEAR THE DEFECT AND THE SAME WARNINGS CONTINUED WHEN EVER THE CAR WAS WASHED OR BECAME WET FROM RAIN. THE DEFECT WAS SAID TO BE IN THE WIRE THAT POWERED THE EBCM IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE FIREWALL. THE WIRE WAS STATED TO BE FRAYED. WHEN THE WIRE WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED FROM ABRASION NEAR THE FIREWALL COMBINED WITH CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT. THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE ABS, AIRBAGS, AND STABILITY CONTROL AT A TIME WHEN IT IS MOST NEEDED. *JS

NHTSA ID
10453527
Incident
Feb 13, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2012

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUST IN THE BRAKE LINES CAUSING THEM TO RUPTURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED DUE TO LOW SPEED ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD. YOUNG CHILDREN WERE TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE. ALL BRAKE FLUIDS WERE IMMEDIATELY LOST AND BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE AT ALL. DASH WARNING LIGHTS DID NOT GIVE ANY FOREWARNING! VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442425
Incident
Jan 4, 2012
Mileage
105,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 4, 2010

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE IN A 2005 CHEVY TAHOE DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES ONLY 48,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10323648
Incident
Mar 15, 2010
Mileage
480,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2010

2005 CHEVY. TAHOE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT(LED PANEL) $300.00 REPLACEMENT VALUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10303778
Incident
Apr 22, 2009
Mileage
8,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2005

DT: ON AUGUST 19 2005 THE OWNER WAS TOLD BY A FRIEND THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORN OUT. THE OWNER CHECKED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT WAS WORN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS WORN. OWNER HAS NEVER USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE OWNER GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND SET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THEN THE TRUCK ROLLED FORWARD AS IF THERE WAS NO EMERGENCY BRAKE. THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10133898
Incident
Aug 19, 2005

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.

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