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
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2017
CRACKED DASH. CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE EDGE OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. LARGER CRACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER TIME AND THE CRACKS HAVE GOTTEN LARGER. SINCE I HAVE TO SELECT A DATE, SIMPLY PUTTING TODAYS DATE...
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2017
MY DASH IS CRACKING AND GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. I'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF PICTURES OF SIMILAR GM VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH MY INSURANCE ON THIS ISSUE FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. MY ONE OF MY CRACKS HAS REACHED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND MAY BECOME A HUGE LIABILITY FOR THE MANUFACTURER. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS ON MOVING FORWARD?
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2017
HAVE 2009 TAHOE ONLY 70K MILES DASHBOARD HAS BIG CRACK
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 1, 2017
WARNING LIGHT, TURN OFF THE ENGINE. AND THE VEHICLE TUGGED FORWARD. THIS VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF ON OCCASION AND HAS HAD OTHER ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT, NOW, REMAINS LIT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKING STARTING FROM ON TOP OF STEERING WHEEL BY AIRBAG. OTHER CRACKS AROUND THE DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2017
MY 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE DASH IS CRACKING WHICH STARTED AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. NOW THE CRACKS ARE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THERE IS ALSO ONE AREA WHERE THE CRACKS HAVE COME TOGETHER AND CAN EASILY EXPOSE THE TRUCKS COMPONENTS UNDER THE DASH WHICH COULD INCLUDE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I DO NOT PLACE ITEMS ON MY DASH NOR DO I USE ANY CHEMICALS ON THE DASH IT JUST BEGAN TO CRACK.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 15, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE DEFROST VENT- NO ACCIDENT. SIMPLY SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN IT WAS HOOKED UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER SYSTEM IT STATED IT WAS BC OF THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS ALREADY UNDER RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2016
DASH CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY. WAS NOT COMPROMISED PRIOR TO CRACKING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2016
THE DASH IS CRACKING IN 2 PLACES. ONE AT THE AIRBAG WHICH IS A CONCERN IF IT CAUSES A MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRBAG AND THE OTHER IS OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHERE I AM SURE WHEN DUST AND DIRT GETS DOWN IN IT, THERE WILL BE MORE DAMAGE CAUSED
Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2016
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2009 IN BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE NOTICED CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD ADJACENT TO THE VENT OPENINGS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THESE CRACKS APPEAR SIMILAR TO THOSE REPORTED BY OTHERS. THE DASH HAS BEEN CLEANED ROUTINELY WITH ARMOR ALL, WHICH HAS PRESERVED THE CONDITION OF THE DASHBOARDS ON OUR OTHER VEHICLES. RECENTLY THE CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BEGUN TO PROPAGATE TOWARD THE STEERING CONSOLE. IT IS NOT JUST UNSIGHTLY BUT CONCERNING, AS OTHERS HAVE RAISED, AS I FEAR THIS MAY IMPAIR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2016
MY DASH HAS 2 CRACKS THAT HAVE APPEARED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DASH IS STARTING TO BOUNCE AS I DRIVE AND IM WORRIED IT WILL BECOME SEPARATED AND HIT SOMEONE IN THE TRUCK. THERE ARE SO MANY TAHOE OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE A CRACK IN THE CENTER AND 1 OVER THE DRIVER SIDE GAUGES.
Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2016
CRACKS FORMING ON DASHBOARD PANEL, PRESENTS THE HAZARD OF PLASTIC DEBRIS EITHER DEFLATING THE AIR BAG UPON IT'S INFLATION OR DEBRIS FLYING INTO THE FACES OF PASSENGERS. TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE IS ALSO CRACKED WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THIS WAS RECALLED FOR 2008 TAHOE'S BUT NOT 2009.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2016
I BOUGHT THE 2009 USED CHEVY TAHOE ON AUGUST 1ST 2015. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE PLASTIC DASHBOARD CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG BEGAN TO CRACK AND VIBRATE. THE VIBRATION GOT SO BAD THAT THE CRACK SPREAD AND A NEW CRACK APPEARED ON THE PLASTIC DASH ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER. BOTH CRACKS MAKE THE ENTIRE DASH RATTLE WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OVER 45 MPH. I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE AIRBAGS WERE TO DEPLOY, THE PLASTIC WILL FLY INTO THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. I'VE TRIED CONTACT COVERT GMC IN AUSTIN, TX WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID I HAD TO SPEND $1300 TO REPLACE THIS DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2016
I PURCHASED A 2009 CHEVY TAHOE USED AND A KNEW ABOUT THE CRACKING DASHES SO I MADE SURE THE ONE I PURCHASED DIDN'T HAVE ANY CRACKS. I THOUGHT MAYBE THEY HAD RESOLVED THE ISSUE. WELL, AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS THE OTHER DAY I LOOKED OVER AD NOTICED AND CRACK IN MY DASH RIGHT AT THE AIRBAG. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS I HAVE 3 KIDS THAT RIDE IN THAT CAR AND IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF I'M AFRAID THE PLASTIC WILL ACT LIKE SHRAPNEL AND REALLY HURT SOMEONE. GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND I CONTACTED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MORE PEOPLE NEED TO COME FORWARD ON THIS MATTER AND GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT FAST BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2016
DASH HAS A 7 INCH CRACK ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF 2009 TAHOE AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2016
DASH CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. GM REFUSE TO REPAIR.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016
DASH BOARD CRACKING POSSIBLY EFFECTING AIR BAGS
Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKS - THE VEHICLES DASHBOARD HAS SEVERAL EXTENSIVE CRACKS. THIS STARTED OCCURRING IN 2011 AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE YEARS. NOW A SECTION HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. THE DEALERS REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2016
MY DASH IS HORRIBLY CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS
Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD AND SPREADING - MY 2009 DASHBOARD HAS LARGE CRACKS IN SEVERAL PLACES AND IS NOW EXPOSING THE ELECTRICAL UNDERNEATH. NOT ONLY DO I FIND THIS VERY ALARMING SEEING AS THE AIRBAGS ARE UNDERNEATH BUT THE PROBLEM IS ONLY GETTING WORSE , IN MOTION OR NOT , AND THE RATTLING SOUNDS OF ALL THE PIECES HAVE BECOME SUPER ANNOYING. GM THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED! TAKE CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND REPOSITIONED ITSELF. THESE CRACKS OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF 3 WEEKS UNTIL THE DASH REPOSITIONED ITSELF. THESE CRACKS OCCURRED IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE. THIS REPOSITIONING IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE CRACKS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG APPEARS TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION POSING A SAFETY RISK TO ANY FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THESE RISKS INCLUDE IMPROPER DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG PREVENTING PROPER PASSENGER PROTECTION IN A COLLISION AND PIECES OF THE DASH BECOMING SHARP PLASTIC PROJECTILES IF THE AIRBAG DOES DEPLOY CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY INJURY AND POSSIBLY DEATH.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2016
BOTH DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ARE THIS SILVER PLASTIC THAT HAS BEGAN TO PEEL UP JUST ON TOP OF THE HANDLE EXACTLY WHERE YOU GRAB TO OPEN THE DOOR. MYSELF AS WELL SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE SLICED THEIR FINGER OPEN PRETTY BAD ON MY DOOR HANDLES. VERY POOR QUALITY.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IN THE TAHOE HAS CRACKED. THE CRACK JUST SHOWED UP OVERNIGHT. WE WENT OUT ONE MORNING TO GO SOMEWHERE AND THE CRACK WAS THERE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS LOCATED
Other or unspecified, Jun 7, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES. ONE IN CORNER SURROUNDING PASSENGER AIR BAG. COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. OTHERS AROUND "HUMP" CORNERS ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. VERY COMMON ISSUE FROM WHAT I HAVE READ. VEHICLE GARAGE KEPT. CRACKS OCCUR IN SAME LOCATION ON HUNDREDS OF CHEVROLET VEHICLES.