1997 Chevrolet Tahoe: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 410 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (23% of complaints); the 1995 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 410 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While in motion seat belt would come undone or wouldn't unlock from lock in order to use. Brakes would slip. My boyfriend was killed in an accident because the seat belt malfunctioned which then caused the airbags to malfunction and the brakes stuck so he wasn't able to slow down sufficiently.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2020
“Brake failure due to brake line corrosion. Failure occurred while vehicle in motion at expressway speed, panic stop, brakes failed and nearly caused collision. Brakes do not work”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2018
“Lower right ball joint on vehicle failed causing truck to lose control side swipe a parked car and travel another 70 feet knocking over a stop sign. Drivers side seat belt did not hold me in seat causing me to go forward hitting head on steering wheel. I cracked a molar tooth and both knees were injured hitting the trim piece under instrument cluster. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I am the original owner of a 1997 chevy tahoe. The other day while listening to the expanding recall of gm vehicles I tried to remove my key from the ignition switch. To my surprise once the vehicle is started I can remove my key, shift into any gear and drive without a key in the ignition. Maybe this is due to the age of the vehicle, but it has only 148000 miles on it. Thought you would be interested to know. Could video this issue if you are further interested. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“Started vehicle ,after short warm up,applied brake and foot immediately went to floor. Blow out in rear line near back of fuel tank. Repaired line. In process of bleeding brake line another blow out occurred top of frame near rear of left tire. Purchased prebend stainless steel kit from "classic tube" and installed.$400. [xxx] good thing I wasn't driving. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“When pulling out of driveway, brake peddle went to floor. Pulled back into garage to see what caused the problem and found that the brake line running down drivers side frame rail was rusted through back by where it exits the frame to go to the t fitting for rear brakes. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2012
“Spare tire fell from under vehicle. Metal wire used to hold spare tire under rear of vehicle became corroded and caused the spare tire to fall from underneath the vehicle without warning. *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Jul 2011
“My wife was driving my 97 chevy tahoe home with my 2 kids in the truck when the rear brake line blew. Luckily she didn't have to come to a quick stop. When she got home I inspected the brakes and found the rear brake line rusted out and looked at the rest of them they are all rusted severely. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet tahoe. While driving at speeds of 65 mph in rainy weather, the windshield wipers would not function when turned on. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer but the contact called the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.”Owner report · Visibility · May 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that the ABS engages when the ground is dry and pulsates very hard when stopping the vehicle. The failure was noticed while driving 10 mph. He stated that this should only happen when there is snow on the ground or when it is wet. In november of 2000, there was a voluntary recall and chevrolet repaired the brakes. There were no failures for 18,000 miles. Currently, at 40,500 miles, the failure has recurred. The contact called the manufacturer and they stated that there was no recall for the brake failure. The failure mileage was 40,500. Updated 10/16/08. *lj the dealer replaced the left front hub. Updated 10/17/08. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
How other years compare
Check your exact Tahoe by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
NHTSA has 410 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most complained-about area is steering (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,475 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.