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7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$270
Average Mileage:
56,250 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace handles (4 reports)
  3. needs to be a recall (2 reports)
  4. make them out of something other than plastic (1 reports)
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 252014

Tahoe LTZ 5.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,000 miles

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

Just purchased used 2008 Tahoe LTZ, beautiful vehicle. It was a good deal and low miles. Had it two weeks when the door handle on passenger side came out when I was opening door. I have been wanting a Tahoe for a long time. This was very disappointing to me when it happened. I was looking up the price of a new handle when I saw your web page. Very surprised to see that this handle problem is happening to other Tahoe owners.I agree that they should not have used the plastic. I see that they continue to use it in later models also. Can this webpage contact the GM people and let them know about the problem. I know if I contact a dealer they will give me the run around about warranty etc. When I bought the vehicle I purchase insurance for it so the handle should be covered.

- vvela, Houston, TX, US

problem #12

Oct 012014

Tahoe LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I have had numerous people tell me I will have problems with the door handles and did not think it would effect my vehicle. Well, just had both the handles break on the passenger side of the car. Dealership say about $280.00 per handle to replace. Have asked dealership if there was a recall or campaign on them to find out there was nothing they can do, and extended warranties don't cover them either (maintenance item - BS) - Another GM problem they are ignoring (like their previous problems with brake rotors)

I think we definitely need to make sure we don't bail them out again because with these quality issues and GM ignoring them they will be asking to be bailed out again soon. No one is going to buy cars with costly problems that the manufacture is not going to stand behind, and from what I am reading the replacement handles will fail as well. Apparently someone at GM needs a wake-up call and shown a dictionary on the term "customer satisfaction" (which by the way leads to future car sales). - Well, I am done complaining - the only thing GM understands is when the cash stops flowing in - done buying GM.

- gmstepup, Oologah, OK, US

problem #11

Sep 212009

Tahoe LTZ 5.3L V8 - Flex-Fuel

  • CVT transmission
  • 76,700 miles

A little over 1 yr after purchase in 2009 the back 2 door handles broke and fell off within a day or 2. Brought it to Chevy Dealer that I bought the truck from and they fixed it under warranty. They said it is a KNOWN issue but they cannot replace it with anything other than the original PLASTIC chrome handles.

Update from May 22, 2014: Previously Bought in NJ (dealership went under and I lost the warranty that they gave me which was better than the factory one) And we moved to Ft Hood TX. In 2010 Around October both Back door handles broke AGAIN. Dealer in TX actually DID replace the handles AGAIN, at around 25000 miles. Also they did put this info under my VIN so it was documented. But NJ did NOT.

Update from May 22, 2014: In 2012 the door handles BROKE AGAIN near 60k Miles. Went to a dealer where we were stationed in NC, and they replaced them but did not put it under the VIN. So Chevy did not know, dealer is no longer there. (Thought Shallotte but ended up taking it further north near Fayetteville). Replaced. AGAIN under warranty because it was the 3rd time they broke.

Update from May 22, 2014: 4th replacement, this time the dealer in Myrtle Beach SC would NOT cover this issue. He was only able to find 1 documented case where it was replaced in Texas (dealer still in business) It cost $266 and they DID NOT replace the actuator as Tony in the Body Shop says it will cost an extra $200 +labor for replacement and it will break AGAIN. This is a KNOWN issue and there is NOTHING they can do. Mind you I've had both back door handles and actuators replaced 3 times already. Found a site that offers a fix for the actuator, and only costs $86 but I have to buy it put it in and send them back the old one. http://www.gruvenparts.com/2008-2013-gm-door-lock-actuator-rebuild/ Will end up buying this and putting it in myself since more than $200 for each plus labor is beyond my price range for something that SHOULD be covered under a lemon law if the dealers were still in business, or uploaded the info into their database (we're military and moved a LOT, so some of the paperwork has been lost in the move, ofc!) Vehicle has 76700 now when the handles have been replaced.

- dverrillo, Myrtle Beach, SC, US

problem #10

Nov 302014

Tahoe LTZ 5.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,482 miles

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

This truck has had three handle replacements already and now it broke again, that is one too many times.

- Christopher R., Missouri City, Teaxs, US

problem #9

Dec 272012

Tahoe LTZ 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

Definitely not well thought out by GM engineers. The chrome is cheap. Should have put a metal inner lay for better support.

- Michael F., Parkersburg, WV, US

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problem #8

Apr 142010

Tahoe LTZ 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

Rear drivers side chrome door handle fasteners failed. The handle would pull away from the door.

- Joseph K., Burnsville, MN, US

problem #7

Dec 242011

Tahoe LTZ 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

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

back passenger door handle broke when opening door. When you spend this kind of money on a vehicle. You would think that will last longer than 5 or 6 yrs. Since we bought it this yr. we had to replace the front wheel hub because the bearing was shot. the 3rd row seats broke trying to remove them. Fixed that, done myself.

- comotion59, Macon, GA, US

problem #6

Mar 042011

Tahoe LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

My 2008 Chevy Tahoe has the handles breaking off as well! I had it fixed previously already once. The same door is doing is again, the lock won't unlock and the chrome handles pulls away from the vehicle on one side on 3 doors currently.

Unbelievable. Of course, it's out of warranty, don't see anything on Chevy website about manufacturer defect. Also, the dash has already cracked in two places. Granted I live in HOT FLORIDA, but the cheap plastic dash SHOULD NOT HAVE cracked already. They certainly don't make them like they used to. It's a piece of junk. I will NEVER buy another CHEVY as long as I live. This is the reason why I buy foreign!

And we bailed them out for this! To continue to produce overpriced junk so they can continue their lifelong Union benefits for lazy US workers! What is this country coming to.

- wildbirdie, Delray Beach, FL, US

problem #5

Jan 102011

Tahoe LXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Dealer says the fix is a new handle installed $253.00. AND it's a little plastic gimmick that keeps breaking. This should be a recall with a permanent fix!!!!

- sherrellsk, Kelso, WA, US

problem #4

Dec 272010

Tahoe LTZ V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

Someone opened the door from the rear drivers side and popped the handle off. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe how cheap Chevy cars are, this is what they bailed them out for? Luckily I researched the part and it only cost on average $30. Lets see how much it will cost to get it reinstalled. Will update.

- cityguy, Fayetteville, NC, US

problem #3

Oct 112010

Tahoe LTZ 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

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

GM sucks, this is the 3rd time the handle has broken, I guess my 10 yo nephew is too strong and breaking them

- dulany, Belle Glade, FL, US

problem #2

May 152010

Tahoe LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

Driver's side exterior door handle pulled off the door while i was opening the door. The Chevy service department acknowledges a problem, but says there is no solution other than replacing with the same parts (original faulty parts).

- Phillip E., Mount Pleasant, SC, US

problem #1

Aug 072010

Tahoe LTZ

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

Passenger exterior door handle fell off when opened by my wife. Per Chevy's service department, they still do not have a solution to fix the problem other than replacing with the current (faulty) parts.

- Phillip E., Mount Pleasant, SC, US

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