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 25, 2016
THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE NOT RUNNING. I OPENED THE LIFT GATE. IT OPENED FINE THEN WHEN I WENT TO PUT SOMETHING INTO THE CARGO AREA THE LIFT GATE STARTED SLOWLY CLOSING. I BACKED OUT FROM UNDER IT AND IT SUDDENLY CRASHED CLOSED NEARLY HITTING ME. THE STRUTS HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE. WE HAVE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE LIFT GATE AND PROP IT OPEN WITH A BROOMSTICK HANDLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYING, SHARDS OF CRACKED DASH CAN BECOME PROJECTILES. MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT SAME ISSUE, NO RESOLUTION FROM GM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS 3 CRACKS IN IT THAT RANDOMLY SHOWED UP, 2 AT THE TOP LEFT CORNER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE AIR BAG AND THE OTHER THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2016
CRACKED DASH BOARD ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND AROUND AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG AND OVER THE TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYING, SHARDS OF CRACKED DASH CAN BECOME PROJECTILES. MANY COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET ABOUT SAME ISSUE, NO RESOLUTION FROM GM.
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2016
ON 1-24-16 I WENT TO GET IN MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DASH WAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANELS. 1-27-16 I NOW NOTICE A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE AIR BAG. I AM WORRIED IF IN AN ACCIDENT THE CRACKED DASH IS GOING TO CAUSE MORE INJURIES. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER WHO PRETTY MUCH BLEW ME OFF. I ALSO EMAILED GM AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALER NO ONE WANTS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE FOR NO REASON.
Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2016
I HAVE A 2011 TAHOE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE DURING THE DAY AND IN MY COVERED CARPORT IN THE EVENINGS. IT HAS 58,000. MILES AND WHILE CLEANING THE TRUCK I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 INCHES LONG AND ANOTHER CRACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE, IN THE CORNER OF WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THESE CRACKS COULD JEOPARDIZE THE INTEGRITY OF THE AIRBAGS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO INCURE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THIS TRUCK IS STILL IN ABSOLUTE PERFECT CONDITION OTHERWISE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2016
MY DASH HAS CRACKED AND I'M WORRIED THAT IF I'M EVER IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I MAY BE INJURED IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY AND SEND PIECES OF THE DASH AT ME. SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH GM SUV'S AND TRUCKS. THERE IS EVEN A FACEBOOK PAGE WITH A COUPLE THOUSAND MEMBERS: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/GMDASHCRACK/
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2016
HI I CURRENTLY OWN A 2011 CHEVY TAHOE LT MODEL WITH 78,547 MILE ON IT AND THE DASH IS CRARCKED AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND WHICH I THINK MIGHT COMPRIMISE THE AIRBAG ON DEPLOYMENT WHICH WOULD PUT MY CHILDREN AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF A FATALITY IN THE EVENT THAT AN ACCIDENT OCCURS AND GM SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM ITS NOT JUST MINE BUT MOST ALL GM MODELS 07-13 ARE AFFECTED BY THIS AND WE AS THE CUSTOMERS ARE CONCERNED WITH OUR PASSENGERS SAFETY AND WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS RECALLED BEFORE SOMETHING FATAL DOES OCCUR THANKS .
Other or unspecified, Jan 16, 2016
I WAS WIPING DUST OFF THE DASHBOARD AND SAW A SMALL CRACK ON THE CORNER OF THE DASH THAT MEETS THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AS WELL AS A CRACK ON THE SAME DASH PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. AT THE TIME MY VEHICLE WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD BUT A FEW HUNDRED MILES PAST WARRANTY. I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SEVERAL OF THOSE THAT HAD THEIR DASH REPLACED WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. AFTER SEEING THE SAME TYPE OF COMPLAINT FROM OTHER OWNERS AND THE CRACKS ON MY DASH CONTINUING TO SPREAD, I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. MY CONCERN IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CRACKS CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION AND INFLATE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING INJURY. EVERY PERSON I KNOW THAT HAS THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND A REPLACEMENT WITH A DASH THAT IS MADE OF A MORE DURABLE, SAFER MATERIAL.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I10 SEPT 2015, NOTICED A SMALL CRACK DEVELOPED ON DASH OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HUMP. INITIAL CRACK WAS APPROXIMATELY 3" AND HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK AND EXTEND TOWARD THE DRIVER POSITION. DASH CRACK IS NOW 7". CONCERNED THE SHARP PLASTIC DASH COULD CAUSE ADDITIONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS 68,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2016
ONE DAY WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD RIGHT ABOVE THE LEFT SIDE OF PASSENGER AIRBAG PANEL COVER.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
MY DASHBOARD STARTING CRACKING ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. YOU CAN HEAR IT CRACKING AS YOU ARE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUES TO CRACK DEPENDING ON HOT AND COLD TEMPS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
MY DASH HAS A LARGE CRACK JUST ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2016
FRONT DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2016
REPLACED CRACKED DASHBOARD IN 2013 AND NOW THE NEW ONE IS CRACKING. VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2015
THERE ARE SEVERAL HAIRLINE CRACKS IN THE DASH BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN AND AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THIS VEHICLE HAS 48,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT PASSENGER INJURIES NOT TO FORGET THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FOR $53,000 AND EVIDENTLY HAS CHEAP AND POOR QUALITY MATERIALS . I HAVE REPLACED 2 DOOR HANDLES THAT BECAME SO LOOSE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THERE WERE BOLTS MISSING. A GM PRODUCT MADE IN AMERICA WITH THIS POOR QUALITY! MAKES ME WONDER WHAT IS NEXT!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2015
DASH IS CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CONCERNED THAT IF AIRBAGS WENT OFF DASH PIECES WOULD IMPALE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGERS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2015
CAME OUT TO TAKE THE KIDS TO SCHOOL AND THERE WAS A CRACK IN MY DASH NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. CRACK APPEARED OVER NIGHT, CAR WAS PARKED IN OCEANSIDE CA. CONCERN FOR PASSENGER AND FLYING DEBRIS OR IF AIRBAG WILL EVEN WORK PROPERLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2015
MY 2011 TAHOE HAS YET ANOTHER CRACK IN THE DASH. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS CHANGED BECAUSE I HAVE LESS THAN 30000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. NOW I HAVE 60000 AND IT HAS CRACKED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO PAY AT 250 OF THE COST OF REPAIR! NO SIR! I'M DOING NOTHING TO MY VEHICLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING TO CHANGE IT YET AGAIN. THIS IS NOT FAR! I USED TO LOVE CHEVY BUT NOW I'M NOT SO SURE!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2015
THE DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED AT SEVERAL PLACES, INCLUDING WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS IT HAPPENED SOMETIME IN SEPT'2015, EVEN THOUGH THE TAHOE ALWAYS IS PARKED IN SHADE (UNDER THE PORTE COCHERE) OR IN THE GARAGE. I HAVE CALLED GMAC AND THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $800 FOR A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT, ON CHEVY DASHBOARDS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2015
THREE DASH BOARD CRACKS APPEARED ON THE DASH OVERNIGHT. ONE CRACK NEAR DRIVERS DASH AREA UNDER WINDSHIELD, TWO OTHERS ON PASSENGER SIDE OF DASH BY THE AIRBAG. CONCERNED THIS COULD CAUSE ISSUES WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR CAUSE PROPER OPERATION ISSUES. THIS TAHOE WAS PERFECTLY FINE, CAME OUT TO CAR OVERNIGHT AND NOTICED THE CRACKS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2015, fire
WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT A LUBE SHOP IN MARBLE FALLS TEXAS AND THE PERSON THAT CHANGED THE OIL TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION DIP STICK TUBE WAS LOOSE SO HE COULDN'T CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE LEFT THE LUBE SHOP AND WAS DRIVING DOWN 1431 IN MARBLE FALLS WHEN A GENTLEMAN STOPPED US AND TOLD US THE TAHOE WAS ON FIRE. WE POPPED THE HOOD AND INDEED THERE WERE FLAMES IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WE CALLED THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAME TO OUR CALL WITHIN 10 MINUTES. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I SAW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TUBES BUT MY ISSUE IS THAT WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND THE WAY THE RECALL IS WRITTEN DOES NOT CONSIDER FIRE FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS HAPPENED ON 10/13/2015.