Automatic Transmission problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe

18 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 08/13/2007

Have a 1997 Tahoe two door 4x4 with 126,000 miles. . . Transmission housing cracked yesterday. Upon investigation I see that Chevrolet has known about this problem for over ten years and have yet to correct the problem. I am very disappointed with chevy. And their quality of workmanship. I hope something will be done about this for the american consumer. Should have bought a Toyota like my friends said ha ha. Seriously, quality should come before profit!!!!.

2 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/08/2004

Noticed a humming vibration under acceleration. Had transmission serviced but problem persisted. Then while traveling at highway speed (70) with cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly lost power and rpms jumped way up. Vehicle was then towed to a local transmission shop where it was found that the transmission cases was cracked. The crack occured due to the u-joint breaking. The u-joint could have been repaired for under $100 but now to fix the truck will cost $1700. Bad design in my opinion.

3 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2004

Normal driving conditions: light traffic, non-towing, non-four-wheel drive.

4 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 04/28/2004

The failures initiated back in June (27th) 2001. An hour on the nys thruway from buffalo going towards penn stateline. The transmission blew, throwing fluids everywhere. Towed to continental transmission. Paid for the transmission to be replaced. Within the end of the 1 year warranty, the transission began slipping and bumping after 2nd gear before going into 3rd. This would occur after the truck was warmed up and following thruway driving. Once you exited the thruway, came to a stop; it started immediatelyand consistently. Seeing as I drove the thruway everyday, the problem occurred everyday. Took Tahoe back to continental transmission. They initally didn't see anything wrong and asked that we advise in the future if it got worse. We took it back and forth, losing use of the vehical for weeks at a time. Finally, in Jan 2004, the tranny just stopped altogether and we had to tow to continental. The truck supposedly had another tranny replacememt, as well as replacement of the computer. Once again, we were without the truck for 4+ weeks. We picked it up and the the next day, fluid all over the garage floor (of a newly built home!). Took it back, another week went by. Picked it up, within another month, tranny was not kicking into 3rd. . . Again. Took the Tahoe back to continental, supposedly all new parts were put into the Tahoe. Yesterday, same problem, tranny not kicking into 3rd, when it tries, the rpm skyrocket to 6000 and you don't accelerate. Brought it back to continental this morning. They called to tell me that they don't know what to do. They can't get us a new tranny, maybe a remanufactured tranny, but they will let me know after they contact the dealer. Am I the only owner of a 1997 chevy Tahoe that has experienced these extensive defects with a gm automatic transmission? this is a travesty! please followup with continental transmission, their number is 716-828-1121, ask for pat, the owner. He is just as frustrated over this as I am!.

5 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2004

At about 95,000 miles the service engine light comes on intermiittenly after the truck has been driven 20 to 30 miles, after coming to a stop, the auto transmission shifts from 1st to second so hard, it feels like it is going to come out of the truck. Once the truck is put in park and turned off, it is good again until it has been running for 20 to 30 miles. Upon doing some online reseach, calling a dealer and local mechanic, I have fount that it can be one of three things: 1) a sticking shift valve 2) accumulator piston or 3) a servo. No one can tell what it is without tearing the transmission apart. I have also found this is all too commom a problem for this transmission. Should be a recall, wiilll keep me from ever buying another gm product.

6 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/05/2003

The brakes abs system activates at every stop when the car downshifts from 2nd to 1st gear and when parking. Speed sensors have been replaced twice at dealership and still a problem.

7 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 02/13/2002

While putting vehicle in park rear end fell apart. Gears broke and axle released. Vehicle started to roll backward and could not be stopped. Dealer contacted. Please add VIN.

8 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2002

While driving at 65 mph, and without warning, vehicle started to lose speed. Rpms went higher than normal. All gears, except 1st and 2nd, failed to work. Please provide further information.

9 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 08/17/2001

No summary listed for above vehicle.

10 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2001

After driving for 20 to 25 miles then coming to a stop. When you take off again car slams into gear from 1st to 2nd. We currently have $1,100. In service bills and still have not been able to have the problem fixed. In doing research found many other GMC owners have the exact same problem. We feel this should be investigated and hopefully recalled as a factory defect.

11 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2001

No summary listed for above vehicles.

12 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2001

Failure of sunshell and 2-4 band assembly.

13 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 10/20/2000

Transmission failure, no foward or reverse, with no previous warning.

14 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 06/10/2000

Transmissions problems common on Chevrolet Tahoes 1996-1998.

15 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/13/1999

When putting vehicle into neutral the vehicle will be in drive, and when putting it in reverse it will be in neutral. When putting the vehicle in park, the vehicle will be in drive. The rpm meter works, and the consumer can see when shifting while driving.

16 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 01/01/1999

No summary listed for above vehicle.

17 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 11/18/1998

Transmission--replaced.

18 Automatic Transmission problem

Failure Date: 05/17/1997

The abs system would kick in for no reason and didn't matter what the road surface was. The vehicle would pull excesively to the crown of the road, if you took your hands off the sterring wheel, you would end up in a ditch in less than two seconds. The cruise control would work when it wanted to, same as the horn. The brakes would pulsate. It went through one of the front pads every ten thousand miles; the other three padshad over 50% left. The transmission would shift way to early from first to second; causing the vehicle to alomost quit accelerating because of the lack of power.



Safety Ratings of Tahoe Cars
Fuel Economy of Tahoe Vehicles
Tahoe Service Bulletins
Tahoe Safety Recalls
Tahoe Defect Investigations