1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 410 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe, 3% of the 410 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 160,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own 2 GM vehicles. A 1997 chevy Tahoe and a 2005 gmc yukon. The chevy Tahoe isand has(for several years) experiencing severe cooling system malfunctions and has now totally failed requiring expensive and extensive repairs. I have always followed the owner's guide and the manufacturer's recommendations as to using only dex-cool coolant and as a result it's use has caused the described failures to occur. The use of dex-cool has corroded and eroded all of the components in my vehicle's cooling system from the water pump, radiator, hoses, thermostat, heating core, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10188941, filed 2007-04, 150,000 miles“While driving on the interstate at 65 MPH RPM went up to 3000 and the vehicle started to slow down,pulled to the side of the road you could smell something that was burnt I made it to a garage had it checked out I was told that the converter was burnt it got hot and blew trans fluid out the overflow and that at the least the converter would need replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #756011, filed 2001-12“The contact stated while driving the vehicle on the highway on normal road conditions, the engine suddenly stalled without any warning lights. It was also very difficult pulling over and controlling the vehicle without power steering and power brakes. This failure has been occurring since january 20th, 2006 and it has occurred about 100 times. The vehicle has been taken 10 times to various Chevrolet service dealers for this problem. It was also taken to two auto repair shops with independent certified mechanics. …”
NHTSA complaint #10151113, filed 2006-02, 170,000 miles“The vehicle experienced stalling and no starting. After replacing the fuel filter and the fuel pump relay, without success, the fuel pump assembly was removed from the tank. The wiring to the fuel pump and the fuel guage sender was melted together, and a great deal of the insulation was melted off one of the wires going to the fuel pump. The particular wire that was melted/burnt shows severe discoloration in the metal of the wire itself, as if from extreme heat. This is on an in-tank assembly!”
NHTSA complaint #745799, filed 2001-05“U joints break, causing the muffler to crack and break which may result in loss of control. Dealer replaced 2 sets of u joints and 4 exhausts. Dlr cannot determine the problem. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #837310, filed 1999-04Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10139019May 3, 2013This preliminary informational bulletin provides information on High Oil Pressure on Startup After Engine Replacement Concern.
- 10014959Mar 1, 2005Replacement of connector when replacing fuel tank module/fuel pump module.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 7% |
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 9 | 13% |
| 2023 | 18 | 8% |
| 2022 | 10 | 5% |
| 2021 | 17 | 4% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 21 | 2% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% |
| 2004 | 20 | 4% |
| 2003 | 20 | 4% |
| 2002 | 19 | 4% |
| 2001 | 16 | 3% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 27 | 5% |
| 1998 | 21 | 8% |
| 1997 | 12 | 3% |
| 1996 | 25 | 9% |
| 1995 | 3 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 16% |
| 1993 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
113 complaintsSteering
105 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
58 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
51 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology