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.
Air bags, May 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG INFLATOR IS TAKING TOO LONG. GM SENT AN INITIAL LETTER LAST YEAR; JULY 2016. I AM DRIVING AROUND IN FLORIDA; HOT AND HUMID. STRESS IS BUILDING AS NEW TAHOES ARE ROLLING OFF ASSEMBLY LINES, BUT NO PARTS CAN BE SPARED TO FIX AN "OVER TIME" SERIOUS INJURY. I HAVE 3 REFERENCE NUMBERS; BUT NO PARTS. CAN U HELP?
Air bags, May 17, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, May 7, 2017
THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING COLUMN AND GAUGES PANEL IS CRACKED ON TWO PLACES AND JUST KEEPS GETTING BIGGER. IT RATTLES LOUDLY AS I DRIVE DOWN THE STREET.
Structure, May 2, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AROUND THE AIRBAG
Hybrid propulsion system, Apr 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID COOLANT SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,444.
Air bags, Apr 15, 2017
VEHICLE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING AROUND THE AIR BAG AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS CAN AND WILL AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG AND COULD SEND FLYING DEBRIS INTO THE VEHICLE OR CUT THE AIR BASE UPON DEPLOYMENT. SOME ESTIMATES ARE THAT 80% OF THE 2009 MODEL YEAR HAVE CRACKED. DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND HAVE REPAIRED SO MANY THEY HAVE IT DONE TO HALF A DAY. COST TO REPAIR IS 1200 DOLLARS. GM WAS CONTACTED AND STATE THEY CANNOT HELP US DUE TO THE FACT WE ARE SECOND OWNERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS NOT BE OFF ROAD NOR HAS IT HAD ANY CHEMICALS PLACED ON THE DASH. CRACKS ARE IN THE SAME PLACE AS EVERYONE ELSE'S. SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. IN MY WIFE'S CASE, HER VEHICLE, IN MY OPINION, IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER CALLING GM AND THE DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY, THEY HAVE OFFERED NO HELP EXCEPT TO CHARGE ME FULL PRICE FOR THE REPAIR. ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE TO SELL THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THE DASH WON'T LAST AND THEN TAKE NO ACTION TO CORRECT AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE ONE OF THESE CRASH TESTED WITH A BIG PIECE OF BROKEN PLASTIC IN THE FLIGHT PATH OF AN AIRBAG.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2017
TAKATA RECALL NO REMEDY SINCE MAY 2016
Structure, Apr 7, 2017
THE DASHBOARD CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES ALTHOUGH THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS GARAGED AND THE SUN SHIELD USED CONSISTENTLY. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AFFECTING SAFETY THROUGH AIRBAG PERFORMANCE OR SHARP PIECES OF DASH FLYING DURING AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2017
DASH BOARD CRACKED AT DRIVERS SIDE . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS.
Steering, Air bags, Apr 2, 2017
WITHIN LAST 90 DAYS DASH HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT, WHICH RUNS ALL THE WAY TO THE BOLT ATTACHMENT POINT. ALSO CRACKED ABOVE DRIVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL (IN MOTION OR NOT) HAS A SLIGHT RUBBING SOUND, AND I AM TOLD BY REPAIR SHOP THAT IT IS THE WOUND WIRE IGNITION LINE TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. I AM CONCERNED THAT BOTH DEFICIENCIES IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING, COULD PREVENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, OR CASE THEM TO GO OFF WITHOUT A FRONT END IMPACT TO THE SENSORS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MODEL YEARS, AND GM ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE, UNLIKE FORD & TOYOTA. THIS IS NOT A MILEAGE ISSUE, IT IS A PLASTIC INTERIOR PART, AND UNRELATED TO MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND NOT PARKED IN SUN FOR LONG PERIODS.
Structure, Mar 29, 2017
MY VEHICLE DASH BOARD HAS A LOT OF CRACKS IN IT. I HAVE ONE NEAR MY AIRBAGS AND TWO NEAR MY STEERING WHEEL.IT RATTLES SO BAD WHEN I DRIVE. THE CRACKS KEEPS GETTING WORST.
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
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, Mar 10, 2017
TAKATA RECALL THIS ENTIRE RECALL REEKS OF A BACK OFFICE DEAL WITH GM AND NHTSA. IN ONE PARA GM STATES THAT " IF THE PROPELLANT DEGRADES TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, THE INFLATORS MAY RUPTURE DURING DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES." YET THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE STATES " GM CONSIDERS YOUR VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE". YOU SHOULD PUT PRESSURE ON GM TO FIX THIS AS OPPOSED TO SRRINGING IT OUT FOR EVER. D A LUNDY
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?
Structure, Mar 2, 2017
DASH BOARD CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROS DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. CRACK CONTINUED UNTIL IT MET THE SEAMS OF DASHBOARD TO AIRBAG.
Air bags, Mar 1, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2017
THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNS ON. UT READS CHECK BATTERY SYSTEM.
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.
Air bags, Jan 31, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jan 27, 2017
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, WHEN YOU FILL UP WITH GAS YOU FILL UP WITH OIL
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.