1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Consumer Reviews

A true "LEMON"

Written by: Disgruntled Owner on 02/28/2006

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LS Wagon

Review

I've always been a Chevy person. I owned their full size & compact Blazers, 1500 pickup & two extended cab trucks before throwing my money away on the Tahoe-Lemon. To test drive the Tahoe is to 'want' the Tahoe... roomy interior, smooth ride, just the right size. Unfortunately, to own the Tahoe is to 'be broke'. Poor mpg (less than sticker indicates) & Constant Repair! I have replaced the tranny, starter, alt, water & fuel pumps, windshield wiper moter (recall), front interior door handles, passenger seat belt assembly clasp/lock, idler arm, brakes & rotors several times, & plug sets too many times to count. Steering scensors fail on/off as do electronics, interior plastics are now breaking.

Favorite Features

Roomy interior (no one in my family is under 6'), front bucket seats are very cumfy, large cargo area, smooth ride and tight turning radius.

Suggested Improvements

Outside of making it mechanically sound so that every part doesn't have to be replaced I'd have to suggest that the dash-board drink holders be moved from in front of the air vents, redesign back-row doors to allow windows ro roll down more than 4 inches, and add rear windshield wiper(s).

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Professional grade?

Written by: Wobblerite on 01/31/2006

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LT 4WD Wagon

Review

Reliability has been low in history of this vehicle. Fuel pump at 33K, water hose quick connect corroded and broken at 40K, tranny died at 55K, Driver door handle breaking at 60K, Alternator @65K, windshield wiper circuit board @70K. Had Delco battery leak acid that destroyed battery cables. Parts counter at Chevy dealer recommended I get another brand because he had a room full of leaking batteries and Delco did nothing to redesign to prevent problem. With all this no wonder the term of endearment for this vehicle starts with "piece of". Now that everything has been replaced it runs great and I intend to keep for some time as tow vehicle for boat.

Favorite Features

Love the clean body style and roomy interior with well laid out instrument cluster.

Suggested Improvements

Standard headlights are not bright enough and low beams should stay on when high beams are on, not an either or proposition.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Reliability

Written by: ahunn on 09/17/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LT 4WD Wagon

Review

I've had a great experience with my 97 Tahoe. We're selling to make room for a Volvo wagon now that we have a baby, but if I could, I would have held onto this truck for another 20 years. Gas mileage is not the best, but reliable and safe.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Worth 20 Grand

Written by: Fortunate One on 08/12/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 2 Dr LS 4WD Utility

Review

Unless they make a new model or Hummer makes a 2 door, the value will go up on the body style. Its value is also in the power to weight ratio. It can pull more than I think it should. The spline on the drive shaft can be damaged. If you sell yours, always remember, if the dealers say it's hot, then it is. Anything that ever broke was for a reason directly linked to the condition it was exposed to. Plastic tabs for example on the interior, were not designed for endurance, but for ease of assembly. Put Baer disk brakes on all four, and replace injectors. Cost of repair much less than interest on new loan alone, exceptional recreational second vehicle.

Favorite Features

Size. Never too big, and never too small. Treads well, repair cost undercuts any new vehicle purchase of similar capability.

Suggested Improvements

Invest in this vehicle's available aftermarket upgrades. That is what the market is for. Unless you spend a fortune on a LR3 HSE, you cant find the perfect utility vehicle off the assembly line. Brakes, shocks, floor mats, seat covers, Michelins, alarm, air filter, etc.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Best SUV on the Market in 1997

Written by: Nick L on 04/18/2005

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LS 4WD Wagon

Review

I have had a good experience with my Tahoe, I have put in about $2500 in general maintenance about 1600 was labor. I put on a new water pump, alternator, brakes and cleaned the fuel injector, as well as other general maintenance. For 116,500 miles you figure that replacements parts will be needed. Very dependable. Will get new shocks soon, as I am starting to bounce. The platform is old but my 97 rides and handles better than my dads 01 Expedition Eddie Bauer. It is also quieter and the seats are more comfy. I gave it a 4 for fuel economy other than that it's a great vehicle.

Favorite Features

Size! Ride is good, and has good power. My body never gets tired after driving long hours. The seats are very comfortable. The cargo area is big enough for my to dogs.

Suggested Improvements

I have heard of problems for the fuel pump going out. My mechanic told me to keep the gas tank a a quarter full, as the gas keeps it cool. I wish Chevy would get rid of cheap plastic as some of my moldings have cracked. Also fit and finish, Why can't the Big 3 keep up with Honda and Toyota?

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so so

Written by: gt on 10/13/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LT 4WD Wagon

Review

Bought used with 51K on her. Ran great up to 80K. Timing chain broke, dinged the valves and $4,000 later had it back for a week before the timing chain broke again (dealer installed incorrectly) Now at 120,000 mile have had to replaced brakes and rotors three times, replaced alternator twice, transmission is going and the fuel regulator is about to go as well. replaced wiper motor as well. Comfortable/powerful ride, but will cost ~$10K to get another 100,000 miles out of it. Ready to move on to something else.

Favorite Features

Loved this SUV until the repairman had to be part of the equation. Comfortable and Powerful ride. Turning radius is great for such a large vehicle. Can carry anything you want to. Great in the snow.

Suggested Improvements

Interior plastics are cheesy. Drive train, engine and brake reliability are substandard. Rear windsheild wiper would be extremely handy

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Love / Hate Relationship...

Written by: WillySLC on 10/07/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LT 4WD Wagon

Review

We started looking for an SUV last year and when we saw this one, we had to have it. The Tahoe drives better than any other SUV in it's class. It is very solid on the road and gives great confidence. This much I love. I HATE the reliability. Immediately after we bought it, we had to have several fuel injectors replaced at about $500.00. Some time later, the fuel pump failed. We also replaced the alternator. All this in about a years ownership. Oh yeah, and the drivers door handle broke off. We also find that the lack of rear air conditioning is a major down side. So, like I say, we love to drive it, but it is a huge money pit.

Favorite Features

Solid driver, good performance, tows boat and trailer nicely.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability, Reliability, Reliability... Beware...

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Fantastic

Written by: NYShorty on 05/05/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LT 4WD Wagon

Review

I just purchased my used Tahoe in March of this year.I have to say I'm not disappointed.About a month after I purchased it I drove from New York to Florida and back without a problem. It took some getting used to but once you get comfortable with its size its smooth sailing from there. She drives smoothly on the highway and equally well on local roads.I was also surprised at the fuel economy.I was expecting to have to stop for gas at least 6 or 7 times and wound up only stopping 3 times.With gas prices these days that was a definite bonus. It's very spacious with lots of cargo room.I was able to fit the contents of a 1BR apt in it.I have no complaints.

Favorite Features

My favorite features are the running boards (i'm on the short side) and the very comfy bucket seats. Living in the Northeast 4WD on the fly is also a nice feature.

Suggested Improvements

The location of the cup holders sits right in front of the heating vent. If you have a cold drink sitting there it warms up quite quickly.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Reliability Problems

Written by: TahoeTrannyFailed on 04/04/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LS 4WD Wagon

Review

This truck has reliability problems of certain components. Steering sensors have failed twice, fuel pump once $900, transmission $3500. This truck has 75000 miles on it and never pulled a trailer, nor been used off road. Fuel pump and transmission will fail without warning and leave you on the side of the road. Steering sensors cause the truck to turn off the road or into the oncoming lane, but atleast you can get back to town to the shop. I paid 1997 prices and received 1977 reliability. If buying one be sure to get an extended warranty and a cell phone to call tow truck when it breaks down on the road.

Favorite Features

Power Size Plushness

Suggested Improvements

Transmission and fuel pump should be made to last longer or have some kind of warning to indicate they are failing. Suspension should be a bit stiffer, rolls too much when cornering.

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Great Vehicle, But...........

Written by: dadrab on 03/09/2004

Vehicle

1997 Chevrolet Tahoe 4 Dr LT 4WD Wagon

Review

My Chevy Tahoe has been a good experience with a few exceptions: 1)Reline brakes & turn rotors every 22,000 mile 2)Rebuild Transmission @ 97,000 3)2 alternators 4)replace mainifold gasket 5)Multiple leaks around windows & doors

Favorite Features

Plenty of room. Decent ride for a truck/SUV

Suggested Improvements

Expensive to maintain with all the necessary repairs.

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