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: vehicle speed control
7 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2024
1. Dashboard has been cracking for years, now the defrost vent fins are breaking off. Happens when I clean the inside of the windshield. Makes flapping noise when I use defroster. 2. The interior light switch on the passenger side front door does not work anymore. 3. The cruise control will randomly turn itself off and other times speed up by itself.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 1, 2021
JUST PURCHASED TRUCK IT HAS NOT BEEN 30 DAYS AND THE SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FASTER ON ITS OWN. WHICH WAS VERY SCARY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON PLUS TRACTION CONTROL AND IT SOMETIMES WON'T GO OVER 70 MPH. I FEEL LIKE I WAS TOLD TRUCK WAS IN GREAT CONDITION BUT IT'S NOT AND SCARED IT MIGHT ACCELERATE ON ITS ON WITH KIDS IN CAR. I WAS ON HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WORK FROM HOME SO I HAVEN'T REALLY HAD CHANCE TO DRIVE TRUCK BUT I FEEL UN SAFE DRIVING IT BERGER CHEVROLET SHOULD BE SHAMED I HAVE CALLED MULTIPLE MANAGERS WITH NO CALL BACK
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2021
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE AREAS CAUSING RATTLING AND PLASTIC BITS BREAKING OFF AND FALLING INTO THE DASH AREA. I'M CONCERNED THIS POORLY STRUCTURED DASH WILL LOSE INTEGRITY ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE OR POTENTIALLY CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN OTHER AREAS UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THIS POOR DASH DESIGN IS WELL KNOWN IN THE TAHOE COMMUNITY. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS SOMETIMES AND COMPLETELY DOESN'T WORK OTHER TIMES. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY OF WHEN IT WILL WORK OR NOT WORK. WHEN I HIT THE INITIAL START UP BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL, THE LIGHT ON THE WHEEL WILL LIGHT UP. HOWEVER, IF I HIT THE 'SET' BUTTON ON THE WHEEL, THE ACTUAL CRUISE CONTROL WILL SOMETIMES ACTIVATE AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL COME ON CONFIRMING IT IS SET AND WORKING. BUT SOMETIMES WHEN I HIT THE 'SET' BUTTON, NOTHING HAPPENS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NEVER ACTIVATES. THIS IS AT ANY SPEED.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 11, 2014, crash
I WAS DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY ON A DRY SUNNY DAY. NO WEATHER ISSUES. SUDDENLY, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND VEERED OFF ACROSS THREE LANES OF THE HIGHWAY, ACROSS THE MEDIAN, THROUGH THE GUARDRAIL IN THE MEDIAN AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CAR CONTINUED AT HIGH SPEED BACK INTO THE MEDIAN, CLIPPING THE GUARDRAIL THREE MORE TIMES. WHEN I GOT MY SENSES BACK, I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND PULLED OUT THE KEY. THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP IN THE MEDIAN. THE ONLY REASON THERE WERE NO INJURIES, IS THAT THERE WAS LITTLE TRAFFIC ON THIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE IN THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. IT WAS TERRIFYING TO COMPLETELY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL TO STOP IT. I DON'T USE CRUISE CONTROL ANY MORE, HOPING THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. I HAD $6,000 OF DAMAGE, BUT I FELT INCREDIBLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jan 8, 2014
I STARTED TO ENCOUNTER THE FOLLOWING ERRORS ON MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE; SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL, SERVICE STABILITRAK, ENGINE POWER REDUCED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS OF 2012-2013. I COULD BE SIMPLY DOING THE TASK OF WARMING THE VEHICLE UP IN THE MORNING, DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD GOING 35MPH, OR FULL BLOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY/HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WILL VIOLENTLY START TO IDLE WITH THE WARNING INDICATORS MENTIONED ABOVE, I THEN HAVE TO SOMEHOW PULL OVER IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE I'M UNABLE TO GET ANY POWER DUE TO THE ENGINE POWER REDUCTION. SHUT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF AND PATIENTLY WAIT UNTIL IT DECIDES TO RESET. THIS COULD HAPPEN ONCE A DAY TO MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY. IT COULD HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY ONE AFTER ANOTHER OR AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR WILL STAY ON FOR ABOUT A DAY BEFORE IT GOES AWAY. LEAVING YOU WITH THE IMPRESSION THE VEHICLE IS FINE. WELL IT'S NOT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. I WAS ABOUT TO TAKE MY VEHICLE IN RIGHT BEFORE IT WAS TURNING SPRING WEATHER WAS WARMING, (NOT SURE IF THIS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUE) BUT SURPRISINGLY IT STOPPED. ALL SPRING AND SUMMER I HAD NOT ONE ISSUE UNTIL NOW! JANUARY 8TH 2014 AND THE WEATHER IS COLD. THIS SEEMS AFTER READING ON A FEW BLOGS ON THE WEB, NUMEROUS GM OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THEY TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE SERVICED AND THE SERVICE FAILS. IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE A FAULTY PRODUCT WHICH IS UNSAFE HAVING THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED WITH NO ABILITY TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 19, 2012
WAS DRIVING HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDLENLY THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED AND TRACTION CONTRIOL STABILITY TRACK CAM ON AND SAID TO SERVICE WAS GOING 65 DROPPED TO 45 ALMOST GOT HIT BY RIG.WAS NEAR EXIT PULLED OFF BUT CAR ACCELERATED THROUGH LIGHT EVEN THOUGH FOOT WAS ON BRAKE, TOOK CORNER VERY FAST AND BACK INTO A GAS STATION WHERE I WHIPPED IT INTO PARK AND SHUT OFF ENGINE.TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AFTER I CALMED DOWN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AFTER IDLING FORABOUT 15 MIN THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE ENGINED REVED THEN POWERED DOWN ETC.THIS HAPPENED 6 TIMES JUST TO GET VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS THE THROTTLE POSITIONONG SENSOR,NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OF COURSE. I AM LUCK I DID NOT LOSE MY LIFE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 24, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS, LOSS OF POWER, CHECK ENGINE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE SENSOR AND CABLES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000. UPDATED 07/02/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOSS ALL POWER AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED QUICKLY. UPDATED 07/12/12