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
Air bags, Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 16, 2014
DASH BOARD IS CRACKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL AS AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE AIR BAG IS KEPT. MY FEAR IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE CRACKS THE AIR BAG COULD POSSIBLY DEPLOY WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE ACCIDENT OR TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE GM MODEL 2007 - 2014 TAHOES, YUKONS AND TRUCKS THAT THE DASHBOARDS ARE CRACKING IN THE SAME AREAS ON ALL OF THE VEHICLES AROUND THE AIR BAG. *TR
Structure, Jul 28, 2014
DRIVING AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP, THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL CRACKED AND THE DASHBOARD ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG CRACKED. *JS
Air bags, Structure, May 22, 2014
I OWN A 2011 TAHOE THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE AND IS IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I HAVE 2 CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD; ONE ON THE UPPER LEFT-HAND SIDE OF MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE OTHER RIGHT BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL. THIS CRACK IS ACTUALLY BRANCHING INTO TWO CRACKS NOW. I HAVE SOME SERIOUS CONCERNS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE IN THE EVENT I AM IN A COLLISION AND MY AIRBAGS NEED TO BE DEPLOYED. THIS CRACKED DASH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN TAHOES FROM AT LEAST 2007 AND NEWER AND I AM CONCERNED THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECALL THIS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING HOW FAR BACK IT APPEARS TO BE AFFECTING VEHICLES. MY CONCERN IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LACK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND/OR SHARDS OF SHARP PLASTIC FLYING THROUGH THE AIR IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION CAUSING INJURY TO PASSENGERS OR, IN THE EVENT MY AIRBAGS DO DEPLOY, A COMPROMISE TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR DEPLOYMENT DUE TO PUNCTURE. IT IS APPARENT THE DASH IS DEFECTIVE BY THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR ISSUES REPORTED BY CUSTOMERS. IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DASH IS ALREADY COMPROMISED DUE TO THESE CRACKS AND GM NEEDS TO CONSIDER THE SAFETY ISSUES POSED WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 11, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON A DRY SUNNY DAY. NO WEATHER ISSUES. SUDDENLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND VEERED OFF ACROSS THREE LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, ACROSS THE MEDIAN, THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL IN THE MEDIAN AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CAR CONTINUED AT HIGH SPEED BACK INTO THE MEDIAN, CLIPPING THE GUARDRAIL THREE MORE TIMES. WHEN I GOT MY SENSES BACK, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND PULLED OUT THE KEY. THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP IN THE MEDIAN. THE ONLY REASON THERE WERE NO INJURIES, IS THAT THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC ON THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. IT WAS TERRIFYING TO COMPLETELY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL TO STOP IT. I DON'T USE CRUISE CONTROL ANY MORE, HOPING THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. I HAD $6,000 OF DAMAGE, BUT I FELT INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *JS
Structure, Apr 3, 2014
THIS TAHOE HAS 2 CRACKS IN DASH . RIGHT AT THE AIR BAG SPACE & IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. THIS TAHOE HAS ONLY 47K MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT FOR GMC TO DO THIS TO THE BUYERS. *TR
Structure, Oct 4, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD BECAME CRACKED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Sep 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Apr 29, 2013
AFTER EVERY RAIN, THE REAR DOORS FILL WITH WATER. I CLEAR THE DRAIN HOLES REGULARLY BUT AFTER EACH RAIN I STILL NEED TO TAKE OFF THE SEAL AND LET THE WATER DRAIN. IF IT IS A HEAVY RAIN, THE DOORS TAKE OVER 15 MINUTES TO DRAIN BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPLETELY FULL. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS AFTER EVERY RAIN. I AM CONCERNED THAT RUST WILL FORM AND THAT THERE WILL BE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IF I AM NOT HOME FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER IT RAINS AND THE TRUCK IS SITTING, THIS MEANS THE WATER IS SITTING IN THERE. AT NIGHT, IF THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING, THIS WATER WILL FREEZE IN THE DOORS. THIS NEVER HAPPENED IN MY 2002 TAHOE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Structure, Dec 5, 2012, crash
I WAS DRIVING WEST ON RIO RD. IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, AT ROUGHLY 35 MPH. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM, A DEER EMERGED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED INSTANTANEOUSLY AND AVOIDING THE DEER WAS NOT AN OPTION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STRIKING THE DEER AT THE FRONT RIGHT BUMPER (UNDERNEATH HEADLIGHT), THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO DEPLOY FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT (ON THE SIDE NEAR SEATBELT) DID NOT DEPLOY. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT TWO AIRBAGS (FROM STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD) DID NOT DEPLOY AS WELL. MOREOVER, APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS BACK, ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER ALSO HIT A DEER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE (2011 CHEVY TAHOE) AND AT THAT TIME NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IN THIS INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH AND THE DEER STRUCK THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AT THE TIME, WE DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS, BUT NOW, WE ARE VERY, VERY CONCERNED THAT THERE'S A DEFECT. WE SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET DIRECTLY AND THEY ASSURE ME SOMEONE WILL COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK SOMETIME. I WOULD BE RELIEVED IF SOMEONE FROM THE NHTSA ALSO INVESTIGATES THESE TWO SCENARIOS. WHAT IS CHEVROLET'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ME AND MY FAMILY IN THESE TWO CASES? AND WHAT IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION? FURTHERMORE, I CAN ARRANGE FOR MY INSURANCE ADJUSTOR TO GATHER ANY DOCUMENTATION FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT (WHERE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY) SUCH AS PHOTOS, REPORTS AND PROVIDE THEM TO YOU. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I AM WAITING FOR A CHEVROLET REPRESENTATIVE TO COME AND INSPECT IT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR PROMPT ACTION IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU! *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 1, 2011
PURCHASED VEHICLE, AND TWO WEEKS LATER DROVE IT TO THE WASHINGTON COAST FROM BOISE, IDAHO (APPROXIMATELY 630 MILES). WHILE THERE THE BACK DRIVERSIDE REAR SEAT DOOR WORKED FINE. THEN ON THE FOURTH DAY, WE RETURNED FROM AN OUTING, AND IT WAS OKAY. WENT OUT LATER TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE CAR AND THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. EXTERNAL HANDLE COME OUT ABOUT AN INCH AND STAYED OUT (LIKE NO SPRING CONNECTED). DOOR WAS UNLOCKED (BUTTON UP). TRIED THE INSIDE HANDLE AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR EITHER. JUST SWUNG OUT AS NORMAL, BUT DIDN'T OPEN DOOR. THE FOLLOWING DAY WE RETURNED TO BOISE, AND DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE WHOLE WAY HOME. THE FOLLOWING MORNING WE WENT OUT TO UNLOAD SOME MORE THINGS. AND THE DOOR WORKED. I AM TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER WHO SAYS THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THIS WITH OTHER TAHOES. CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS SAFETY FACTOR. IF WE WERE TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE CAR AND BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DOOR DIDN'T OPEN, IT COULD BE A FACTOR TO SURVIVAL. ADDITIONALLY, IN THE EVENT OF A WATER ENTRY, SINCE THE REAR WINDOWS ONLY ROLL DOWN HALF-WAY, ESCAPE IS NECESSARY THROUGH THE DOOR. IN THIS CASE, AN INOPERATIVE DOOR COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. *KB