Chevrolet Tahoe / 1997
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Owners have filed 515 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 23.1% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 21.2%.
Complaints515
Crashes29
Fires3
Injuries12
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 23.1% · 119
Steering 21.2% · 109
Power train 12.0% · 62
Visibility 10.1% · 52
Fuel system, gasoline 6.8% · 35
Suspension 6.2% · 32
Electrical system 4.5% · 23
Engine and engine cooling 2.5% · 13
Severity
Of those complaints, 29 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 12 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 28 model years of the Chevrolet Tahoe in this data, 1997 sits 11th by complaint volume. 2007 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 6 in the last three years against 5 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,950 miles.
In owners' own words
Dealer reported that master cylinder failed, had to replace along with front brake shoes and pads, rotors turned. We were charged for all this, dealer charged that it was normal wear and tear. We have found numerous other people who have experienced the same problem. Think that master cylinder is a defective part..Unfair to charge owners for this...Could lead to serious crashes, mine failed without warning! Service brakes, hydraulic
The turn signals quit working at the dealer and they never did pin-point it. The 4wd system engaged on it's own at 75 mph and the trans, cut out resulting in no power and then it returned but the 4wd system was gone. The barkes failed and then started working ok. The parking brake was in need of adjustment every 2000 miles. The abs would kick in for no reason. Service brakes, hydraulic
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. Contact complained that while driving the abs brakes activated. Contact did not even have to be driving he could just put it in gear and the brakes will activate. When driving at speeds less than 15mph abs brakes will activate. No recall campaign #. No crashes. No police reports. No injuries. Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 65,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Chevrolet Tahoe years
1995 296 complaints · 26.4% seats 1996 390 complaints · 24.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 315 complaints · 24.1% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 677 complaints · 38.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 341 complaints · 29.9% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 607 complaints · 23.7% service brakes, hydraulic