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.
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.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/30/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED IN FOUR PLACES AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS EXPOSED. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON ALL FOUR DOORS AND THE RUNNING BOARDS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
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.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE I STARTED TO HEAR THIS CRACKING SOUND IN WHICH I NOTICED THAT THE CRACK WAS COMING ACROSS MY DASHBOARD. IT STARTED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE FROM THE AIRBAG AND CAME ALL THE WAY ACROSS TO THE DRIVER SIDE AND UP TOWARDS STEERING WHEEL. NOW IT JUST FLAPS WHILE DRIVING AS IT IS OPEN AND EXPOSED AND I AM VERY CONCERNED IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY AT THIS POINT. MY TAHOE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION MIGHT I ADD. IRONICALLY MY SISTER HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR AS ME AND SHE HAS THE EXACT SAME CRACK IN HER DASHBOARD AS WELL STARTING AND ENDING IN THE SAME PLACE.
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.
Structure, Jul 6, 2016
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE AIRBAG AREA OF THE DASHBOARD. I REPORTED THIS TO GM IN MARCH 2016 AND THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. TODAY, THERE IS A NEW CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE NOW. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO MY 2007 CHEVY AVALANCHE, AND IN 2010, GM REPLACED IT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. NOW WITH THE TAHOE, THEY REFUSE. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED UNDER A GARAGE AWNING AND WE NEVER USE ANYTHING BUT A DRY RAG TO CLEAN THE DASHBOARDS. THIS IS NO FAULT OF OURS, AND APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH CHEVY MANUFACTURING.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED BY DRIVER SIDE.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 28, 2016
THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. WHAT IS ALARMING IS THERE ARE CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND IF IT EVER DEPLOYS I'M AFRAID THERE WILL BE EXPLODING PIECES OF THE DASH GOING EVERYWHERE. THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT GETS TIGHT AND WILL NOT RELEASE UNTIL FULLY RETRACTED.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2016
THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. IT EXTENDS FROM DRIVER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE UP TO THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT ALSO SPLITS IN TWO SEPARATE AREAS OFF THE HORIZONTAL CRACK. ONE ABOUT 2 INCHES PERPENDICULAR TO THE LARGE CRACK NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE AND ANOTHER PERPENDICULAR CRACK CLOSER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT EXTENDS 1-2 INCHES AWAY FROM THE LARGER CRACK. MY CAR HAS BEEN STORED IN THE GARAGE FROM DAY ONE. I DID NOT NOTICE HOW LONG AGO THIS CRACK BEGAN.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
CRACKS ON DASH AND CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON DASH
Electrical system, May 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY FLASHED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER RANDOMLY SHORTED OUT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. ALSO, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE SUDDEN FAILURE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO REVIEW THE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DIAGNOSIS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/19/2016. *JB
Other or unspecified, May 7, 2016
MY DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK IN IT....I AM AFRAID IT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROTECT ME IN A CRASH (MAY EFFECT AIRBAGS).
Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2016
DASH BOARD CRACKING
Air bags, Apr 26, 2016
VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT NORMAL SPEED AND THE DASH CRACKED BY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG
Other or unspecified, Apr 26, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED.
Structure, Apr 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2016
EXTENSIVE CRACKS IN DASH INCLUDING AROUND AND GOING UP TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PLACEMENT. FEAR IS THAT IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS SHARDS OF PLASTIC DASH MAY BE DISLOGED AND BECOME PROJECTILES.
Structure, Apr 14, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACE. THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED IN OUR 2011 CHEV. SILVERADO PICK UP.
Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING IN PLACES
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2016
CRACKED DASH IN MULTIPLE PLACES