2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 306 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 5 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
Campaign 21V053000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Campaign 21V052000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Campaign 21V050000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemJun 4, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 10V240000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 6, 2009
GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE SEPARATION OF THE ROOM TEMPERATURE VULCANIZING (RTV) SEAL BETWEEN THE SEAL AND THE HOUSING MAY ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE MODULE.
WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 09V154000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2018
IN REGARDS OF MY 2009 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ THIS VECHICLE HAS HAD SOME ISSUES IN THE FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. WHEN EVER THE CAR IS PARKED AN YOU EXIT THE SUV TO LOCK IT IT DOES NOT LOCK YOU HEAR THE CLICKING SOUND LIKE ITS LOCKED BUT WHEN YOU TRY TO OPEN THE DOOR THAT SHOULD BE LOCKED IT OPENS RIGHT UP AN THE ALARM GOES OFF AN TO MENTION THE DOOR HANDLES ARE CHIPPING AWAY AN THE PLASTIC CUTS ALMOST EVERY PERSON THAT OPENS MY DOORS THAT ARE NOT CAREFUL. AN IVE HAD TO PATCH ALMOST 5 PLACES ON MY COOLANT AN A/C LINES THAT ARE ALUMINUM VERY CHEAPLY MADE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 29, 2018
VERY LARGE CRACK ACROSS THE DASH WHILE NOT DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL-THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN I NOTICED THE DASH CRACKED. IT'S CRACKED IN THREE DIFFERENT SECTIONS, I NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE ON OTHER TAHOE'S AND YUKON.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2018
DASH HAS CRACKED ON PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DRIVER SIDE. PLASTIC HAS SHARP EDGES WHERE CRACKING WHEN CLEANING.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2018, crash
MY 2009 HYBRID TAHOE ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY ON OCCASION. THE ISSUE ARRISES COMMONLY IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC WHEN THE HYBRID SYSTEM STARTS/STOPS THE GASOLINE ENGINE REGULARLY. I NOTICE IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN SWITCHING GAS/ELECTRIC MODES THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD. THE FEELING IS THE SAME AS LETTING OUT THE CLUTCH QUICKLY ON A VEHICLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DONE AS MUCH RESEARCH AS I CAN AND IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM POINTS TO ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PUMP(S) AND/OR CONTROL MODULES. WHEN THE SYSTEM OPERATES ON THE GAS ENGINE, THE HYBRID TAHOE'S TRANSMISSION RELIES ON AN ENGINE DRIVEN HYDRAULIC FLUID PUMP. WHEN THE SYSTEM SWITCHES TO ELECTRIC MODE, AN AUXILIARY TRANSMISSION FLUID PUMP TURNS ON, DRIVEN BY AN INDEPENDENT ELECTRIC MOTOR. THE LURCH I DESCRIBED RESULTS FROM WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A FAILING PUMP OR CONTROL MODULE, OR A COMBINATION OF THE BOTH WHICH ENGAGES GEARS WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. THIS LURCH IS RATHER DANGEROUS AS I HAVE HAD TO JUMP ON THE BRAKES MANY TIMES TO AVOID REAR ENDING OTHER DRIVERS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN, DRIVE OR HAVE DRIVEN THESE GMT900 SERIES HYBRIDS (2008-2013 CHEVY TAHOE/SILVERADO HYBRIDS, GMC YUKON HYBRIDS, CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRIDS) ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE DESCRIBED THE DREADED LURCH. SOME SAY REPLACING THE ELECTRIC AUXILIARY TRANSMISSION FLUID PUMP SOLVES THE PROBLEM, OTHERS STILL HAVE LURCHING ISSUES. ONE INDIVIDUAL WHO DRIVES A CADILLAC ESCALADE HYBRID CLAIMED TO HAVE ACTUALLY REAR ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO THE UNCONTROLLABLE LURCH. AS FOR MY PERSONAL CAR, THE LURCH OCCURS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, SOMETIMES MORE. THANKFULLY I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YET, HOWEVER I FEEL ONE MAY BE IMMINENT. HERE IS A LINK TO A TAHOE/YUKON OWNERS FORM WHERE I HAVE SHARED SOME OF MY FINDINGS: HTTPS://WWW.TAHOEYUKONFORUM.COM/THREADS/HYBRID-TRANSMISSION.104102/
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2018
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NOW THE DASH TWICE BECAUSE OF SEVERE CRACKING. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2018
20759945 FUEL PUMP FLOW CONTROL MODULE HAS A BAD SEAL AND GETS WATER INSIDE IT JUST LIKE THE OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON MANY GM VEHICLES INCLUDING MOST OTHER 2009 CHEVY TAHOE'S. THIS IS TERRIBLY DANGEROUS AND I ALMOST WRECKED DUE TO MY VEHICLE NOT RUNNING RIGHT AFTER DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE ON INTERSTATE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2018
THE DASH AROUND THE AIRBAG IS CRACKED. TAHOE HAD 45K ON IT WHEN IT STARTED TO CRACK.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2018
THE CHROME ON THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES FOR BOTH DRIVE AND PASSENGER SIDE IS PEELING AND IS VERY SHARP. MY 12 YEAR OLD RECENTLY CUT HIS FINGER OPEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES
Other or unspecified, Jan 29, 2018
DASH BOARD CRACKS SEVERELY ABOVE STEERING COLUMN AND BY AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2017
I HAVE BOUGHT 4 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS AND ALL KEEP FAILING THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. IF THERE IS A FIRE OR AN EMERGENCY I HAVE KIDS AND SOMETHING MAY HAPPEN.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2017
CRACKED DASH. THE DASH HAS CRACKED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IF AIRBAG DEPLOYED, THE DASH WOULD PROBABLY TURN TO SHRAPNEL.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2017
I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACE. THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE AN AIRBAG YET. I HAVE BEEN TRYING SINCE JULY 2016. PLUS MY DASH CRACKED NEAR THE AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2017
LIKE ALL OTHER CHEVROLETS, THE DASH HAS CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE AIRBAG. 73223 MILES. UNSURE WHEN EXACTLY IT HAPPENED
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2017
CRACKED AND BROKEN DASHBOARD. BROKEN NEAR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE DASHBOARD COULD SHATTER SENDING SHARP EDGED HARD PLASTIC INTO OCCUPANTS POSSIBLY PROPELLED BY DEPLOYED AIRBAGS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2017
ALL 4 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WENT BAD AFTER A SIMPLE SEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH 2008-2010 CHEVY TAHOE AND SUBURBAN. AND A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR ALL 4 LOCKS TO GO AT THE SAME TIME.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2017
MY DASHBOARD HAS LARGE CRACKS EXTENDING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HAVE FEARS THE DASHBOARD WILL BREAK APART AND STRIKE ME OR A PASSENGER IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2017
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN NUMEROUS PLACES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, SPONTANEOUSLY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 13, 2017
CRACKS IN DASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IN CRASH. DASH CRACKING STARTED AROUND 80K. ENGINE USES OIL,SEVERAL QTS. BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. IT HAS USED OIL SINCE AROUND 45K MILES
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2017
CRACKED DASH IN 2 PLACES
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2017
CRACKED & BROKEN DASHBOARD VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2017
DASH BOARD CRACKED AT DRIVERS SIDE . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2017
MY DASHBOARD DEVELOPED A CRACK ABOVE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT APPROXIMATELY 9 MONTHS AGO. AN EVEN BIGGER SECOND CRACK DEVELOPED ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I FEAR THESE CRACKS MAY IMPACT THE ELECTRONICS FOR THE AIRBAG.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2017
DASH CRACKING SEVERELY AROUND AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE,, IF DEPLOYED MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE FROM SHRAPNEL FROM BROKEN PLASTIC PIECES. THIS ONGOING AND PROGRESSIVE, STARTED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO