Used 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Now at 308k miles and still strong
I bought a 2004 Z71 Tahoe 5.3l from the original owner in 2009. it had 94k miles. After owning the last 15 years, I can say it is the best, most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned. It now has over 308k miles and has the original engine and transmission. Changed oil every 3k miles. It has only had a few minor issues (1) 2 water pumps at 140k miles and 220k, (2) fuel pump at 235k, (3) driveshaft seal at transmission around 250k, (4) developed pin hole in transfer case at 275k, patched with JB Weld, (5) oil drip from main seal - apparently common with high mileage GMs - uses 1/2 quart between oil changes. It's a 5.3l Z71 model.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Transmission Needed Replacement at 81,000
Transmission failed at 81,000. Transmission fluid flushed and transfer case fluid serviced at 47,000 miles by Chevy dealer at a cost of $235.00. Service representative told me that the seal between the transmission and (I believe he said) the transfer case failed and the transmission fluid went into the transfer case. Caused transmission fluid to be three quarts low from the internal leak. Even though no fluid ever leaked out of the vehicle, the GM representative said it was my fault because the transmission fluid should have been checked at each oil change. The transmission failed while I was driving down the highway. Total cost of GM remanufactured transmission $3,922 installed.
- LS 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,90089 mi away
- LS 4dr SUVMSRP: $9,999217 mi away
- LS 4dr SUVMSRP: $8,950218 mi away
233K Miles and Still Running Like a Champ!
I purchased our 04' Chevy Tahoe new from the Chevy dealer in 2004 as our daily driver family car and let me tell you, it gets driven every day. It is the base model with cloth interior. Sticker price at the time was $38K. It is now 2015 and we have put over 233,000 miles on this same vehicle and it is still running like a champ with no mechanical issues what so ever. Praise GOD! The only issues we have had are the instrument cluster gauge went out at about 150K miles, which is typical with GM vehicles, and the A/C blower was replaced at around 180K miles. That is it. We have not had any engine or transmission problems of any kind. And to be quite honest we have never had the transmission service done ever on the vehicle like the dealer recommends, just routine oil changes about every 5K - 7K miles, sometimes we have even gone as far as 10K - 12K miles before the next oil change. Just check the fluid levels , (oil, Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid) from time to time and that is it. Needless to say I will be getting another Chevy Tahoe when the time comes, my goal is to get 500K miles out of this wonderful 04 Tahoe before that day comes. :)
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best SUV on the Planet!!
I traded in my 1997 Tahoe for a 2003 model. What a truck!! The LT model has every amenity on the planet! It is the most comfortable, best handling, and sleekest looking SUV anywhere. Don't even bother looking at another SUV...The Tahoe is simply the best. RAS
Known defects
This GM vehicle has suffered from some of the "known defects" by GM. The instrument cluster has been replaced under warranty, fuel pump became weak and been replaced, the actuators that control the airflow into the cabin become flaky and will start blowing hot air out (you have turn off the car and restart-I've gotten good at doing this while going down the road). The final straw with this vehicle - excessive porosity in the cylinder heads (again, a known issue with GM supplier's CasTech heads) allows steady leaks into the valve train and gets mixed in with the oil. It has gotten bad (1 gal/month) and now at 105,000 miles, this vehicle has to go unless GM steps up. TBD.