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
306 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Feb 9, 2010
2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE - WITH 5,194 MILES INTERMITTENT AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF ALL GAUGES ON INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALSO INTERMITTENT CYCLING OF DOOR LOCKS AND HORN AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE BEING LOCKED BY USING THE REMOTE. THE FAILURE OF THE GAUGES HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THE LAST 200 OR SO MILES AND THE DOOR LOCK CYCLING HAS HAPPENED ONCE DURING THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME. THERE IS NO APPARENT PATTERN TO THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM. SINCE THERE ARE NO GAUGES WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE IS SEVERELY LIMITED; THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, OIL, TEMPERATURE AND TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTION INDICATOR ARE INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED ON 02/10/2010 BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE IS BEING PROVIDED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Feb 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE 10 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR WINDOW AND HINGES SUDDENLY BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW AND TOP HINGES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24875. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN UPDATED 06/18/10
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2009
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID THAT CURRENTLY HAS 1085 MILES OF SERVICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICE AT TWO DIFFERENT GM DEALERSHIPS FOR 7 OF 8 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP FOR AN ARRAY OF ISSUES CULMINATING IN TWO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS PERTAINING TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM. IT WAS PLACED IN SERVICE FOR A SURGING/LUNGING PROBLEM AND SELF-ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL EXISTS ON A CONSTANT BASIS. WHEN RETURNING IT TO SERVICE, THEY THEN SAID THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS "SEARCHING FOR HIGHER RPM'S SO THAT IT COULD CONVERT MODES BETWEEN BATTERY AND ENGINE POWER". IT WILL REV FROM A 600 RPM RANGE TO 2000 RPM'S WITHOUT NOTICE IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. SECOND ISSUE...WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN SERVICE STAYS, I NOTICED THAT I WOULD GET A TIGHTNESS IN MY CHEST AND SERIOUS HEADACHES, WITH NO HEALTH HISTORY OF THESE PROBLEMS. MY WIFE HAS A PACEMAKER AND WAS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE SAME WAY, WITH JABBING PAINS IN HER HEAD, CHEST PAINS AND A TIGHTNESS IN HER NECK DURING AND SHORTLY AFTER RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE DOES NOT HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. IT TOOK US SEVERAL OUTINGS IN THE TRUCK TO ASSOCIATE THE SYMPTOMS TO THE RIDE. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE VEHICLE WITH A VOLT METER AND FOUND THAT WHILE RUNNING, THE METER DETECTED 5-15 MILLIVOLTS OF ELECTRICITY IN THE SEAT RAILS OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN ACCOMPANIED ME FOR A TEST DRIVE AND WAS VISIBLY CONFUSED AND SPEAKING DIFFERENTLY AFTER 20 MINUTES IN THE TRUCK. THE NEXT DAY, I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE SERVICE WRITER WAS SHOCKED WHEN HE OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE 8 DAYS, DECLARED IT SAFE AS COMPARED TO ANOTHER HYBRID ON THEIR LOT, AND SENT ME AWAY WITHOUT RESOLVE. THE NEXT DAY, WE TALKED TO A GM REPRESENTATIVE THAT SAID THEY WOULD NOT WORK ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN FOR ANY REASON AND WARRANTY IS VOID. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2009
I HAVE A GM PRODUCT. A 2009 CHEVY TAHOE WITH ONLY 7,000 MILES ON IT. IT TURN OFF ITSELF WITOUT ANY WARNING I AM APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN START TO TURN I NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAVE TURN OFF ITSELF. SINCE I CAN NOT STEER WELL SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OFF IS THEN WHEN I CAN HIT A CAR OR CAUSE A REAR END CRASH BECAUSE I AM ABRUPTELY STOPING. I HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARKING AND THE VEHICLE START RIGHT AWAY WITH HOT AIR COMING FROM THE VENTS OF THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE VEHICLE CAME WITH A 3 YEAR 0R 36,000 MILES WARRANTY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NO CODES ARE COMING. THIS ALWAYS OCCUR RANDOMLY AND WHEN APPROACHING INTERSECTIONS AND IN TWO OCASIONS I ALMOST HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP HERE IN LAKE CITY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL BUT IS SHOWING EXACTLY THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. I ALSO WROTE A LETTER TO GM ALONG WITH THE RECALL AND NO ACTION IS TAKEN BY GM. AS MYSELF I HOPE WE DON'T HAVE OTHER CUSTOMER ACCROSS THE NATION DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM AND GM NOT ACTING AND DEALERSHIP NOT ACTING I LEARN MY LESSON WITH GM. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 29, 2009
I OWN A 2009 CHEVY TAHOE HYBRID (PURCHASED IN EARLY MARCH OF 2009). I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH MY FAMILY WHEN I REALIZED THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING TO SLOW US OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. I DROVE THROUGH THE SUBDIVISION AT 15MPH AND I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP! IN REVIEWING ONLINE, THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS FAILURE. THE "SERVICE BRAKES" AND "SERVICE STABILITRAK" LIGHTS CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HADN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS AND THEY'VE ORDERED A "CONTROL MODULE" TO FIX IT. MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE RETURNED THE CAR AND OTHERS ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM. IF GM KNOWS OF A BRAKE FAILURE ISSUE AND HASN'T ORDERED A RECALL YET, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. *TR
Seats, Nov 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. WHILE THE SECOND ROW SEATS WERE PULLED BACK TO HOUSE CARGO, THE SEATS RETURNED TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND CRUSHED THE CARGO. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, WITH THE SECOND ROW SEATS PULLED BACK TO TRANSPORT CARGO, 40 PERCENT OF THE SEAT WOULD FALL AND LOCK TO THE FLOOR DURING ACCELERATION. THE REMAINING 60 PERCENT WOULD FALL TO THE FLOOR AND THEN RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION, STRIKING THE REAR OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN THE PROCESS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE RESEARCHING THE FAILURE AND CURRENTLY HAVE NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 877. UPDATED 12/10/08 *CN UPDATED 12/17/08. *JB