28th Jan 2010, 22:48
I own a 2000 Chevy Tahoe, Z71, 4-door. I bought it brand new in December of 2000. It's the 99 model, but sold as a 2000. It has 155,000 miles.
Besides the normal wear and tear, replacing tires, and brakes, I have just recently replaced the water pump, and now I'm having the intake manifold gasket replaced.
The sending unit built into the electric fuel pump, stopped working around 100,000 miles, so I now fill up every 200 miles.
I have never changed the spark plugs.
It's been a great vehicle, but like everything else, It's getting OLD!! This will be my last SUV.
Thanks for the great tips.
20th Mar 2010, 09:42
I had coolant leaks starting around 80,000 miles on my 99 Z71. So I replaced the water pump, tightened up every nut I could find on the top of the engine, and put stop leak in the radiator. No more leak.
I replace the plugs and wires every 25,000 miles, and recently replaced the distributor cap and rotor. Now that really adds back power.
I replaced the driver side door handle and latch.
One window actuator switch went out.
I replaced the serpentine belt every 60,000 miles, and always carry a spare along with a 3/8" ratchet to change the belt on the road.
The rear doors squeak, so I added tape at the contact points to eliminate the squeak.
I upgraded to truck tires, so it now corners like a sports car.
The over steering of the power steering issue goes away at 110,000 miles without doing any repair.
It gets real good gas mileage for an SUV of its size.
Other than that, I cannot complain.
29th Apr 2010, 16:41
I bought a 99 Tahoe 2 years ago, and I put about 500 miles a week on it for work; this includes driving up and over a very steep mountain grade. I bought it with 101,000 on it, and it now has 151,245 on it with no problems except normal wear and tear items that need replacing on all automobiles. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.
31st May 2010, 15:51
I purchased a 99 Tahoe locally with 89000 miles on it.. It now has 129,000..
I happen to love the vehicle to death... but... the problems are continual and endless.
The evo power steering system failed. I replaced the sensor under the dash on the steering column; didn't fix the jerky steering.. installed bypass hose on steering gearbox, that fixed the rapid steering jerk. I've replaced all the suspension and tires due to speed wobbles in the front end, hoping that was the problem... nope... replaced steering gear box about 2000 miles ago, that solved the wobbles, now it has tons of play in it merely 2000 miles later..
I've replaced 2 fuel filters, 1 fuel pump, fuel injection assembly, fuel pressure regulator, plugs, wires, temp sensor, thermostat, intake manifold gaskets and O2 sensors because of extreme horsepower loss at running temp.. Nothing has gotten my power back.. My next guess in the mass airflow sensor. Something on this vehicle is retarding fuel delivery and I'm losing my rpm range.
I love the design of the vehicle, but the constant problems suck.
16th Jun 2010, 20:38
Is throwing a rod due to bad bearings at 129000 miles considered normal wear and tear? I need a new engine now.
6th Jul 2010, 12:26
I have a 1999 Chevy Tahoe with 148,000 miles on her.
I have changed tires and brakes, that's it! Last night I noticed a leak in the transmission, but I can't find the leak? It shifts good and runs like a top. It's not leaking bad, and the leak looks like it's coming from the yoke? Any help would be nice!
6th Jul 2010, 19:18
To the above commentor.
There's a seal around the yoke that keeps the differential fluid from leaking. I suspect that to be your problem. Unless you are mechanically inclined, I recommend you bring it to a professional to have this repaired, as getting the yoke off can be extremely difficult without the proper tools.
28th Jul 2010, 21:38
I bought my 99 Tahoe from a dealer at 60,000 miles. It now has 249k. In 6 years I have had to:
-Have transmission rebuilt 6 times (yes, 6!).
-3 fuel pumps with tows each time (that's right, 3!).
-Brakes every 6 months, rotors/drums every year.
-Transfer case replaced.
-Add external trans cooler.
-Steering box replaced twice.
-There's an exhaust manifold leak.
-From day one, the whole thing fills with water every time it rains (dealer told me to park uphill during rain!).
-Re-wiring for rear lights.
-Rear light bulb plates 4 times (yup 4!).
-The rear seat is broken and will not fold down.
-Door handles have broke 3 times (all of them).
-Rear glass doesn't close and latch.
-Rear door handle popped out.
-Headliner has come down.
-Rear A/C control fell out of ceiling.
-All but one of the speakers do not work.
-Every dash light has blown repeatedly.
-Tie-rods have been replaced twice.
-Radiator exploded.
-Battery exploded.
Most of this was in the first 4 years I had it with only 2 trannys covered under warranty. I know, glutton for punishment. As a single mother, I have had to put each repair on a credit card and pay over time.
If there was a way to get a new (non-Chevy) vehicle I would have, believe me but that's not going to happen.
So, until my next repair... good luck!
26th Dec 2009, 17:47
I bought a 1999 Chevy Tahoe at the end of '98 and it is probably the worst car I've ever owned. Up until it all I ever purchased was European. First year we had it, we noticed a hum in the speakers when playing the radio, and when we took it in for inspection, we were told it was nothing. Well, that "nothing" turned out to be the alternator, which they had to replace because of the warranty. Since then it has been replaced FIVE more times! Here is a list of the things wrong with this car:
1. Molding around drivers side window cracked and broke 2 years after purchase.
2. Rear-end makes a thumping sound when accelerating.
3. Transmission went out 3 years ago. Cost: 2,600.00.
4. Air conditioning compressor went out. Cost: 900.00.
5. As mentioned before, a total of six alternators at about 100.00 each time.
6. Driver's side door handles, inside and out have just cracked and broken from fatigue in the metal. Same thing now is going on in the passengers side.
7. Drivers side door hinges sagged to the point that the door had to be lifted to shut it. Had to be replaced: 400.00.
These are the things that I've had to pay someone to do. There have been some things that I was able to do to keep the cost down. But never have I had a car that has just broken up the way this has. I only have it now because I've put so much into it. The transmission has a 100,000 mile warranty on it, and the engine work (I forgot to list that, I think that was over 1500.00) gave it some more life, so I'll drive it until the next major incident, then I'll decide if I've had enough. But I'll never buy another. Period.