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, Nov 17, 2018
DASHBOARD SPLIT SEVERAL DIFFERENT AREAS OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PASSENGER AIRBAG
Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2018
MY DASH BOARD . MY DASH BOARD HAS BEEN CRACKED FOR THE LAST YEAR I'M SCARED THE AIRBAG MIGHT POP . I SEE THE COMPLAINS ALL DAY ONLINE , I LOVE MY TAHOE BUT THAT DASH IS CRAZY TO HEAR CHEVY DOESN'T WANT REPLACE IT . IF ANY ONE KNOWS WHO'S I NEED TO CALL PLEASE REPLY .
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2018
IGNITION LOCK ACTUATOR BIND MAKING TURNING THE KEY DIFFICULT AND CAUSING THE IGNITION TO GET STUCK IN THE START POSITION EVEN WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF.
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2018
CRACKED DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FROM THE AIRBAG TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED AT THE SEAM AND IS CREEPING TOWARD THE STEERING WHEEL ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2018
MY VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED DASH DIRECTLY ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I HEARD A "POP" WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON HWY 41 IN KENNESAW, GA AND SPOTTED THE CRACK AFTER STOPPING TO INVESTIGATE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2018
MY DASH CRACKED OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO. IT STARTED OUT AS TWO SMALL CRACKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE TOP CENTER VENT BY THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE THE 2011 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ VERSION WITH A SPEAKER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. THE SPEAKER DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE ANY SUPPORT FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE SPEAKER AND THE DASH CRACKS HAVE NOW GROWN TOWARDS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALSO BY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. THE CRACKS ARE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CENTER SPEAKER AND NOW THE SPEAKER JUST CONSTANTLY FLOPS UP AND DOWN WITH NORMAL DRIVING. THE FLOPPING SPEAKER WITH NO (SUPPORT) IS CAUSING THE CRACK TO GET WORSE AND WORSE. THE CRACKS ARE SPIDER WEBBING NOW AND GETTING MUCH LONGER EVERYDAY I DRIVE IT TO WORK. WHILE RESEARCHING WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS ISSUE I DISCOVERED THAT SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ABOUT MULTIPLE GM MODEL VEHICLES HAVING CRACKED DASH BOARDS BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2007 AND 2014. THE DASH COVER OPTION BEING SUGGESTED TO HIDE THE CRACKS IS IN NO WAY A SAFE AND RELIABLE SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT INTERFERES WITH THE MANUFACTURERS AIRBAG SAFETY DESIGN AND AND SPECIFIED ASSURED CLEARANCE FOR DEPLOYMENT. THE COVERS DO NOT ADHERE TO THE RATED SPECIFICATION OF THE AIR BAG. ANYONE WHO HAS EVER WORKED IN A PLANT WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE MANUFACTURED KNOWS HOW PRECISE AND SPECIFIC THESE STRICT GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE HELD TO.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2018
MULTIPLE LARGE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD. BETWEEN DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT, THE CRACKS CREATED A LOOSE, FLOPPY DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2018
THE DASHBOARD HAS A CRACK ALONG THE AIRBAG DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLORE THE CRACK IS COMPLETE ACROSS THE NARROW DASH. IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG MAY OR MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY CONSIDER THIS TO BE A HIGHLY UNSAFE CONDITION REQUIRING PROPER REPAIR. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN KEPT IN GARAGE UNLESS TRAVELING THEREFORE FEEL THIS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2018
THE DASH IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES ON DRIVER SIDE ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALSO IS CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL, I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AS WELL AS MY PASSENGERS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, OF PIECES FLYING FROM DASH IN CASE OF A FRONTAL COLLISION. GM NEEDS TO RECALL DUE TO PROBLEM
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 30, 2018
I BOUGHT MY 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO (USED, BUT IN GREAT CONDITION) - WITHIN A MONTH MY DASH HAD CRACKED. NOTHING THAT I DID AT ALL! MY NORMAL DRIVING EVERYDAY KEEPS ME WITH 20-30 MILES MAXIMUM, ON VERY WELL MADE ROADS (NOTHING EXTREME). I PAID TO GET IT FIXED (THE FIRST TIME) AND NOW 4 YEARS LATER AND IT HAS CRACKED AGAIN. AFTER THE FIRST TIME I PAID TO GET IT FIXED, THEY ACTUALLY DIDN'T INSTALL THE DASH CORRECTLY AND THEN SAID THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT IT WAS MESSED UP AND DEMANDED THAT I PAY FOR IT. I REFUSED AND SAID THAT I WAS DONE WITH IT. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT ABOVE MY AIRBAGS, AND LIKE I SAID, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 4 YEARS THAT MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2018
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING
Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2018
THE DASH ON MY 2011 IS CRACKING. IT STARTED OUT WITH A LITTLE CRACK AND IS SPREADING ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2018
THE DASH IS BREAKING APART IN AT LEAST 4 PLACES. MY WIFE AND I FEAR THAT IF THE AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED, EITHER FROM ACCIDENT OR FAULT, THE SHRAPNEL WILL KILL US. I WILL POST PICTURES IF APPROACHED...TO LARGE FOR YOUR SPECIFICATION.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 3, 2018
DASHBOARD CRACKING AND IT IS LOOKING UNSAFE IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2018
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I'VE SEEN A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD AND IT JUST CRACKED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 19, 2018
2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ - THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. INCLUDING NEAR BOTH AIRBAGS. IT NOT ONLY MAKES FOR AN EXTREMELY NOISY AND ANNOYING RIDE, IT ALSO POSES A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS AND PARTS OF THE DASH ARE THROWN IN THE DIRECTION OF PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2018
MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ DASHBOARD FRACTURED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE PLASTIC ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND PROGRESSIVELY RATTLED UNTIL IT SEPARATED. IT THEN CRACKED IN THE AREA IN FRONT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTINUES TO RATTLE AND THE CRACK IS GETTING LONGER. THE AREA OF THE DASH BETWEEN THESE 2 CRACKS RATTLES VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I AM SEVERELY CONCERNED ABOUT SHARDS OF THE DASH BECOMING DETACHED IN A COLLISION AND INJURING ME OR AN OCCUPANT OF MY CAR. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WILL BE COMPROMISED AND MAY ITSELF CAUSE THE DASH TO SHATTER AND CREATE SHARP PROJECTILES IN A COLLISION. THIS OCCURRED ORGANICALLY OVER TIME AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY A SINGLE EVENT IN TIME. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER TRUCKS WITH SAME MODEL DASH AS MINE THAT ALL HAVE THE SAME CRACKS IN THE SAME AREAS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT THAT GM HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS. I HAVE CONTACTED GM CORPORATE AND BEEN SENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE CONTACTED MULTIPLE LOCAL DEALERS THAT HAVE ALL STATED THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT GM IS ADDRESSING EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ALL SEEN DOZENS OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUES. MY VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE IN PERFECT CONDITION AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT WILL COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND HAS LOWERED THE VALUE SHOULD I CHOOSE TO SELL THE VEHICLE. I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA CAN ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT GM REFUSES TO AND FORCE THEM TO REPLACE THESE FAULTY DASH BOARDS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2018
DASH BOARD HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS IN IT. IT IS VERY LOOSE AND RATTLES. CRACKS ARE OVER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2018
THE UPPER PART OF THE DASH HAS SEVERAL CRACKS AROUND THE DEFROST OUTLETS AND AIRBAG COMPARTMENT
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2018
DASHBOARD HAS 3 CRACKS. ONE NEXT TO PASSENGER AIRBAG, ONE THAT STARTS CLOSE TO WINDSHIELD AND MOVES TOWARDS THE DASH GAUGES STRAIGHT AT THE DRIVER AND THE LAST ONE IS NEXT TO THE GAUGE CRACK BUT SMALLER. IT SEEMS THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH GM. IT HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH IT BEING NEXT TO AIRBAG AND IN FRONT OF DRIVER AS WELL. THESE CRACKS APPEAR BECAUSE OF THE CHEAP PLASTIC AND NOTHING ELSE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2018
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ON DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING A SAFE RISK .THE CRACK IS ALL THE WAY DOWN BY WINDSHIELD AND GOES ALL THE UP TO ATOP OF STAIRING WHEEL .FEELS LIKE DASHBOARD IS LOOSE
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2018
DASH CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES WITHOUT ANY FORCE NOR INTENTIONAL DAMAGE. A SUNSHADE HAS BEEN USED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW; I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.
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.
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.