Used 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Consumer Reviews
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$$$$$ EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN $$$$$
Remodelman, 12/18/2017
updated 01/05/2022
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (5.3L 8cyl 4A)
13 of 17 people found this review helpful
We owned a Chevy Astro van several years ago. We sold it because it was nickel-and -dimming us way too frequently. We switched to Ford products and noticed a dramatic difference with over 250,000 miles on the Explorer we sold after buying this Tahoe. We bought a Tahoe because the Ford SUV's were blowing spark plugs out of the heads. We purchased a used Tahoe that was sourced from a mature private party after having the vehicle checked-out professionally. Maintenance records indicated that the transmission had already been replaced by a dealer under warranty at 30,000 miles. I have two major gripes with this vehicle: 1. The vehicle is in the process of nickel-and-dimming us with repairs needed such as the rear heater core for the passenger compartment leaking, the electronic instrument cluster going out, and the four wheel drive selector switch getting stuck in 4WD for no apparent reason. 2. The transmission: While in overdrive and in cruise control on the highway at speed, the transmission downshifts consistently (too often) at every little rise in the road. My independent transmission repair facility tells me that's the way it's designed. WHY? This is a well designed, comfortable vehicle that does very well in the snow and ice of Colorado. However, Chevrolet needs to do a far better job with the longevity and reliability of their components. We're simply not used to this much unnecessary maintenance with our garage full of Fords that we put tires and brakes on, along with routine fluid changes. Shame on you Chevy! UPDATE: Since our last review, we've had a rotational noise at 10-15 miles per hour. Our mechanic diagnosed it initally as the bearing going to the front drive shaft. While torn apart, the bearing looked OK. He did replace the wear discs in the transfer case with a different type at the recommendation of a rebuilder who has performed dozens of these. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The entire vehicle shifts much smoother, especially when the transmission downshifts automatically when needed in cruise control. ONCE AGAIN, this repair SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE PERFORMED WITH THIS FEW MILES ON THE ODOMETER! It appears the next major repair that's needed soon is the head gasket replacement. Remember, REAL TRUCKS don't wear bowties, they have a blue oval circle of quality. UPDATE (12/2018): The song remains the same. After piloting this vehicle through significant snowstorms in the Colorado mountains, I'm in awe of the engineering and performance of this Tahoe. Even so, we're replacing parts that should NOT have worn out already on a monthly basis. Parts that I've NEVER replaced on any of the three Ford's that we've owned, including my 30+ year old daily driver. SHAME ON YOU CHEVROLET! UPDATE (12/2019): The nickel-and-diming has slowed down. Two recent issues include: 1. The Sirus satellite radio system is constantly fading in and out. The shops that I've talked to don't know where to start to even attempt to fix this. 2. It's time for a tune-up. The parts alone are over $1,000. Not Cool! UPDATE (6/20) Time for some needed maintenance; 160,000 miles 1. We lost a rear axle seal which leaked fluid onto the rear brakes. Axle seals + rear brakes = $1,200. 2. Tune-up = Coil packs (one per cylinder), plus spark plug wires, plus spark plugs = over $1,000. 3. We lost one or more knock sensors activating a "check engine" light. $800. How else are you going to nickel-and-dime us Chevrolet? UPDATE (1/1/21) This vehicle now has a distinct lifter noise coming from the engine along with a ticking sound until the engine has been driven for several miles. What next? By the way, BOTH of my Ford trucks (a 1997 F250 diesel and a 2008 Ford Ranger 4.0L) have nearly the same mileage on them with absolutely none of the problems that I've listed above for this piece of junk bowtie. Remember! Real trucks don't wear bow-ties! UPDATE (1/2022) This effort by GM has developed the classic 5.3L lifter noise in the cylinder on the drivers side, closest to the firewall. It is usually reserved for the engines with AFM (automatic fuel management?) where the engine will drop four cylinders automatically to conserve fuel. NOT A GOOD OPTION! So, we have had the engine replaced with a Jasper remanufactured engine specifically because they replace the parts that GM couldn't engineer properly (better pistons, lifters, rockers, cam). All with a 3 year/100,000 mile warranty.
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Love it!
elynne, 09/29/2005
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
With the exception of a taillight that fell off the day after purchase, which I believe is not a frequent occurence, and the dome light which fell down 3 times in the week I bought it, I love it! I haven't had any problems with it and it's fun to drive.
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Best Vehicle Ever Owned
Al, 11/15/2005
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
The 2005 Tahoe is the best vehicle I ever owned. I had a Dodge Grand Caravan prior to this and I disliked it. Poor quality interior, and uncomfortable. I've owned a lot of vehicles and also own a 1979 Corvette. I like driving my Tahoe better. My next vehicle? A Tahoe.
Rock Steady..One Owner...60k miles
Peter C., 09/17/2008
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought it new after exhaustive research and have loved it since day 1. No major (or for that matter even minor) repairs - just oil changes and other regularly scheduled maintenance. Have 2 little kids and 2 dogs so it's been on some long vacation road trips and been perfect for that and for just tooling around town. Easy to drive and not afraid to go "off-road" (I'm in Arizona-partly rural area). Been in it for over 3 years now and am still in the honeymoon phase - just a great vehicle! Get about 18mpg overall.
Tahoe
Wanda, 06/19/2007
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The Tahoe is by far more comfortable than any other SUV that I have driven. I am sure that my next vehicle will be a Tahoe as well. I had test driven quite a few before I settled on this one. I can seat eight people very comfortably.