RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Tahoe Electrical Problems

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

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
24
Latest Dec 13, 2021
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.
21%
of 114 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.
4
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 the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 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 electrical

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

AirbagsElectrical
Filed Dec 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the dashboard lights failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the dashboard lights would illuminate at times after he disengaged and engaged the dashboard lights switch several times or after pounding on the dashboard. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights would inadvertently turn off and on independently while driving. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light had been illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

NHTSA ID
11443695
Incident
Dec 13, 2019
Mileage
230,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 24, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while parked, the contact was notified that the front passenger side headlamps caught on fire while the high beam was engaged. The contact extinguished the fire with two water bottles. The contact stated that no injuries were sustained. The failure was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,093.

NHTSA ID
11441640
Incident
Nov 24, 2021
Mileage
170,093 mi
ElectricalEngineSeat belts
Filed Aug 14, 2018

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ID
11119972
Incident
Apr 18, 2017
Electrical
Filed Jan 27, 2017
Fire reported

HVAC BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER.

NHTSA ID
10947923
Incident
Jan 24, 2017
Mileage
184,253 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 23, 2015
Fire reported

HEATER SHORTED OUT CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. FIRE ENGULFED THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR INTO THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. WE HAD THE HEAT ON SETTING 4. SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. TURNED OFF THE HEATER. WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF VENTS. DECIDED TO GET OFF AT NEXT EXIT AND GET IT LOOKED AT. PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, BLACK SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. WITHIN A MIN. OR TWO THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

NHTSA ID
10795345
Incident
Oct 28, 2015
Mileage
130,556 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF, THE KEY BECAME STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID
10749562
Incident
Aug 14, 2015
Mileage
210,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 12, 2015

TAHOE FLASHES SERVICE STABILITY, STABILITY SYS DISABLED, TURN SIGNAL ON WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE TAHOE FLASHES SERVICE STABILITY AND OR STABILITY SYS DISABLED IT SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. THE TAHOE DOES NOT LIKE BEING IDLE OR TURNING ON THE AIR AS IT WILL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS EVERYTHING LOCKS UP AND YOU MAY/NOT CAN PULL OVER IN TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS ELECTRICAL OR NOT. A LOT OF FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS WHEN I GOOGLED THE ERRORS.

NHTSA ID
10733482
Incident
Jul 12, 2015
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE WHEEL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ODOR COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10669670
Incident
Sep 22, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE FAILED TO UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10669618
Incident
Nov 6, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 30, 2014

MY LIFTGATE ACTUATOR FAILED, MY CAR WAS NOT LOCKABLE I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF MY CAR IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED NOT IN STOCK NOT ORDER ABLE. I WAS TOLD TO ORDER IT ON LINE I DID INSTALLED AND FAILED IN 11 DAYS. THE PART WAS SOLD BY DOORMAN MADE IN CHINA. I BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS AND I'M TOLD BY AN AMERICAN COMPANY TO BUY SOMETHING MADE IN CHINA DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10651496
Incident
Sep 30, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 23, 2014

HELLO THE 2006 TAHOE HAS A SERVICE AIRBAG SOON ACTIVATED . IT IS A FOUR WHEEL DR VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649359
Incident
Jun 10, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 9, 2014

THE REAR LIFT GATE SOLENOID GOES BAD WHICH PREVENTS REAR WINDOW AND DOOR FROM UNLOCKING. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE ON 05 AND 06 TAHOE, SUBURBAN, HUMMER AND YUKONS WHICH I'M ASSUMING ARE USING THE SAME PART. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643477
Incident
Sep 18, 2014
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 8, 2014

I CAME OUT TO PUT SOME ITEMS IN MY TAHOE, I PRESSED THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY REMOTE TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE AND TO MY SURPRISE I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR OR THE WINDOW! *TR

NHTSA ID
10567923
Incident
May 25, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 15, 2014

THE TAILGATE ACTUATOR WILL NOT OPEN THE LIFTGATE OR GLASS ON THE TAIL LIFTGATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NO KEY ACCESS ON THE EXTERNAL PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE FOR THE LIFTGATE. CURRENTLY I HAVE NO WAY OF OPENING THE LIFTGATE OR GLASS. IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT NOW, THE THIRD ROW PASSENGERS HAVE NO MEANS OF EXITING THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560148
Incident
Jan 14, 2014
Mileage
185,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 22, 2013

2006 CHEVROLET TAHOE TAIL GATE WILL NOT OPEN. THE KEY FOB IS THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IT-THERE IS NO KEY LOCK ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TAILGATE, AND TO MY UTTER SHOCK---NO INTERIOR LATCH TO UNLOCK THE TAILGATE FROM THE INSIDE. THERE IS ALSO ABSOLUTELY NO WAY TO UNLOCK THE WINDOW SEPARATELY FROM THE TAIL GATE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE-AND AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE-A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY--BEFORE SOMEONE BECOMES TRAPPED IN A CAR ACCIDENT OR VEHICLE FIRE. VERY DISAPPOINTED CHEVROLET HAS DONE NOTHING TO DATE TO SOLVE THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM!! I NOW HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS USELESS-AND CHEVROLET NEEDS TO DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO RESOLVE HIS DEFECTIVE AND FAULTY EQUIPMENT---IMMEDIATELY! *TR

NHTSA ID
10526044
Incident
Jul 21, 2013
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 28, 2013

NOT SURE EXACTLY THE DATE IT STOPPED WORKING, BUT THE TAILGATE WILL NOT LOCK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ACTUATOR GOES BAD AND IT WOULD COST NEARLY $500 TO REPLACE. SO EVEN WHEN I LOCK THE DOORS TO THE VEHICLE, ACCESS CAN STILL BE GAINED THROUGH THE TAILGATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10500725
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed May 1, 2012

WE ARE UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE WITH THE FOB. SO, WE CONTINUED TO LOOK FOR A KEY LATCH AND TO OUR SHOCK WE REALIZED IT COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY. AFTER A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AND ANGUISH OF TRYING TO LOAD GROCERIES THROUGH THE BACK SEAT AND HAVING TO LITERALLY GO OVER 3RD ROW SEAT TO PUT GROCERIES IN CARGO AREA, WE THOUGHT HOW AWFUL IT WOULD BE IF WE NEEDED TO EXIT OUT THE BACK DOOR IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. WE DISCOVERED WE COULD NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN THE LIFTGATE FROM THE INSIDE EITHER. IT GAVE ME A VERY UNEASY FEELING AS WE TRANSPORT CHILDREN TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THIS PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. WE CONTACTED A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO EVEN CHECK OUR VEHICLE UNLESS WE FORK OVER $120.00+ AND THEN WE HAVE TO WAIT A WEEK FOR THEM TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. THIS IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO US AS WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN THE CHEVROLET NAME, WELL WE ARE NOT SO SURE NOW. *JS

NHTSA ID
10457036
Incident
Apr 29, 2012
Mileage
100,150 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 4, 2012

THE REAR DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON MY TAHOE HAS FAILED. MY REAR DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AT ALL. IT IS SUPPOSED TO LOCK ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR FOR SAFETY IT DOES NOT. I HAVE THE 3RD ROW SEATING AND USE IT FREQUENTLY FOR MY KIDS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY TAHOE OWNERS. THE ONLY PLACE I CAN FIND A REPLACEMENT PART IS THROUGH GM AND IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PARTS. *KB

NHTSA ID
10446702
Incident
Feb 4, 2012
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 19, 2011

2006 LIFT GATE WILL NOT OPEN AFTER 68,000 MILES, DEALER WANTED 500.00 TO FIX.. WHAT A RIP OFF ALSO A VERY SAFETY CONCERN FOR CHILDREN & PETS...ALSO LOADING ISSUES..IN SHORT TERMS SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A (T O Y O T A ) THEY ARE BUILT TO LAST ..END OF STORY.. CHEVY SUCKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10420766
Incident
Aug 15, 2011
Mileage
68,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2011

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEMS. STARTED WITH A BATTERY LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON, WITH A GOOD CHARGE ON THE BATTERY AND FROM THE ALTERNATOR (BOTH CONFIRMED WITH ELECTRIC METER). ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL GAUGE. GAUGE SHOWS 1/4 TO 1/2 TANK, AND LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON. FILLING THE TANK AT THAT TIME TAKES 22-23 GALLONS, WITH A 23 GALLON TANK CAPACITY. ALSO GETTING A SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INTERMITTENTLY. CHECKING THE TIRE PRESSURES, ALL TIRES SHOW 38 TO 42 PSI, OR OCCASIONALLY THE LFT OR LRT SHOWS --PSI. TIRE PRESSURES CONFIRMED WITH A TIRE GAUGE. SO FAR ALL OTHER GAUGES ARE WORKING GOOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384421
Incident
Jan 20, 2011
Mileage
147,868 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2011

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY TAHOE Z71. IN LATE 2008 IT BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DVD PLAYER, BATTERY DRAIN/DEAD, STEREO SYSTEM, WARNING MESSAGES, AND FINALLY THIS LAST TIME MY ENTIRE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED BOTH ELECTRONICALLY AND MECHANICALLY LEAVING US STRANDED FOR A WEEKEND. WE THEN HAD TO DRIVE HOME IN THE SNOW/ICE THINKING WE HAD SOME 4 WHEEL DRIVE BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON AND NO WARNING LIGHTS TOLD US OTHERWISE. WE COULD OF BEEN KILLED WITH NO 4 WHEEL DRIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS AFTER A HUGE STORM. I PUT TRUST IN MY TAHOE AND IT LET ME AND MY FAMILY DOWN AND NOW WE WANT IT GONE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF 17 VISITS AND 33 DAYS FOR THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS. EVEN WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WE HAVE HAD TO PAY A LOT OF OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR REPAIRS AND RENTAL CARS. I NO LONGER TRUST THE VEHICLE. I TOO HAVE HAD THE TAILGATE HANDLE ISSUE AS WELL. 2-3 X NOW. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. I TRIED TO GET A NEW CAR FROM THE LEMON LAW BUT I WAS NOT ELIGIBLE TIME WISE. IT SEEMS THE CAR IS FLAWED AND NOT FIXABLE. IT HAS LESS THAN 60K MI ON IT. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS I WILL HOLD GM RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT TAKING ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384403
Incident
Nov 27, 2010
Mileage
35,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 30, 2010

REAR LIFTGATE ACTUATOR HAS FAILED. SAFETY ISSUE WITH CHILDREN IN REAR OF VEHICLE AND LACK OF ACCESS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. GM SHOULD RECALL THIS PART ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10368270
Incident
Jul 12, 2010
Mileage
121,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 22, 2008
Crash reported

HORN IS INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. WAS PARKED IN SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT WHEN I NOTICED A TRUCK BACKING UP OUT OF THEIR SPOT. NOTICED TRUCK WAS REALLY CLOSE AND WHEN I TRIED HONKING TO WARN THEM TO STOP, THEY ACTUALLY HAD BACKED INTO MY VEHICLE CAUSING THEIR PAINT TO RUB OFF AND CREASE MY REAR FENDER. I GOT OFF MY VEHICLE TO SPEAK TO THE DRIVER WHEN THEY PULLED FORWARD AND DROVE AWAY. TOOK MY TRUCK TO DEALERSHIP FOR PROBLEM AND WAS FIXED DUE TO A FAULTY FUSE, TOOK TRUCK IN AGAIN ON 3/21/08 BECAUSE HORN STILL WORKED SPORADICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222004
Incident
Jan 17, 2008
Mileage
31,222 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 9, 2006

WE OWN A 2003 CHEVY. TAHOE WITH 45000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE OIL GAUGE INITIALLY PEGGED FOLLOWED BY THE SPEEDOMETER PEGGING AT 120 MPH. OTHER SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL LOCKING DOOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10175686
Incident
Dec 5, 2006
Mileage
44,800 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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .