Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Bought Tahoe in 2006,noticed had to push brake peddle hard when stopping,told several different dealers about it,told it was normal.different people drove it and also said you really had to push hard to stop.I changed tires last year and asked them about the brakes,I was told that there was trouble on the 2006 Tahoe.
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe w/ 3rd row seating. The liftgate lock failed without any indication that it was going out. This is very fearful for our family for which we have small children who May become trapped and unable to escape this vehicle in the event of an accident. I read 11 complaints online from other consumers with this same matter. Chevrolet are aware that these complaints are out there and know the risk in which are involved. Why should they wait until someone is seriously injured or a death occurs due to a defect on their end. I would hate for this to happen to anyone and I hope that you all can look into this. Not to mention that this particular vehicle doesn't have a key entry to unlock it as well. Please look into recalling what others have identified as the actuator. Thank you, [redacted]
This is a fleet vehicle with multiple drivers. It has been garaged since purchased new, and frequently washed. It is infrequently used in poor weather, when roads are salted or brined, and undercarriage is rinsed after use in such conditions, intending to avoid premature undercarriage rust. In this event, the brake pedal gradually lost pressure while holding at a stop and vehicle began to roll imperceptibly. Driver initially thought seat was misadjusted from previous driver and that his applied pedal pressure was relaxing, therefore he adjusted the seat and continued driving. This was during a snowstorm, so driving was cautious anyway. The prior driver had noticed the same gradual pressure loss retroactively when asked. …
I own a 2006 Chevy Tahoe that I just bought in feb. Up till now I have loved it. My rear lift gate/hatch will not open. After trying several times to unlock it, still it wouldn't open. So I climb inside to try and find a manual release button or handle, I find nothing. I decided to pull out the owners manual and look it up. The only way you can access the rear hatch is from the keyless remote that unlocks it. I believe this is a safety issue for several reasons. A crash, be it a rollover, head on, fire or if I plunge into water, you can't get out through the rear access. The latch/lock is broken and thousands of GMC/Chevy owners are having this same issue. Now I can't help out with taking my wheelchair bound grandmother to and from her doctors apt and her errand runs. The latch costs $400.00 to replace. Just so that it goes out again?? I don't have that kind of money. …
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe tail gate will not open. The key fob is the only way to unlock it-there is no key lock on the outside of the tailgate, and to my utter shock---no interior latch to unlock the tailgate from the inside. There is also absolutely no way to unlock the window separately from the tail gate. This is a serious safety hazard. I have read numerous other complaints regarding this identical issue-and am absolutely shocked that this is not a recall issue-a recall needs to be done immediately--before someone becomes trapped in a car accident or vehicle fire. Very disappointed Chevrolet has done nothing to date to solve this very dangerous problem!! I now have a vehicle that is useless-and Chevrolet needs to do whatever is necessary to resolve his defective and faulty equipment---immediately!
When I pressed the power lock opener to unlock all the doors in my Tahoe, the liftgate where the children's seats are located did not unlock automatically. It was then I discovered that there is no emergency or manual way to open the liftgate in the event of the actuator failing! There is no release on the inside and no key slot opener on the outside. A little research told me that this is a common problem with this model of car. I don't understand how there was not a recall on these vehicles that are an obvious danger to children and / or other passengers. An emergency lever or keylock should be mandatory on these vehicles.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe. While the vehicle was parked, the electronic hatch rear door would not open. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer or mechanic. The vehicle was not been repaired. The contact was concerned since someone could become trapped in the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 67,392 and the current mileage was 67,692. Updated 08/24/10. The rear hatch/liftgate lock function became inoperable in the locked position. The locks are all electric and there is no way to open the back end of the vehicle. Updated 08/25/10
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe liftgate lock actuator quit working at around 67000 miles. There is no manual or key operated way to unlock the liftgate. It failed in the locked position which has the potential to trap someone inside in the event of an emergency. The only way to open was to crawl inside the back end of the vehicle, rip the plastic trim panels off that cover the mechanism, and then move the actuator by hand. When I took to the dealer to check out he wanted over $500 to replace the lock actuator. I read numerous other complaints of this problem on this vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated the rear hatch lock failed and could not be opened automatically. The rear hatch did not have a lock that could be unlocked manually. A passenger in the rear of the vehicle was unable to get out due to the failure. The fire department was called in order to remove the passenger from the rear seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated the rear hatch actuator was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
2006 Chevy Tahoe rear hatch will not unlock/open. This is the second time that this has occurred with this vehicle. First time repaired by the dealership where it was purchased new after the warranty expired -- expensive repair. Now facing having to have costly repair again and the vehicle is less than 7 years old. This is a keyless entry and poses a serious safety issue as there is no way to open the hatch from the inside or the outside of the vehicle. I do not have the VIN at this time.
Body complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the body & structure of the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, 24% of the model year's 114 complaints. The component named most often is body › hatchback/liftgate (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.