2nd generation · GMT800 (GMT820/GMT830) · 3,192 complaints, 2,333 with mileage
Owners filed 3,192 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, and 2,333 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 45,236 and 117,000 miles. The median is 75,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (19.5% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles), the hydraulic brake circuit (11.9% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), the brakes (10.8% of complaints, typically around 121,000 miles).
1 recall campaign cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 622 | 19.5% | 70,000 | 48,000–100,000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 381 | 11.9% | 80,000 | 51,400–110,000 |
| Service Brakes | 346 | 10.8% | 121,000 | 88,200–160,000 |
| Steering | 179 | 5.6% | 47,895 | 19,990–80,000 |
| Power Train | 157 | 4.9% | 48,750 | 30,000–90,550 |
| Air Bags | 143 | 4.5% | 85,000 | 55,000–136,000 |
| Tires | 135 | 4.2% | 62,000 | 24,000–104,000 |
| Parking Brake | 123 | 3.9% | 45,000 | 28,000–64,305 |
| Structure | 122 | 3.8% | 84,500 | 56,985–120,000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 101 | 3.2% | 62,800 | 37,000–95,000 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 341 | 167 |
| 2001 | 607 | 384 |
| 2002 | 543 | 402 |
| 2003 | 628 | 490 |
| 2004 | 548 | 460 |
| 2005 | 381 | 310 |
| 2006 | 144 | 120 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 75,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 19.5% of complaints (622 reports, 501 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 100,000 miles.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 11.9% of complaints (381 reports, 276 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,400 and 110,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.8% of complaints (346 reports, 323 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 121,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 88,200 and 160,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 5.6% of complaints (179 reports, 128 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 47,895 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 19,990 and 80,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 4.9% of complaints (157 reports, 108 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 48,750 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 90,550 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 4.5% of complaints (143 reports, 85 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 136,000 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2003 model year drew the most — 628 complaints — while 2006 drew the fewest at 144. The median year sits at 543.
NHTSA records 1 recall campaign covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 3,192 complaints filed against this generation, 210 reported a crash; 77 reported a fire; 221 reported an injury; 17 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 6.6% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 45,236 and 117,000 miles, with a median of 75,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the hydraulic brake circuit are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 70,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Stepper motor failure in the instrument cluster causing gauges (most often the speedometer and fuel gauge) to read erratically or stop; GM issued a special coverage program and it was the subject of a class-action settlement.
Knock sensors sit in the valley under the intake manifold and corrode from water intrusion, setting P0325/P0332 and causing timing retard and poor performance.
Electronic brake control module fault causing false ABS activation and extended stopping distances at low speed.
Dashboard cracking above the instrument cluster and passenger airbag, widely reported across the GMT800 family.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 14V070000 | 2014-03-24 | Electrical System |