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 20, 2017
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED OVER THE AIRBAGS AND OVER THE GAUGES IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THE AIR BAGS WERE TO GO OFF AND SEND PLASTIC SHARDS FLYING. DASH WAS ALREADY CRACKED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND IT'S SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2017
THE DASH HAS CRACKED BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, AND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS ALL BEGAN AT 46K MILES. I HAVE NEVER USED ANY CHEMICALS ON THE DASH, AND KEEP A SUNSHADE IN THE WINDSHIELD
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2017
THE DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING. IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT I FEEL THAT THE DASH WOULD CRACK MORE AND THROW PIECES INTO THE FACE OF THE DRIVER AND OR PASSENGER.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2017
I RECEIVED A NOTICE TODAY STATING THAT THE AIRBAGS ON MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE BAGS WOULD BE AT NO COST TO ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER IS DELILLO CHEVROLET, HERE IN HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA. DAVE WEIGE
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2017
I HAVE A LARGE CRACK GOING DOWN THE DASHBOARD OF MY TRUCK THE STEMS DIRECTLY FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AS WELL AS CHEVROLET REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THERE WOULD BE SOME SORT OF AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, MY DASH WOULD EITHER IMPROPERLY SUPPORT THE AIRBAG AT EXPLOSION OR PIECES OF SCRAP PLASTIC WOULD FLY AROUND THE CABIN
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2017
RECENTLY, I HAVE NOTICED A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. I NOTICED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASH TO THE UPPER LEFT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AIRBAG. THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER PLACE ON THE DASH THAT HAS CRACKED AND CAUSES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I CANNOT PINPOINT EXACTLY WHEN THE CRACKED HAPPENED. BUT, AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN CERTAIN GMC VEHICLES FOR YEARS 2007-2014. I PERSONALLY KNOW TWO PEOPLE THAT OWN GMC/CHEVY SUVS THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT CRACK ON THE TOP AREA OF THE DASH. I AM MAINLY CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT MY AIRBAG DOES DEPLOY, THERE COULD BE SHRAPNEL BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION AND SEVERITY OF THE CRACK. ALSO, THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS CRACK WOULD AT ALL INTERFERE WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2017
THE ENTIRE DASH IN MY 2011 CHEV TAHOE IS IN DISINTEGRATION. DURING THE LAST THREE MONTHS IT IS CRACKING INTO MANY PIECES. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND IS A PROBLEM FOR ALL OWNERS UNTIL 2016. WHAT IS GM DOING ABOUT THIS FACTORY DEFECT IN MATERIALS?? THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND IS GETTING WORSE AND CRACKING ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. MY SON HAS SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 2012 GMC YUKON. GM WANTED $2000.00 TO REPLACE DASH UNIT. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IF DASH COMES APART WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK.
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
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES (JOINT NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG & SEVERAL PLACES ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DRIVER SIDE). WE'RE CONCERNED THAT A FRONT END IMPACT ACCIDENT COULD CAUSE A PIECE TO SHEAR OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO EITHER THE AIRBAGS OR THE PASSANGERS THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT. DASHBOARD HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE AT OUR EXPENSE. VEHICLE HAS MOSTLY BEEN GARAGE KEPT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE 2011. IT WAS REPLACED BY GENERAL MOTORS AT ED MORSE SAWGRASS CHEVROLET IN SUNRISE, FL IN APRIL OF 2014 DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE MATERIAL CAUSING THE DASHBOARDS TO CRACK OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. NOW THE NEW DASHBOARD THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE IN 2014 IS CRACKING IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE ORIGINAL DASHBOARD. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND ED MORSE SAWGRASS CHEVROLET AND THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT, BUT REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM STATING IT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD, WHICH IS NOT TRUE. WITH THE DASHBOARD CRACKING, IT IS CAUSING SHARP LOOSE PIECES OF PLASTIC THAT CAN IMPALE THE OCCUPANTS IN A SUDDEN STOP AND/OR COLLISION. THE PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSED DUE TO WEATHER EXPOSURE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT WITH ONLY 48,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND LAWSUITS ARE PENDING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES DUE TO THE PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2017
DASH HAS CRACKED IN 4 SEPARATE PLACES. ONE CRACK IS AT THE AIR BAG, COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ISSUES WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OR DEBRIS FROM DASH BREAKING OFF IF AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2017
DASH BOARD CRACK. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND IT HAS CRACKED AGAIN AND COME LOOSE FROM THE PANEL UNDER THE WINDSHEILD.
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2017
MY 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ IS GARAGE KEPT. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN CRACKING IN MARCH 2017 FROM UNKNOWN INJURY/ACCIDENT AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED. NOW, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD MAKES NOISE AND "FLAPS" REPEATEDLY. WHEN THIS BEGAN, MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES AND NOW MY CAR IN AUGUST 2017 HAS 85,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2017
GOT INTO MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ ON A SPRING AFTERNOON, STARTED THE TRUCK, PUT MY TRUCK IN DRIVE, STARTED MOVING AND HEARD A VIBRATING NOISE. LOOKED AROUND MY DASH AND NOTICED 2 CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD. WHICH HAS NOW TURNED INTO 2 CRACKS ON MY DASH. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN SO FAST? NOW I AM READING ONLINE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN MODELS. WHY ISN'T THIS BEING HANDLED BY GM? NICE TRUCK WHEN I FIRST GOT IT BUT NOW I AM THINKING ABOUT TRADING IN FOR ANYTHING BUT THIS. I'VE HAD THE TRUCK 4 YEARS AND HAVE A CRACKED DASH AND SMELLS OF MOLD THAT MY CAR DEALER CAN'T FIND THE CAUSE OF. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN YOU GM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2017
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. SEVERE RATTLE AND NOISY WHILE OPERATING. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS I HAVE READ THIS ISSUE IS BEING SEEN IN 1000'S OF VEHICLES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS IN TO CHEVROLET DEALERS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WITH NO HELP OR ASSISTANCE. GREATLY EFFECTS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2017
CRACK ON DASH NEAR AIR BAG - THIS HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO SO I STARTED DOING ONLINE RESEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH GMS DASHES. FOUND THIS FACEBOOK GROUP "07-13 GM CRACKED DASH SAFETY HAZARD FOR ALL TRUCKS" AND REALIZED SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED YET. SHE TOLD ME IN THE MEANTIME TO MAKE SURE I KEEP A CAR SHADE ON WHEN IT'S OUTSIDE (WHICH I ALREADY DO). SHE ALSO SAID THERE IS A CHANCE I WILL SEE ADDITIONAL CRACKS OVER TIME. MY CONCERN IS IF THE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY, WOULD THE CRACK CAUSE MY DASH OR PARTS OF IT TO SHATTER AND/OR MAKE THE AIRBAG LESS EFFECTIVE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, MY DASHBOARD HAS 2 CRACKS IN IT,,,,OVER THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THEN OVER THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS A DIAGONAL CRACK FROM THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE AIR BAG COVER TOWARD THE DRIVER AND WINDOW. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH LONG AND .060 WIDE. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK ON THE DASH ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES THAT IS APPROXIMATELY 3 INCHES LONG AND SOME WHAT THIN AND JAGGED. IT STARTS SLIGHT LEFT OF THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT WHERE THERE IS A TRANSITION RADIUS AND RUNS TOWARD THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH OF THESE CRACKS OCCURRED DURING FREEZING OUTSIDE TEMPERATFURES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2017
DASH CRACKED IN 2 SPOTS......1 OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL.... 1 AT THE AIR BAG
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2017
MULTIPLE CRACKS ACROSS THE DASHBOARD HAVE FORMED, IN SOME CASES COMPLETELY BISECTING THE DASHBOARD PIECES. I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THE AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED OR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THESE SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC WILL BECOME PROJECTILES. I WAS JUST QUOTED A PRICE OF $1400 BY MY DEALER TO REPLACE THE DASH, BUT IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2017
THE DASH ON MY GARAGE KEPT TAHOE IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT DAMAGE COULD BE DONE IF IN A WRECK AND THE SHARP PIECES ARE FLYING IN OUR FACES. THE FIRST CRACK BY THE AIRBAG HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY..I HEARD A LOUD POP AND IT SCARED ME TO DEATH. THE SECOND CRACK ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING BUT NOT AS LOUD.
Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2017
CRACKED DASHBOARD. MULTIPLE CRACKS INCLUDING ONE BY PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2017
THE DASH BOARD OF THE TRUCKS IS CRACKING. IT HAS FIVE CRACKS NOW AND GETTING LONGER. IT STARTED TO CRACK WITHIN THE FIRST 4 YEARS.