Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2022 | 11 | 6% | 33,000 miles |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 3% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% | 139,000 miles |
| 2017 | 4 | 2% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 44,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 2% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% | 150,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 1% | 85,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | 2,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 57,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 1% | 34,000 miles |
| 2007 | 15 | 1% | 35,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 76,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% | 62,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% | 67,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 3% | 58,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 3% | 62,000 miles |
| 2000 | 19 | 7% | 53,000 miles |
| 1999 | 35 | 6% | 83,000 miles |
| 1998 | 49 | 19% | 75,000 miles |
| 1997 | 50 | 12% | 96,000 miles |
| 1996 | 41 | 14% | 148,000 miles |
| 1995 | 17 | 7% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH in rainy weather, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the windshield wipers became functional. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65 MPH in a rainstorm, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact activated the windshield washer fluid to clear the windshield; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
I've had my 2023 Tahoe for 15 months, purchased Dec. 2023 Issue #1. Dash message on start up " Restraint System Needs Service". I noticed small lights overhead (buttons for tail gate, sun roof, reading lamps) were off. I pressed some of them, and dash message went away, and lights came on. Everything worked fine. I've narrowed it down to the passenger side reading light. When dash warning comes on, I press reading light, and whalla! all works fine. This has happened about 6 times over the last year. Issue #2. After driving many hours (9 hr drive, then a 2hr drive, then 4hr hr drive on different days/nights) in rain with wipers in auto mode, using defrost on and off as needed. Suddenly, wipers stop working as well as headlights in auto mode! Scary. Pulled over and waited with engine off. Restarted and still nothing. I was able to use headlights in full ON mode. …
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the service safety restraint system warning light illuminated, causing the air bag warning light to remain illuminated. The contact stated that the liftgate failed to unlatch and open as needed. The contact was able to manually unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the dome light was malfunctioning. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to open as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the air bags might fail to deploy as needed in the event of a crash. The contact was informed that the sunroof, liftgate and lights needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware that the driver's side rearview mirror was pointing upwards or downwards, reducing the driver's ability to see the roadway. The driver's side rearview mirror had been making unintended movements while starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm, rainwater leaked into the vehicle through the panoramic sunroof. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who removed debris from the sunroof drainage system, but water leaked into the vehicle persisted. The contact was later informed that the panoramic sunroof gaskets were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.
I was north of Pittsburg on Sunday 30 July 2023 when I seen that rain was approaching. I turned on my rain sensing wipers and as the rain approached and turn into a down pour I had NO wipers. Couldn't see where I was going, went to the left and hit rumble strips so I went right and heard the rumble strips there. Stopped and almost caused a pile up. Took it to the dealer on 03 August 2023 and the dealer (Walker Brothers) Edinboro,PA. trouble shot my vehicle and then ordered me a new wiper motor with NO idea when it will be in.
This is the date I first took the vehicle to a dealership. The Transmission has performed poorly and the wiper would not work at all and it was not a fuse problem. Transmission finally failed and had to be replaced (6/25) but car is in a dealership for the 3rd time for windshield wipers. They do not work so car is dangerous. You leave home with no rain and then there is rain and wipers sometimes worked, most of the times they did not. On 6/25 they would not address the issue as wipers worked in High speed (but only on high speed). 3 months later they did not work at all. It did not rain in LA so not concerned, but now it is. This is a serious system design flaw. The replaced complete wiper blade system, but The relays on the bottom of the fuse box control the wiper blades. I have the Z71 off-road package as I drive off-road and in snow conditions. …
Sunroof randomly exploded/shattered while driving 65 mph on the highway. The noise sounded like an explosion/gunshot had gone off in my car. Nothing hit the sunroof and the sunroof did not have any cracks present at the time.
Related recalls (2)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor May fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on June 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper failure
As a result of this, and the precedinginvestigation, rq99-003, GM has expanded the population of safety recall 98v-150 (replacement of the windshield wiper control module) to include an additional 1.77 million vehicles.included are various 1994-1997 my m/l vans, s/t trucks and suvs, & c/k trucks and suvs.see attached technical report for details.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (50), 1998 (49), 1996 (41), 1999 (35) and 2000 (19) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Tahoe window & wiper problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-159 (windshield wiper/washer, Apr 28, 2003); 98V150001 (windshield wiper/washer, Jul 1, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Tahoe window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (91 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer › motor (74).
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.