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: other or unspecified
213 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2020
DASHBOARD HAS 2 CRACKS. ONE BY THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG AND THE OTHER OVER THE DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE. I WROTE A LETTER TO GM AND THE WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION OR HELP WITH REPLACEMENT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2020
FRONT DASH CRACKING AND SMALL PIECES ARE LOOSE AND COME LOOSE AND CAN HIT THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER IN THE EYE
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2020
CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE ON THE CITY STREET AND NOTICED THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED UP. THERE ARE THREE CRACKS CAUSING AN EAR ACHING SQUEAKING. TWO OF THE CRACKS ARE OVER THE STAIRING WHEEL GOING TOWARD THE FRONT VENT AND THE OTHER CRACK IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, LEFT HAND FRONT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HATCH TOWARD THE FRONT VENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION YOU HAVE TO TURN THE VOLUME UP ON THE RADIO TO TUNE OUT THE EAR DRUM PIERCING SQUEAK. THE CRACKS CAME ON A HOT SUMMER DAY, I BELIEVE THAT MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED......
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2019
DASHBOARD CRACKED NEXT TO THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER. NOTICED WHEN I GOT IN TAHOE WHICH IS GARAGE KEPT IN THE NORTHEAST.
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2019
DASH HAS TWO CRACKS RIGHT ABOVE THE DRIVER'S STEERING SECTION NEAR THE MIDDLE. IT SHAKES WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES A TREMENDOUS DISTRACTION DUE TO THE WAY IT FLAPS. THIS IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON INTERSTATES AND NORMAL STATE ROADS. THE MOVEMENT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT, TIRES ALIGNED AND BALANCED, IT DOES NOT HELP. THIS IS A DANGEREOUS DISTRACTION AND A DASH SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING THIS QUICKLY, THIS IS A WIDE PROBLEM ACROSS MANY GM TRUCKS AND SUVS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2019
THE DASH IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THE MAJOR CONCERN IS THE CRACKED AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THERE'S NO DOUBT PIECES OF THE DASH WILL BECOME FLYING DEBRIS IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN AFTERMARKET COVER ON THE DASH TO HOPEFULLY KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING. ALSO, THE RATTLING OF THE DASH WILL ABSOLUTELY DRIVE YOU CRAZY ON ANY LENGTH OF DRIVE TIME. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO AN EPIDEMIC FOR 07-13 MODELS AND CHEVROLET SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2019
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED OVER THE STEERING WHEEL COWL AND BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND CRACKED WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF PURCHASE (LIKE MAYBE 3 YEARS).
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2019
MY DASH SPLIT AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ON THE 'HOOD' ABOVE THE GAUGES. IT'S RIDICULOUS HOW WIDE SPREAD OF A PROBLEM THIS IS ON THESE YEAR MODEL, YET CHEVROLET CHARGES $360 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 3, 2019
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. GO TO HIGH BEAMS AND MOTOR IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO REV UP/DOWN, AND RUN ERRATIC. SWITCH BEAMS TO NORMAL POSITION=IT STOPS. WHEN DEPRESSING KEY FOB TO OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS, IT ONLY WORKS FREQUENTLY. BIZARRE ELECTRICAL ISSUE....
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2019
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING IN TO PEICES
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 22, 2019
DASHBOARD JUST CRACKED WHILE DRIVING CITY STREET
Other or unspecified, May 15, 2019
DASH BOARD CRACKING IN TWO PLACES- BY PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ON DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE ODOMETER. THE CRACKS ARE PROGRESSING TO LARGER CRACKS AND CAN BE OF SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, May 10, 2019
DASH BOARD CRACKED BY PASSENGER AIR BAG POSSIBLY COMPROMISING SAFETY. FEARFUL THAT AIR BAG STABILITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2019
THERE ARE TWO CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD: ONE IS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FROM FRONT TO BACK STARTS UNDER THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDS TO THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL; THE OTHER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTS UNDER THE WINDSHIELD AND EXTENDS TO THE AIR BAG COVER. I'M CONCERNED THAT THESE CRACKS MAY COMPROMISE EITHER OR BOTH AIR BAGS SHOULD THEY BE DEPLOYED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2019
'SERVICE AIRBAG' MESSAGE APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD SCREEN. POSSIBLY CONNECTED TO NUMEROUS CRACKS ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 90K MILES. CRACKS APPEARED WHEN IT HAD APPROXIMATELY 40K MILES. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED AT THAT TIME.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2019
DASH BOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING...STARTED FROM THE CORNERS OF THE AIRBAG....NOW I HAVE CRACKS ALL OVER THE DASHBOARD.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2019
I HAVE TWO CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. ONE IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT NEAR THE AIRBAG AND ONE IN ONE THE DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINANTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT PUZZLES ME WHY CHEVY WOULD NOT DO A RECALL. MY 2011 IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF SO IT IS NOT NEGLECT ON MY PART.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2019
2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE CRACKING DASHBOARD. CRACKS (3) APPEARED OVER THE COURSE OF 12 MONTHS (SPRING OF 2018 START). FIRST OCCURRED BY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, SECOND OVER THE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (CENTER), THIRD CRACK RECENTLY OCCURRED LOWER LEFT OF DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN CRACKS OCCURRED (HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING). VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR ABUSE. THE CRACKING DASHBOARD MAY BE THE RESULT OF A POOR ENGINEERING AND/OR MATERIAL COMPOSITION DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT/SECURE THE DASHBOARD AND SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS THAT ALLOWS FOR VIBRATION (CRACKING FAILURES). CRACKED DASHBOARD COMPONENTS MAY CAUSE INJURY AND IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2019
CRACKS IN THE DASH BOARD. ONE NEAR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE OTHER AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2019
THE UPPER DASHBOARD ON MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS AND IS LITERALLY FALLING APART. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IT IS ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE A CRACKED DASHBOARD, PARTICULARLY ONE THAT IS DAMAGED AROUND THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG, CAN YIELD FLYING PROJECTILES IN THE EVENT THAT AN ACCIDENT TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED ISSUE BUT GM HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL OR OFFERED TO INVESTIGATE AT ALL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2019
DASH IS CRACKED IN TOW SEPERATE AREAS. ONE ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND ONE ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THIS CAUSES A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, IN THAT IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, FLYING DEBRIS COULD HARM MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. THIS CRACKS HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, OTHER THAN BEING CHEAPLY MADE AND INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NOT TOUCHED WHEN THESE CRACKS OCCURRED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2019
CRACKED DASHBOARD. - SEVERELY CRACKED IN 3 LOCATIONS (OTHER SMALLER CRACKS). DASHBOARD UNSTABLE WHEN DRIVING, RATTLES, VIBRATES IN CRACKED LOCATIONS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS AND IS NOT A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE ITS ENTIRE LIFE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2018
CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE DRIVER INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO BIG CRACK BY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG I'M AFRAID IF DEPLOYED MAY HAVE FLYING OBJECTS
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2018
I HAVE A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT AND IT HAS TWO CRACKS ON THE DASH. ONE ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE OTHER ABOVE THE ODOMETER. AS I SEARCH THE WEBSITE I AM SEEING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE GMC YUKON, CHEVROLET TAHOE, AVALANCHE AND SUBURBAN