2004 Chevrolet Tahoe Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 467 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2% of the 467 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,250 miles.
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.
“2004 Tahoe lights (headlamp, running and turn signals) explode or burn out repeatedly due to the lens filling with water. Issue has been occurring since vehicle was new. My fault I have never taken it to the dealer, I have just been replacing the bulbs and draining the water. Maybe GM can look at improvements for the next generation of Tahoe.”
NHTSA complaint #10373226, filed 2010-12, 12,000 miles“Driver side fog lamp came free on the front bumper, dangling by the electrical cable in front of the driver side tire. Faulty engineering regarding the placement and secure of the fog lamp onto the front bumper. The large fog lamp eventually came free and obviously went under the tire, as it dangled directly in front of the tire at a high rate of speed, potentially causing a punctured tire and potential accident at a high rate of speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10179530, filed 2007-01, 13,250 miles“So many... Where do I start? 1) at 9,000 mi. Intermediate shaft was replaced due to a popping feeling in the steering, at 16,000 mi. It is doing the same thing again. 2) at 9000 miles the instrument cluster was replaced due to a faulty tach motor making a buzzing/rattling sound, started making noise again at 13,000 miles took to dealer and said there is nothing wrong. 3) headlights flicker on and off on turns has been to the dealer 5 times since it had 9000 mi. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168650, filed 2006-09, 9,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the rear passenger side brake lights failed to engage. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the rear passenger signal socket and the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 06e026000 (exterior lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 198,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10594759, filed 2014-05, 198,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10161011May 13, 2019This Preliminary Information communicates to technicians that the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) or the auto headlamps will not shut off when using the daytime running lamp…
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10137526Apr 27, 2018This Preliminary Information communicates to techniciansthat the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) or the auto headlamps will not shut off when using the daytime running lamp…
- 10129093Jan 24, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 5 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 16 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 2% |
| 2015 | 52 | 8% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 10 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% |
| 2003 | 8 | 2% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 5 | 1% |
| 1996 | 14 | 5% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
214 complaintsBrakes
86 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsEngine
26 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsSeats
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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