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, Aug 5, 2016
DASHBOARD OF SUV HAS SMALL CRACK THAT IS GROWING AND STARTING TO SEPARATE THE DASH INTO TWO SECTIONS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2016
THE DASH ON MY VEHICLE HAS BROKEN 2X AND IS BROKEN AGAIN CAUSING THE DASH TO ALLOW AN OPENING WHERE ITEMS CAN FALL INTO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE BAG TO MALFUNCTION.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2016
THE DASH IS CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE. AND THE CRACKS KEEP GROWING. THE ADD WASHER FUEL LIGHT STAYS ON AND THERE IS FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2016
DASH CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES FORCING US TO REPLACE AT THE DEALER OVER SAFETY CONCERNS IF IN ACCIDENT. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE AS OUT OF WARRANTY
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 21, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY IN THE EVENT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. NO CHEMICAL OR CLEANER HAS EVER BEEN APPLIED TO THE DASH. IT LOOKS LIKE A STRESS CRACK OR MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2016
MY TAHOE WAS PARKED WHEN I NOTICED 2 CRACKS ON THE LEFT HAND CORNER BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON MY DASHBOARD. I ALSO HAVE A REALLY LARGE CRACK ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL . I AM CONCERNED THAT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS IN MULTIPLE AREAS WHICH HAS CREATED A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE AIRBAGS WERE TO DEPLOY. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE PLASTIC THAT IS CRACKED COULD FLY/HIT DRIVER/PASSENGER IN THE CASE OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
FRONT DASH HAS 2 CRACKS, ONE AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE OTHER IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2016
MY DASH IS CRACKING AND BREAKING AROUND MY AIRBAG. THIS SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN A CRASH. I'M WORRIED THAT EITHER THE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY AS IT SHOULD OR IF IT DOES, THERE WILL BE SHARDS OF PLASTIC DASH FLYING AROUND IN THE CAB. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE DASH, IT JUST STARTED CRACKING.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED WHERE THE AIRBAG PANEL IS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY TO MY KNOWLEDGE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2016
PLASTIC DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL LONG SHARP CRACKS WHICH HAVE BROKEN OFF FROM MAIN DASHBOARD. DISCONTINUED DRIVING VEHICLE DUE TO WORRY OF PLASTIC DISLODGING AND CAUSING HARM IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT OR BUMPY ROAD.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2016
CRACK APPEARED YESTERDAY (06/21/16) IN THE DASH - AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS TWO MAJOR CRACKS AND THE CENTER OF THE DASH IS FFALLING IN BECAUSE OF IT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 2, 2016
CRACKED DASH ABOVE AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (15 INCH CRACK) AND JUST ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHCIH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER.
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2016
MY VEHICLE IS PARKED UNDER A SHELTER. THE DASH CRACKED AT THE CORNER WHERE THE AIR BAG IS. IF YOU LOOK ON THE INTERNET, THERE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL, YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME EXACT LOCATION.
Other or unspecified, May 17, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2016
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE IS CRACKED AND MY CONCERN IS IT WILL AFFECT THE AIRBAG IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IT STARTED WITH A SMALL CRACK AND NOW IS CRACKED IN 3 PLACES. THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THIS SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
A RANDOM CRACK, ABOUT 2" LONG, APPEARED IN DASH JUST ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF STEERING WHEEL. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODE DURING 2007-2011 AND GM IS AWARE BUT IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
TYPICAL CHEVY TAHOE DASH CRACKING ISSUE. IT WORRIES ME THAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT THAT SHARP PIECES OF PLASTIC MAY CAUSE MORE HARM TO SOMEONE INSIDE THE CABIN THAN IF IT WAS ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED. GM IS AT FAULT FOR USING CHEAP MATERIALS AND THE CONSUMER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY. IT ISN'T CAUSED BY ANYTHING THAT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS OR ISN'T DOING. PURELY MATERIAL AND MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. WE PAY $50K FOR THESE TRUCKS EACH THE LEAST GM COULD DO IS SPEND THE $500 IF THAT PER VEHICLE TO REPLACE IT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2016
DASH CRACKED THEN THE PIECE FELL OUT FOR NO REASON
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2016
TAKATA RECALL THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ALONG THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND OVER THE DRIVER SIDE TACHOMETER. MY CONCERN IS WHEN AND IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD DEPLOY, THERE MIGHT POSSIBLY BE PROJECTILES FROM THIS DEFECTIVE CRACK. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE CRACK ABOVE THE TACHOMETER KEEPS GETTING LARGER. THE DASH IS CRACKED ALL OF THE TIME WHEN STATIONARY AND MOVING. I WENT TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE CRACKED DASH WAS A DEFECT FOR SURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THEY SEE THIS PROBLEM ALL OF THE TIME. WHEN WE CALLED GM ASSISTANCE, THEY STATED THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE DASH. THIS IS SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET. I AM NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN THE DASH FIRST CRACKED BECAUSE MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND IS NOT TALL ENOUGH TO SEE OVER THE DASH IN A SEATED POSITION. I DROVE HER CAR AND NOTICED IT MARCH OF 2016, BUT IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED SOONER.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2016
2011 CHEVY TAHOE 24K MILES DASH COVER IS CRACKED. VEHICLE IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND THE DASH HAS CRACKED. WORRIED ABOUT FURTHER DEGRADATION ESPECIALLY AROUND AIR BAG AS THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2016
TOP OF DASHBOARD CRACKED - NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE AIRBAG WORKING PROPERLY NOW. DEALER WANTS $1,000 TO FIX IT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2016
CRACKED DASH BY PASSENGER AIR BAG, VEHICLE ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES. CONCERNED BOUT DEBRIS OR PROJECTILES AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT