What year Tahoe most reliable up to 2006

[OR VietVet]

I did post a while back about maybe getting a 2006 GMC Yukon and asked about reliability. Someone answered back with a link to 2007 and newer. No help to me. I have since decided to stick with a Tahoe and after reading some info about the reliability of the 2000-2006 Tahoe I have seen that it seems to be the 2006 that is the most reliable, makes sense since GM worked out most of the bugs before the design change in 2007. The 2002 was the last year for the throttle cable mechanical control, right? I am getting rid of an 02 Avalanche and that aspect was one of the reasons I bought that year. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

[Physh1]

Really, they're all pretty darn good & reliable. 03+ have most of the best/debugged features.

Given the age of our generation of truck, looking at service records & finding a well maintained one will be more important than the little issues between years.

I bought an 03 Tahoe a few years back from a single female owner with dealer service its whole life. It's been perfect beyond normal maintenance.

Cameron

 

[OR VietVet]

Ok, thanks. Everywhere I look as all the forums and problem web sites say the 06 is best because of getting bugs out. I am a former service manager and still ASE Master Certified and I always look for service records and recommend the same. But this forum should have lots of people here that have real world experience, like yourself, that can give me some insight.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

I have a 2000 LS and a 2001 LT and there both damn good. They've done what I've always needed them to do and plus some. They've been extremely reliable. I think the seats in the 2000-02 are more comfortable than the 03+ seats as well. I think all the 2000-06 Tahoe's are really reliable and comfortable and there easy to work on as well.

 

[OR VietVet]

Thank you NCTyphoonKid for the input. I do own an 02 Avalanche and I have a problem with the driver's seat lower lumbar adjusting/airing up to a different setting at times when I restart it. I thought it would be the seat memory but when I looked the manual said the lumbar is not in the memory, just the seat back tilt and forward/back adjustment. Thanks for the seat info.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Thank you NCTyphoonKid for the input. I do own an 02 Avalanche and I have a problem with the driver's seat lower lumbar adjusting/airing up to a different setting at times when I restart it. I thought it would be the seat memory but when I looked the manual said the lumbar is not in the memory, just the seat back tilt and forward/back adjustment. Thanks for the seat info.

That's odd never heard of one doing that

 

[OR VietVet]

That's odd never heard of one doing that

Yea, it does not do it all the time. All I have to do is push the button and release air in it and it deflates to where I want it but it does not feel good if I don't do that. Sometimes it is just fine. It is like the air gets a signal to air it up even though I am not even in the rig. No one at the Avalanche forum knows what is going on either. I think I will just get a new switch and try it or disconnect the switch after I get it set where I want it.

 

[bottomline2000]

And to further confuse you my 2000 is drive by wire..I don't think it's common but for the most part they all seem to reliable.. I like how simple my truck is. Less to go wrong...06 for mileage sake and factory cooling fan option...my biggest hangup..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[WILLFG]

All I know is that my 05 has never had problems and feels/drives great still.

 

[Chevy305]

'03 was a transition year to drive by wire. Its a crap shoot whether you get one or not. Even some late '02s got the wire.

There were a lot of wiring changes in the '03+ models. Plus a better stereo, different gauges, different seats (which I think are better, different climate control.

'05/'06 Got factory electric cooling fans.

All that said, I still bought a '00 Tahoe and love it. The later ones might be better but I'm having no problems with early model. The early ones can be had for a better deals though.

 

[Yukonboy2014]

The 2002 was the last year for the throttle cable mechanical control, right? I am getting rid of an 02 Avalanche and that aspect was one of the reasons I bought that year. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance.

I have an '01 with DBW...The only noticeable difference between the two is, a slight lag between pedal pressing and the engine responding. Slight...not very noticeable at all unless you're looking for it.

They are all pretty reliable. If you want a more new feel, then go with the updated 03+ models. That being said, the only major problem that I can think of for those models is blend door actuators getting stuck for the front HVAC. Other than that...they're all pretty solid. BTW as stated, 05-06 had factory EFans, if that is desirable.

 

[OR VietVet]

Thanks all for the replies. When I do make the leap it will be hard because the 02 Avalanche just has no problems and runs like a top. Hell may keep it and just get another Tahoe. Had a 96 2 door new that I liked years ago. Maybe just search for an older 2 door and have them both. HMMMMMMMMMMM