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: structure
85 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, May 21, 2018
CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED ON 18 MAY 2018 AND DID NOT NOTICE THE CRACK UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. RESEARCH HAS INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH MANY GM MODELS.
Air bags, Structure, Mar 15, 2018
I JUST BOUGHT MY USED 2011 CHEVY TAHOE. AFTER I DROVE IT HOME I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD UNDER THE WINDSHIELD KEEPS JUMPING BAD DUE TO 2 CRACKS. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THE DEARSHIP SAYS I BOUGHT IT AS-IS AND I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BEFORE SALE.
Structure, Feb 13, 2018
CRACK ON MY DASH EXTENDING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THIS WAS NOTED ONE MORNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A RATTLING SOUND IN MY DASH
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2017
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE LEFT UPPER SIDE OF THE DASH WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS. THIS HAPPENED WITH AROUND 60K MILES ON IT.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2017
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS. THE SPEAKER IN THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE BY THE DEALERSHIP AND IS THE ONLY TIME THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN TOUCHED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ON MY PART TO JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF THE DASHBOARD. AN INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN TAHOE'S. I HAVE RECEIVED NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THE DAMAGE ALONG WITH NO REASONABLE FIX ($1,500!!!!). I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED RELIGIOUSLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND AT NO POINT WAS I MADE AWARE THAT THIS WAS OR COULD BECOME AN ISSUE. NOW THEY TELL ME TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM!?!? DATE THIS OCCURRED IS UNKNOWN AND HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION.
Structure, Oct 25, 2017
CHEVROLET ALUMINUM AND CHROME PLATED WHEELS ARE CORRODING IF ALUMINUM OR RUSTING OF CHROME PLATED. IN MY CASE THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ARE CORRODING AROUND THE VALVE STEM HOLES AND I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT IF THE CORROSION GETS INTO THE WHEEL TIRE BEAD AREA THEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO PUT REPLACEMENT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I AM HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING AIR PRESSURE CONSTANT IN MY WHEELS BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHY. I SUSPECT THE WHEEL CORROSION IS GETTING INSIDE THE WHEELS BECAUSE OF THE AIR PRESSURE ISSUE. THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT WHEEL CORROSION IN A GREAT MANY INTERNET FORUMS AND THE REPLACEMENT WHEEL MARKET IS THRIVING FROM ALL THE TRUCKS HAVING TO REPLACE THEIR WHEELS LONG BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE TO. I TOOK MY 2011 TAHOE LT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND CHEVROLET SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T HAVE CHROME WHEELS BECAUSE THEY HAVE FAR MORE ISSUES THAN PEOPLE WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. SINCE THIS COULD REDUCE TIRE PRESSURES TO UNSAFE LEVELS I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD RESEARCH THIS ISSUE FOR POSSIBLE RECALLS. I BELIEVE ALL MODELS OF GM TRUCKS FROM AT LEAST 2011 FORWARD HAVE THIS ISSUE.
Structure, Sep 19, 2017
WE HAVE A CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AIRBAG. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET GM TO FIX THE CRACK AND THE 1ST OPTION FROM A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS TO REFER US TO A MAN THAT COULD FILL IT IN CAN PAINT IT TO MATCH. A 3 YEAR OLD CHILD USING SILLY PUDDY COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB AND THE CRACK WAS STILL THERE. OUR NEXT TRY WAS TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX IT AND REFERRED US TO A COMPANY DOWN THE STREET TO REPAIR IT. THAT COMPANY WAS A CAR ACCESSORY STORE THAT SAID THEY DIDN'T DO THAT TYPE OF WORK. THEN I EMAILED GM BECAUSE MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL GM MODELS. SO I EMAIL GM, WHO FIRST TOLD ME THAT IT WASN'T ANYTHING THEY COULD DO. AFTER I EXPLAINED I WAS A LOYAL CUSTOMER FOR SOME 30+ YEARS AND WHEN I PURCHASED THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, WE ALSO BOUGHT A SILVERADO PICKUP AT THE SAME TIME. THEN I WAS REFERRED TO SOMEONE ELSE AND OVER A PERIOD OF 3 WEEKS, I FINALLY GO TO SPEAK WITH A PERSON WHO INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND LET THEM GET AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST. THEY FIGURED THE COST AT $800.00 AND TOLD US WE HAD TO PAY $500.00 AND THEY WOULD COVER $300.00. I CAN'T SEE WHY WE MUST PAY FOR A DESIGN DEFECT THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED FROM HAPPENING. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR AND I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP IT IN GOOD CONDITION. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR FLAWS IN THE DESIGN OF ANY CAR THAT'S BEING SOLD?
Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2017
THE DASH BOARD HAS SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. WHEN ASKED A DEALER ABOUT IT THEY SAID THIS WAS VERY COMMON FOR CHEVYS. IT'S INTERESTING THAT THIS INFORMATION IS POSTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET, WHY WOULD CHEVROLET COMPROMISE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. ALSO THE SIDE TRIM IS FALLING OFF
Structure, Sep 8, 2017
MY FRONT DASH BOARD CRACKED. IT WAS NOT MOVING. NOTHING HAS BEEN SET ON THE DASH. I NOTICED ONE AFTERNOON, THE FRONT CRACKED.
Structure, Jul 11, 2017
MY DASH IN MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE HAS CRACKED FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO THE CLUSTER ABOVE STEERING WHEEL. DASH WOULD MAKE A POPPING SOUND WHEN DRIVING,THATS WHEN I NOTICED CRACK
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 6, 2017
SPONTANEOUS WINDSHIELD CRACK, ORIGINATING FORM PASSENGER SIDE UPPER RIGHT CORNER TO CENTER OF WINDSHIELD; APPROX 8" LONG. CRACK IN DASH PERPENDICULAR TO PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA, APPROX 2" LONG. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN COVERED GARAGE FOR 72 HOURS, DISCOVERED UPON NEXT USE.
Structure, May 30, 2017
GETTING BASEBALL EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE, THE POWER LIFTGATE ROSE ALMOST TO THE TOP AND THEN STARTED TO AUTO CLOSE ON MY SON. THE FORCE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM IF SOMEONE WASN'T THERE. I'M A PHYSICALLY FIT MAN AND I HAD DIFFICULTY HOLDING UP THE LIFT GATE.
Structure, May 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED THROUGH TO THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT EXPOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PENSKE CHEVROLET 3210 E 96TH ST INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240 317-846-6666) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *JS
Structure, May 6, 2017
I PURCHASED MY TAHOE DECEMBER 31ST 2016 AND I NOTICED A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING BIGGER.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Apr 19, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD EXTENSIVE CRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE GLOVE BOX ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE PARTS HAD NOT YET BEEN SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO THE DEALER SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE AIR BAG RECALL MAY BE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Mar 15, 2017
DASHBOARD RIGHT BY PASSENGER AIRBAG CRACKED. DASH VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING AND I'M WORRIED IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THAT PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL BREAK OFF AND BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE CABIN.
Structure, Jan 3, 2017
VEHICLE DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS INCLUDING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE PLATFORM INCLUDING THE GMC YUKON, GMC YUKON XL, GMC SIERRA, CHEVY TAHOE, CHEVY SUBURBAN, AND CHEVY SILVERADO ALL WITHIN THE 2007-2013 MODEL YEARS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DISCUSSIONS THREADS POSTED ONLINE AS WELL AS SOCIAL GROUPS IN WHICH OWNERS ARE INFORMING THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY OF THEIR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CRACKED DASHBOARD COULD FRAGMENT AS THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED CAUSING PROJECTILES WITHIN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS MATERIAL DEFECT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THERE IS NO EXCUSE AS TO WHY THESE DASHBOARDS ARE CRACKING. *TR
Structure, Dec 29, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING AT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DRIVER'S SIDE
Structure, Nov 4, 2016
DASH CRACKING IN 2 SPOTS AND CRACKS KEEP GETTING LONGER.
Structure, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. THE DASHBOARD FIRST BEGAN CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING. IT THEN BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Aug 27, 2016
NOTICED LARGE CRACKED ON DASH BOARD ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND AROUND AIRBAG. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF CRACK AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND DASH SHOULD BE REPLACED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
CRACKED DASH
Structure, Aug 17, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING - FROM UNKNOWN REASON
Structure, Aug 9, 2016
I BOUGHT A CHEVROLET TAHOE 20111, AND I NOTICED THAT THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREA. THE TRUCK HAS 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTED PART WITH OUT CHARGING. AFTER DOING SEVERAL RESEARCH ABOUT THESE VEHICLE THEY ARE MANY TRUCKS OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS POOR QUALITY PLASTIC. I NEED YOU HELP AND GUIDANCE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM I PAID $35,000 FOR A TRUCK WITH A DEFECTED DASHBOARD. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Jul 18, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS STARTED CRACKING CAUSING CONCERNS OVER DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY