2011 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 456 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 6 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 3 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 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY 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 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. 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 N212328800.
Campaign 21V054000 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 system, ignitionDec 30, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Campaign 14V827000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, linkagesJun 28, 2011
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
THIS COULD ALLOW THE JOINTS TO SEPARATE, AND THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE LOSS OF STEERING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
GM DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Campaign 11V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleJan 6, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 11V007000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
8 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2025
Fuel pump failure caused my vehicle to stall not once, not twice, but THREE times in the middle of the interstate on my way back home from out of state. This was terrifying, especially since my kids were in the car with me. The entire vehicle shut off in the middle of traffic and I was in the far left lane
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 26, 2021
During refueling the fuel does not fill up and backs up coming out onto person fueling vehicle along with fuel pouring onto vehicle as well property. This is a major fire hazard and can cause serious burns to whomever is fueling vehicle let alone what can happen if the spill is ever to ignite from a electronic spark. This is a major problem and needs to be rectified as soon as possible, for it is eminent that someone will be injured and possible killed.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2019
STARTED MY TAHOE TO DRIVE HOME AND I'M GOING 70 MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE LIGHT POPS ON AND SAYS ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED PLUS IT SAYS SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE STABILITRAK. I WENT FROM 70 MPH TO 20 MPH IN LESS THAN 5 SECONDS AND NOW MY TAHOE IS SPUTTERING AND HAS NO POWER. THE WHOLE VEHICLE IS VIBRATING. I'VE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES AND I CAN'T GET THE ERROR TO GO AWAY. SITTING AT AN IDLE MY RPMS FLUCTUATE CONSISTENTLY. UNKNOWN BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS GOING OUT ON THE ENGINE, IT WOULD BE THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK OF THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DROP SPEED AND SPUTTER LIKE THIS NON STOP.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 23, 2019
MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE WAS IN MOTION ON A TOWN ROAD WHEN SEVERAL ALERTS CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD INCLUDING SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILINK AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THE LOCAL DEALER USED A SCAN TOOL AND FOUND DTC # P2135 - THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. GM HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN #11273A THAT AUTHORIZES FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER FOR AFFECTED VEHICLES. AFFECTED VEHICLES INCLUDE 2008 - 2011 CHEVY TAHOE'S. BUT GM SAYS MY VIN ON 2011 TAHOE IS NOT COVERED. THIS IS CLEARLY A MAJOR PART DEFECT FOR THAT SPANS MULTIPLE DECADES AND MULTIPLE GM VEHICLES THAT CAN RESULT IN THE VERY UNSAFE AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OR REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. CLEARLY THIS PART DEFECT IS AFFECTING MORE VEHICLES THAN JUST THOSE SELECTIVELY COVERED UNDER THE SERVICE BULLETIN. A CALL TO GM SERVICE RESULTED AS EXPECTED AND THEY WERE UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE WITH THE TPS IS MORE PERVASIVE THAN THEY HAVE CLAIMED. THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF MY REPAIR DESPITE THE FACT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 29, 2017
THERE ARE MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD MAKING IT A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THERE COULD BE HAZARDOUS DEBRIS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE DASH RATTLES AND CAN BE VERY LOUD. SECONDARILY THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL TANK. THE PUMP CONSTANTLY STOPS ITSELF NOT ALLOWING YOU TO PUT GAS IN THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS TO SEE IF THE ISSUE IS ISOLATED AND THIS IS NOT THE CASE. NO MATTER WHICH GAS STATION YOU CHOOSE THE VEHICLE WILL STOP THE PUMP AFTER A GALLON OR TWO.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 8, 2014
TRAVELING WEST ON I-10 FROM HOUSTON TO CALIFORNIA. ABOUT 15 MILES OUT OF VAN HORN TX GOING TO EL PASO THE CAR SHUT DOWN. ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. WE GOT OVER TO THE SHOULDER (IT WAS A STRUGGLE). THE CAR WAS DEAD. WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. CALLED FOR HELP. ABOUT 15-20 MIN. LATER TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. DROVE TO EL PASO AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SENSORS FROM THE GAS TANK TO THE ENGINE WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY (FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR). IT SHOULD READ ABOUT 50-60 PSI AND WE WERE READING ABOUT 43 PSI. IN SHORT THE COMPUTER TOLD MY ENGINE "WE ARE OUT OF GAS." SO THAT IS WHY IT JUST SHUT DOWN, EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT EMPTY. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS ALREADY A SIMILAR RECALL ALREADY ON CHEVY CARS/TRUCKS LIKE THE TRAILBLAZER. I THINK THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM ON MORE MODELS THAN WHAT IS BEING REPORTED! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 30, 2013
SO WHEN EVER I FUEL MY CAR AT THE PUMP BY CLICKING THE FUEL PUMP TO AUTO START, THE PUMP USUALLY STOP PUMPING AFTER ABOUT 15 SEC, AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO MANUAL FILL AGAIN WITH YOUR HANG OR START THE AUTO FUELING AGAIN. *TR SO TODAY WHEN I STARTED FUELING MY CAR AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 4 OR 5 GALLON OF FUELING HAD ALREADY ENTER THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL STARTED TO SPRAY OUT FROM THE NOZZLE WHERE YOU PLACE THE FUEL PUMP OUT, FUEL GOT ALL OVER MY BODY. I QUICK NOTICE IT, AND TURNED THE AUTO START PUMPING FEATURE OFF WITH MY HANDS. AFTERWARD, I WENT TO MY CAR AND CHECK HOW FILL WAS THE TANK, AND IT WAS ONLY 3/4 FULL. IT WASN'T FULL I WAS QUIET SURPRISED TO MY FINDING THAT GASOLINE STARTED SPRAYING OUT.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 5, 2013
I WAS DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY ( 495) AT ABOUT 2 PM ON 1/28/13, I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE CAME UP SAYING, SERVICE STABILITRAK, THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED. THIS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN TO THAT 65MPH TO ABOUT 35 RAPIDLY. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR IT WAS IDLING VERY ROUGH. I TURNED OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND WAS ABLE TO RESET MY COMPUTER. I WENT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A 2135 ERROR CODE( A THROTTLE BODY SENSOR ISSUE). *TR