Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,321 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.

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Aug 192019

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 230,000 miles

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

This is in reference to complaint # 11327456 the address and the mph are incorrect. Please see form attached to this complaint # affected parts: Steering, brakes, electrical, elec, stability control and speed control this site wouldn't let me check more than 3.

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #20

Aug 192019

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 230,000 miles
There is a recall #04004. "brake hydro-boost relief valve" but my VIN# is not on the list. Over 64,000 vehicles were affected and there is a "#1" on the mounting surface. All of the units detected a machining error in the relief bore cavity for modules produced from a machine identified as "fadal #1" this can and has caused my 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe to have no power assist with my steering and no power brakes. I have found myself holding two feet on the brake pedal at a red light. And can not operate in small spaces such as parking garages and certain parking stalls. I wanted to know if there is something more that I can do in regards to this particular recall and find out if there is some mistake as far as my VIN# not being recognized but yet experiencing the same problems. My vehicle has become inoperable for that it is unsafe to drive with the no power assist and could cause a major accident...I want to see about receiving some aid in all this. This has been a issue since August of 2019. It has caused me to lose work for a lack of transportation. My credit has fallen behind because of not being able to make it to work and spending my savings on trying to guess at what is wrong with it. For it is my only vehicle. Now that the covid-19 is here is a double whamy! in dire straits - cali lovin my 4X4 - [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Menifee, CA, USA

problem #19

Apr 192016

Tahoe

  • miles
While driving I had a real bad clunking noise in my steering wheel.I took it to the victory layne Chevy dealer and spent a significant amount to pay for a defective intermediate steering shaft and column bearing replaced because I was concerned about driving it. Now my instrument cluster fuel guage is defective, the ABS light& parking brake lights don't come on with the key on or at all and there are no codes from the dealer.

- Ftmyers, FL, USA

problem #18

Jun 222009

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 102,500 miles

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

I have been seeing commercials about airbags not deploying on Chevy vehicles. My daughter was killed in my 04 Chevy Tahoe where the airbags did not deploy. She was thrown from the vehicle and also another person was in the car as well. Airbags on the drivers or passengers side did not deploy. The truck flipped several times. The drivers seat also lifted up and was split in to. We asked the investigators and our insurance company to check into why the airbags did not deploy and they said it was normal, but we knew otherwise. They did not take any further action.

- Sumter, SC, USA

problem #17

Jan 062014

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 56,119 miles
Hub bearing L/F noise have taking to shop wheel falling off.450.to fix.good thing I could have got into a accident or killed someone or myself.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #16

Feb 012012

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Steering wheel makes rattling or vibration noise all the time it doesn't matter what speed I am traveling at. Vehicle feels almost out of control. Constantly have to move the wheel to keep it on the road. No other issues other than standard wear and tear but this issue alone makes me want to junk the vehicle as I sure don't want anyone else driving it and feeling as insecure as I do.

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #15

Mar 222012

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 109,000 miles

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

Loss of right turn steering assist at idle speeds (e.g. while parking). This issue is widely reported throughout the internet. We lent a ton of money to GM and they need to be called to the carpet to remedy these issues promptly. Please have barack call me.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

Feb 012008

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,276 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. Whenever he made a right or left turn while driving approximately 25 mph or more, the steering wheel made a clanking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they were unable to find cause of the failure or hear the noise in the vehicle. They also informed the contact that there were no safety defects. The cost of repair for this failure would be $200 and there were no warranty or recalls. The Chevrolet manufacturer was not called. The failure mileage was 28,276 updated 04/16/10. Updated 07/14/10.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

problem #13

May 012009

Tahoe

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact noticed that whenever the vehicle was idling, the steering wheel would not turn to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 54,000.

- Broadhead, WI, USA

problem #12

Jun 052009

Tahoe

  • 77,000 miles
2004 Chevy Tahoe power steering failure and simultaneous loss of power brakes! it could have been a disaster if I had been going fast or in heavy traffic!

- Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

problem #11

Jun 162006

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact has experienced several failures with the steering shaft in her vehicle. While driving at any speed, the steering shaft fails and causes her to lose control of the steering. The vehicle will continue to drive forward and makes a loud humming noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the intermediate steering shaft failed. The vehicle was repaired at no charge. The vehicle failed two more times since the repair. The intermediate steering shaft has been replaced a total of three times. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that because there was no current recall on the failure, no compensation would be provided. The failure mileage was 12,000 and current mileage was 80,000. 4/01/09 the consumer stated she is still experiencing excessive play in the steering wheel, noise and uncontolled motion in the tires. Updated 04/07/09.

- Liberty, WV, USA

problem #10

Jun 272006

Tahoe

  • miles
The steering wheel had a bumping feel in it when turning left. After having the steering column lubricated the bumping feel returned.

- Pelham, AL, USA

problem #9

Oct 272008

Tahoe

  • 66,000 miles
Just bought a used 2004 Chevy Tahoe Z71 and my wife noticed as she was turning a bumping feel coming from the steering wheel. I investigated this and found out this is a very common problem in a number of GM vehicles not just this year Tahoe. There is something to do with the steering shaft. There are over 160 posts in one forum with GM owners complaining of the same incident. I will give a link if needed. Seems there is no fix for this other than GM adding lubricant to the axle, but it continues to happen again and again. I now need to get mine fix and it just seems that something should be done on a broad scale to fix this issue from occurring.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #8

Jun 112008

Tahoe

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact experienced steering failure in his vehicle. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel felt as if it would come off due to constant vibrating. The failure seemed to worsen when making turns. The failure would not occur at high speeds. The mechanic stated that the failure was due to the intermediate steering shaft. The dealer acknowledged the failure, but stated that there was no recall. The contact was informed that if the vehicle is repaired, the failure would increasingly worsen. He paid $216 for the repair. The current mileage was 57,237 and failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

- Platte City, MO, USA

problem #7

Aug 052008

Tahoe

  • miles
I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe that has 98000 mile, im 2nd owner. The steering intermediate shaft was making a clunking and knocking noise, which come to find out has been a known problem with General Motors. I contacted my local dealer and they told me that there is a new GM rep and she will not allow anymore good faith repairs. I am so disappointed in GM for letting something like this happen. They preach that they have the best vehicles. What bothers me the most is that they were replacing the intermediate steering shafts for a while, because they knew there was a problem, now all of a sudden they wont! that's bull !@#$. I will do everything in my power to get reimbursed. $182 is not alot to GM but it is alot to me. Can someone please help me in what I should do.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #6

Mar 052008

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. A local mechanic stated that the valve O-ring seal fractured. The steering was slightly affected while braking or parking. The vehicle became more difficult to stop and took longer to decelerate than prior to the seal fracture. The failure and current mileages were 88,000. Updated 4/21/08 updated 04/21/08

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #5

Sep 172007

Tahoe 6-cyl

  • miles
There has been a knocking sound coming from the intermediate steering shaft from my 2004 Tahoe. The sound has been happening for over a year like when I make a sharp turn parking etc. I know of this happening to a few of my friends Chevy trucks from 02-06. Odd that it hasn't been fixed yet.

- Healdsburg, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 012007

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • miles
2004 Tahoe with wobble in the steering mechanism. Customer states the steering mechanism wobbled while on the way to Florida. Customer had another incident with the front differential and carrier bearings. The consumer experienced a wobbling in the steering mechanism and the Chevrolet dealer corrected the defect in January 07. The consumer stated that he had an inspection performed in May 2007 at thielen motors which entailed a front differential pinion, carrier bearings, a related drive train elements and metal shavings in the differential unit which means possible defect. The consumer stated would like the defects investigated and reimbursement for the repairs performed on the vehicle.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #3

May 272007

Tahoe

  • miles
Clunking sound in the steering especially in a parking situation when you have to turn the wheel hard.

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #2

Jun 012005

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 9,000 miles
So many... where do I start? 1) at 9,000 mi. Intermediate shaft was replaced due to a popping feeling in the steering, at 16,000 mi. It is doing the same thing again. 2) at 9000 miles the instrument cluster was replaced due to a faulty tach motor making a buzzing/rattling sound, started making noise again at 13,000 miles took to dealer and said there is nothing wrong. 3) headlights flicker on and off on turns has been to the dealer 5 times since it had 9000 mi. 1st 2 times replaced a plug on alternator and said it was fixed, was not then said the found a bad connector still did not fix the problem. The problem still exists contacted GM and they were no help. 4) exhaust has been popping since new and sometimes after cool down sounds like something exploded 5) engine makes a noise when warmed up took in for service at 12000 miles and they cleaned oil pump pickup tube and said the oil pressure was not correct. This did not fix the problem took back in at 15000 and they stated no problem was found I was told the engine noise was normal. 6) the brakes pulsated when new took back at 59 mi. I was told to drive it and it would get better. Started again at 9000 mi. And they turned the rotors. Brakes started making a cracking noise in the front took in 3 times found no problem yet when I picked the vehicle up the last time at 15,000 mi the noise went away only to come back a week later. 7) when idling the vehicle vibrates bad!!!! dash will rattle and you can feel it in the steering wheel. I was told this was normal when the A/C was on yet it's worse when the A/C is off. Now that A/C is making a terrible noise from inside the engine compartment and inside the climate control box area. 8) engine has a miss at idle.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?