2005 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls and problems

5 recalls and 293 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe.

5
recalls
293
owner complaints
9
complaints mentioning a crash
14
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2005 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls

Electrical system

NHTSA campaign 14V070000 · reported February 11, 2014 · Monroe Truck Equipment · 22 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Monroe Truck Equipment (Monroe) is recalling certain model year 2006, 2008 and 2009 Chevrolet C7500 vehicles, 2005-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles, and 2009 Ford F-350, and F-450 vehicles, equipped with Sure Power-brand battery equalizers or DC-DC converters containing a particular epoxy sealing, aka 'potting', compound. The specific potting compound used in the subject products for insulation was found to be capable of conducting electricity after being exposed to heat.
The risk
Once electrically conductive, the material is capable of melting and burning, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix
Monroe will notify owners, and Sure Power will replace the equalizers or converters, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2014. Owners may contact Monroe at 1-608-328-8127.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 06V417000 · reported October 31, 2006 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 794 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Certain vehicles originally built with cloth seats that were equipped with an automatic air bag passenger sensing system and later reupholstered with aftermarket leather seat cover kits are involved. Testing has indicated that the aftermarket leather seat covers can cause the passenger sensing system to malfunction.
The risk
If the passenger sensing system malfunctions, the front air bag on the passenger side may be disabled when it should be enabled, or enabled when it should be disabled. In either case, in the event of a crash that requires air bag deployment, a front passenger's level of injury may be increased.
The fix
Because a replacement leather seat cover that is compatible with the passenger sensing system is not available, general motors (gm) will repurchase these vehicles in accordance with the terms stated in gm's letter to owners. The recall began on november 6, 2006. Owners should contact gm at 1-877-477-1022 to begin the process of repurchasing their vehicle.

Seat belts: rear/other

NHTSA campaign 05V163000 · reported April 22, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
The risk
A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
The fix
Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

NHTSA campaign 05V103000 · reported March 18, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 707 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
On certain sport utility vehicles, the brake pedal pushrod retainer may be missing. If the retainer is missing, the brake booster pushrod could disengage from the brake pedal.
The risk
This could result in a loss of brakes which could result in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicles for the brake pedal pushrod retainer and install one if it is missing free of charge. The manufacturer began contacting owners by telephone on march 10, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Power train: manual transmission, shift pattern indicator

NHTSA campaign 05V055000 · reported February 14, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 7,194 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator located in the instrument panel cluster may not illuminate. If the shift lever position indicator does not illuminate, the driver may not know which gear the vehicle is in.
The risk
The vehicle may move in an unintended direction resulting in possible injury to others outside of the vehicle.
The fix
Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on february 14, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 10, 2026 · Tires

P 285 50 R20 Cooper Discoverer HT blew out on Mass Tpke I 90 EB on Aug 8 @ approx 7:00pm while driving. Whole center section came off right rear tire leaving only the sidewalls on the rim. was able to manuever vehicle off I 90 EB off to the shoulder. Vehicle was towed of Turnpike to safe location. Attempting to reach…

May 9, 2025 · Electrical system · 260,000 miles

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while attempting to check the Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 42,000 and upon checking the Carfax, it was…

Jan 29, 2025 · Air bags · 136,000 miles

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated while starting the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The independent mechanic determined that the passenger’s side sensing system had failed…

Mar 19, 2022 · Power train

The gear shifting doesn’t seem to grab properly all the time. It will lurch into gear sometimes and sometime won’t engage in the gear indicated. The indicator lights dimmed and now don’t illuminate so you don’t know what gear you are in. It seems like this is a specific recall to my vehicle but when I enter my vin it…

Oct 27, 2020 · Electrical system · 97,500 miles

REAR HATCH/WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN VIA REMOTE KEYFOB NOR DRIVER DOOR BUTTON. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT RESIDENCE. FOUND THAT I COULD NOT OPEN HATCH NOR WINDOW MANUALLY FROM IN OR OUTSIDE WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD.

Tahoe model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2002 3448428
2003 4507209
2004 2467257
2005 5293914
2006 311444
2007 41,1772627
2008 452865

Across all years, the 2007 Tahoe has the most complaints (1,177). All Chevrolet Tahoe years →

Questions

Does the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe, the most recent reported on February 11, 2014 (Electrical system). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe?
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (126 complaints), followed by power train (24).
How many 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe complaints mention a crash or fire?
9 of 293 complaints report a crash and 14 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 10, 2026.