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4.2

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,693 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Aug 132007

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have a 1997 Tahoe two door 4X4 with 126,000 miles... transmission housing cracked yesterday. Upon investigation I see that Chevrolet has known about this problem for over ten years and have yet to correct the problem. I am very disappointed with Chevy. And their quality of workmanship. I hope something will be done about this for the american consumer. Should have bought a Toyota like my friends said ha ha. Seriously, quality should come before profit!!!!.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #32

Jan 112003

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
Automatic transmission failure. Extremely common to my 97 Chevy Tahoe. Required complete rebuild and lots of money. I called probably a dozen transmission repair facilities and almost all said I was lucky I made it to so many miles before this happened as it is very common in this transmission. All say it comes from a structurally flawed in design piece in the trans that breaks and of course completely contaminates the trans with metal and destroys the majority of the remaining parts.

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #31

Jun 202004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,254 miles
Normal driving conditions: Light traffic, non-towing, non-four-wheel drive

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #30

Oct 082004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 228,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Noticed a humming vibration under acceleration. Had transmission serviced but problem persisted. Then while traveling at highway speed (70) with cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly lost power and rpms jumped way up. Vehicle was then towed to a local transmission shop where it was found that the transmission cases was cracked. The crack occured due to the U-joint breaking. The U-joint could have been repaired for under $100 but now to fix the truck will cost $1700. Bad design in my opinion.

- Harper Woods, MI, USA

problem #29

Sep 122004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
My 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission just failed. Have no 2nd, 4th or reverse gears, always worked perfect until now. After a web search found out this problem is happening very much. Sun gear shell breaking on 4L60E transmissions. There is a big defect and GM has done nothing to fix the problems to all the GM owners. Seems they cut back a little much on quality control this time and don't seem to care about it from what I have seen. You probably heard about it before. Please help us get this problem recalled. I have not had any repairs done yet. Keep hearing $2000 to $2500 T0 fix this $40 part. Dealers want to replace transmission with new one just of this porblem. Does it seem right to you?

- Rockwell, NC, USA

problem #28

Mar 012004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles
At about 95,000 miles the service engine light comes on intermiittenly after the truck has been driven 20 to 30 miles, after coming to a stop, the auto transmission shifts from 1st to second so hard, it feels like it is going to come out of the truck. Once the truck is put in park and turned off, it is good again until it has been running for 20 to 30 miles. Upon doing some online reseach, calling a dealer and local mechanic, I have fount that it can be one of three things: 1) a sticking shift valve 2) accumulator piston or 3) a servo. No one can tell what it is without tearing the transmission apart. I have also found this is all too commom a problem for this transmission. Should be a recall, wiilll keep me from ever buying another GM product.

- Sturgis, KY, USA

problem #27

Apr 282004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The failures initiated back in June (27th) 2001. An hour on the nys thruway from buffalo going towards penn stateline. The transmission blew, throwing fluids everywhere. Towed to Continental transmission. Paid for the transmission to be replaced. Within the end of the 1 year warranty, the transission began slipping and bumping after 2nd gear before going into 3rd. This would occur after the truck was warmed up and following thruway driving. Once you exited the thruway, came to a stop; it started immediatelyand consistently. Seeing as I drove the thruway everyday, the problem occurred everyday. Took Tahoe back to Continental transmission. They initally didn't see anything wrong and asked that we advise in the future if it got worse. We took it back and forth, losing use of the vehical for weeks at a time. Finally, in Jan 2004, the tranny just stopped altogether and we had to tow to Continental. The truck supposedly had another tranny replacememt, as well as replacement of the computer. Once again, we were without the truck for 4+ weeks. We picked it up and the the next day, fluid all over the garage floor (of a newly built home!). took it back, another week went by. Picked it up, within another month, tranny was not kicking into 3rd...again. Took the Tahoe back to Continental, supposedly all new parts were put into the Tahoe. Yesterday, same problem, tranny not kicking into 3rd, when it tries, the RPM skyrocket to 6000 and you don't accelerate. Brought it back to Continental this morning. They called to tell me that they don't know what to do. They can't get us a new tranny, maybe a remanufactured tranny, but they will let me know after they contact the dealer. Am I the only owner of a 1997 Chevy Tahoe that has experienced these extensive defects with a GM automatic transmission? this is a travesty! please followup with Continental transmission, their number is 716-828-1121, ask for pat, the owner. He is just as frustrated over this as I am!

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #26

Mar 032004

Tahoe

  • miles
Proud owners of 1997 Tahoe. In the past year we have: Replaced rear axle seals twice, replaced the fuel pump and filter, replaced the 4X4 motor, repaired the radiator, replaced 4X4 actuator, replaced fuel injector (third time), replaced the upper intake gasket, had the transfer case rebuilt, replaced the alternator twice, replaced the manifold gasket and a fuel nozzle. Car has had recurring problem of coolant disappearing from reserve tank while no leaks could be found. When this happens and level gets low the vehicle will shift very hard from first to second almost jumping when you hit ten mph. When you stop and add coolant this stops. The last time it happened the engine light came on. The leak has finally been located in a very small hose but now I'm being told that the transmission is going out quickly and must be replaced. Great vehicle!

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #25

Jun 052003

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The brakes ABS system activates at every stop when the car downshifts from 2nd to 1st gear and when parking. Speed sensors have been replaced twice at dealership and still a problem.

- White Bear Lake, MN, USA

problem #24

Aug 272003

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • 32,000 miles
While driving at highway speed consumer heard a grinding noise. The oil and RPM needles started fluctuating back and front. Also, when this occurred consumer pulled over to investigate. When vehicle was put into reverse it failed to go backwards, hesitated, then jerked into first gear. Prior this incident, transmission was replaced for this same issue.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #23

Apr 112003

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The automatic transmission failed.

- Hillsville, VA, USA

problem #22

Jan 182003

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,600 miles
After driving 30 miles at highway speed, I stopped to exit the highway. When I began to turn left, I heard a loud clank in the rear of the vehicle. I continued for about 5 more miles and parked the vehicle. After allowing the vehicle to rest for approx. 8 hours, I backed the vehicle out and began driving home. The drive was approx. 30 miles at 75-80 mph. Iafter stopping to exit the highway, the transmission made a loud whinning noies as though it was slipping, the engine reved to about 3000rpm befor ethe transmission would shift. This happen ever time I excellerated from a stop or from slow coasting (3 more times in 6 miles). When I arrived home, I checked the fluid level, it was fine and there was no discoloration of the oil or any abnormal smell. When I attempted to back the vehicle, it would not go into reverse, I would drive forward, but the slipping continued when it was road tested by the repair shop. I loaded the vehicle on a trailer and trailered it to a repair shop. The following was found to have failed. The sunshell failed causing debris to be circulated through the transmission. The reverse gear did not function anymore, the torque converter was contaminated with debris and had to be replaced as it could not be cleaned locally. Sprage and numerous gears and bands were damaged as a result. Total cost of repair with labor and tax....$2453.17. There was no warning or condition that lead up to the failure. The vehicle only has 65,600 miles on it. Pretty sad performance for a tranmission designed for this type vehicle.

- Moriarty, NM, USA

problem #21

Jul 172002

Tahoe 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine starving, engine check light on. Had fuel injectors cleaned in August 2001. This time #6 fuel injector failure. Car is not old, not abused and many items failing ie: Parts of transmission. In the past year have had many major repaires.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

problem #20

Jul 192002

Tahoe 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle will not go in reverse, it jerks and changes over slowly and grinds. Transmission has failed for the fourth time. Dealer has been putting in new transmissions. Transmission seems to fail every 15,000 miles. Dealer was notified.

- Estell Manor, NJ, USA

problem #19

Jun 132001

Tahoe 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
After driving for 20 to 25 miles then coming to a stop. When you take off again car slams into gear from 1st to 2nd. We currently have $1,100. In service bills and still have not been able to have the problem fixed. In doing research found many other GMC owners have the exact same problem. We feel this should be investigated and hopefully recalled as a factory defect.

- Albany, OR, USA

problem #18

May 082002

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • miles
The drives seat bolts I believe are broken/gears get stuck in park constantly/right side head gasket had to be replaced due to massive leak of coolant/sound system makes whinnin gnoise on rear speakers and cd is inoperative/defective

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #17

Feb 132002

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While putting vehicle in park rear end fell apart. Gears broke and axle released. Vehicle started to roll backward and could not be stopped. Dealer contacted. Please add VIN.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #16

Jan 022002

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 65 mph, and without warning, vehicle started to lose speed. Rpms went higher than normal. All gears, except 1st and 2nd, failed to work.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #15

Jun 102000

Tahoe 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmissions problems common on Chevrolet Tahoe 1996-1998.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #14

Dec 252001

(reported on)

Tahoe 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on the interstate at 65 mph RPM went up to 3000 and the vehicle started to slow down, pulled to the side of the road you could smell something that was burnt I made it to a garage had it checked out I was told that the converter was burnt it got hot and blew trans fluid out the overflow and that at the least the converter would need replaced.

- Camanche, IA, USA

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