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2007 Chevrolet Tahoe: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2007 Tahoe has 1,177 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, more than any other Tahoe model year in our data[1][2]. Air bags are the biggest complaint group, and two recalls cover the front passenger air bag inflator[3][4][5].
Reported problems
Owners filed 1,177 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 26 mention a crash and 27 a fire, and the complaints report 75 injuries in total[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below do not add up to the total.
| Component group | Complaints | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags[3] | 500 | 100,000 |
| Structure[7] | 279 | 70,000 |
| Unknown or other[8] | 197 | 79,750 |
| Electrical system[9] | 142 | 79,500 |
| Engine[10] | 79 | 105,753 |
| Electronic stability control[11] | 53 | 102,112 |
| Latches, locks and linkages[12] | 52 | 51,300 |
| Power train[13] | 50 | 55,869 |
What owners describe, from a small sample of complaint texts we read:
- Air bags. In 6 of 12 texts, owners describe air bags going off with no crash, while driving or while parked. In 3 of 12, the air bag warning light came on and stayed on, with dealer repairs not fixing it or not offered under warranty[3]. Air bag complaints list 18 crashes and 20 injuries[3].
- Structure. In 4 of 12 texts, the trim on inside door handles peels and leaves sharp edges that cut fingers[7]. In 2 of 12, the rear liftgate opened or closed on its own[7]. This group lists 40 injuries, the most of any group[7].
- Engine. In 3 of 13 texts, smoke or fire started while the SUV was parked[10]. In another 3 of 13, it stalled, shut down or would not start[10]. The engine group lists 8 fires[10].
- Electrical system. In 4 of 11 different texts, owners say the instrument panel gauges are hard to read in daylight or dim light[9]. The electrical group lists 20 fires[9].
These are counts from small samples. They show what some owners reported, not how often it happens.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Remedy pending
Passenger air bag inflator (21V052). Filed 2021-02-05[5]. The front passenger inflator may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. Metal fragments could hit the driver or other passengers and cause serious injury or death. GM says dealers will replace the inflator free of charge, but the remedy is not yet available. Owners are to get a second letter once it is[5]. This recall covers certain vehicles, based on where they were first sold or registered[5]. - Remedy pending
Passenger air bag inflator (21V050). Filed 2021-02-05[4]. Same defect and same risk as above, for vehicles in a different set of states[4]. The remedy is not yet available here either[4]. - Heated washer fluid module (10V240). Filed 2010-06-04[14]. On vehicles with a heated washer fluid system, the module could overheat and ignite after an earlier fix. The remedy is for dealers to permanently disable and remove the module[14].
- Washer fluid heater wiring (08V441). Filed 2008-08-28[15]. A short circuit on the heater's circuit board could overheat a wire. That can cause an odor, smoke or a fire. The fix is a wire harness with an in-line fuse, installed free[15].
Fuel economy
EPA lists several versions of the 2007 Tahoe. All are rated 14 city, and highway is 19 or 20 mpg[6][16][17][18].
| Version | City / highway / combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl, 2WD, regular fuel[6] | 14 / 20 / 17 mpg | $3,950 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl, 2WD, gasoline or E85[16] | 14 / 20 / 16 mpg | $4,200 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl, 4WD, gasoline or E85[17] | 14 / 19 / 16 mpg | $4,200 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl, 2WD, regular fuel[18] | 14 / 19 / 16 mpg | $4,200 |
All versions use a 4-speed automatic[6][16][17][18]. Fuel costs use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the SUV was new[6].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door rear-wheel-drive version 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 22.8%[19].
Engine and size
EPA lists 5.3L and 4.8L 8-cylinder engines for this model year[6][18]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2007 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 246 | 6 |
| 1996 | 283 | 3 |
| 1997 | 410 | 0 |
| 1998 | 263 | 2 |
| 1999 | 552 | 1 |
| 2000 | 282 | 6 |
| 2001 | 512 | 5 |
| 2002 | 449 | 3 |
| 2003 | 507 | 4 |
| 2004 | 467 | 2 |
| 2005 | 293 | 5 |
| 2006 | 114 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1,177 | 4 |
| 2008 | 586 | 4 |
| 2009 | 306 | 5 |
| 2010 | 319 | 4 |
| 2011 | 457 | 6 |
| 2012 | 180 | 4 |
| 2013 | 234 | 5 |
| 2014 | 93 | 4 |
| 2015 | 663 | 16 |
| 2016 | 257 | 10 |
| 2017 | 174 | 4 |
| 2018 | 105 | 3 |
| 2019 | 107 | 2 |
| 2020 | 57 | 3 |
| 2021 | 459 | 16 |
| 2022 | 195 | 4 |
| 2023 | 231 | 5 |
| 2024 | 69 | 3 |
| 2025 | 50 | 1 |
| 2026 | 27 | 3 |
With 1,177 complaints, 2007 is the highest of any Tahoe model year in the NHTSA data[2]. The next highest are 2015 with 663, 2008 with 586 and 1999 with 552[2]. The year before, 2006, has 114[2].
The 4 recalls for 2007 are fewer than the 16 listed for each of 2015 and 2021, and the 10 for 2016[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many SUVs were sold, so a high count can partly reflect sales. Still, it is a large gap within the same model[2].
Should you buy a used 2007 Tahoe?
This model year has a heavy complaint record, led by air bags and structure[1][3][7]. Two recalls on the passenger air bag inflator carry a serious injury risk, and our data lists the remedy as not yet available[4][5]. Ask the seller for proof of which recalls have been done. Fuel economy is modest at 16 to 17 mpg combined[6][18]. Complaint samples are small, so treat them as things to check on a test drive and inspection, not as a verdict.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- Air bags are the largest complaint group at 500 of 1,177 complaints, then structure at 279[1][3][7]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bags going off with no crash and peeling door handle trim[3][7].
- Does the 2007 Tahoe have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4[2]. Two cover the front passenger air bag inflator, and the remedy is not yet available[4][5]. Two cover the heated washer fluid system[14][15].
- How many miles per gallon does a 2007 Tahoe get?
- EPA rates it 16 to 17 mpg combined, with 14 city and 19 to 20 highway[6][16][17][18].
- Is 2007 a bad year for the Chevrolet Tahoe?
- It has the most NHTSA complaints of any Tahoe model year in our data, 1,177 against 663 for the next highest[2]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,177 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe (26 mention a crash, 27 a fire, 75 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Tahoe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 500 complaints name the air bags component group (18 crashes, 0 fires, 20 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V050, filed February 5, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V052, filed February 5, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tahoe 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 279 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 40 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 197 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,750). NHTSA vehicle records
- 142 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 20 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 79 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,753). NHTSA vehicle records
- 53 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,112). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,300). NHTSA vehicle records
- 50 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,869). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V441, filed August 28, 2008: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tahoe 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tahoe 1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tahoe 1500 2WD, 4.8L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAHOE 4DR SUV 2WD: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 5,443 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TAHOE 4DR SUV 4WD: length 202 in, width 78 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 116 in, curb weight 5,706 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov