The Lemon Index2004 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe is about average by owner complaints: 178 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 109, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Tahoe year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 467 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Tahoe year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 44K to 107K miles on the car (387 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 44K–90K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 79K–142K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 14K–85K miles
Recalls 5
- wheels 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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, 2…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 5 recalls
- seat belts 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALL…
- brakes 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 784 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Multiple driveability symptoms of long or hard starts, chuggle, rough idle and light or…
- Gen iii engine noise after hot soak restart
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4300–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle goes into reduced engine power and engine light goes on. Vhicle has been in the shop 4 times for he same problem.
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe owner · NHTSA complaint 10196317
More owner reports
At 37,000 miles, the speedometer on my 2004 chevy Tahoe has stopped working. Reading erratically or not at all.
NHTSA complaint 10172085
Speedometer stuck it will be at 50 sitting in driveway.
NHTSA complaint 10184501
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 109; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Tahoe year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (61%), speed control (10%) and engine (7%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
5 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,500 and 107,000 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 387 complaints.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Tahoe year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works