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
456 reports, newest first.
Structure, May 30, 2017
GETTING BASEBALL EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE, THE POWER LIFTGATE ROSE ALMOST TO THE TOP AND THEN STARTED TO AUTO CLOSE ON MY SON. THE FORCE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM IF SOMEONE WASN'T THERE. I'M A PHYSICALLY FIT MAN AND I HAD DIFFICULTY HOLDING UP THE LIFT GATE.
Structure, May 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED THROUGH TO THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT EXPOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PENSKE CHEVROLET 3210 E 96TH ST INDIANAPOLIS IN 46240 317-846-6666) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *JS
Other or unspecified, May 22, 2017
60000 MILES AND THE DASH CRACKED IN FRONT OF THE STEERING COLUMN FROM SIDE TO SIDE.IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE NOW IT'S CRACKING NEXT TO THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SHARP PIECE OF PLASTIC WILL COME FLYING IF THE AIR BAGS INFLATE.
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2017
THE TOP OF DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2017
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DASHBOARD CRACKED JUST ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE ARE 2 CRACKS. ONE IS ABOUT 4 INCHES WHILE THE OTHER IS ABOUT TWO INCHES. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2017
THE DASH HAS CRACKED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST ABOVE THE GAUGE CLUSTER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE DASH IS CRACKED IN 3 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. SEE ATTACHED PICS.
Structure, May 6, 2017
I PURCHASED MY TAHOE DECEMBER 31ST 2016 AND I NOTICED A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AND IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING BIGGER.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2017
THE DASH IS CRACKED GOING FROM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER TO THE DEFROSTER VENT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Apr 19, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD EXTENSIVE CRACKS ON THE FRONT DRIVERS AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE GLOVE BOX ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE PARTS HAD NOT YET BEEN SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO THE DEALER SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE AIR BAG RECALL MAY BE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 15, 2017
CAME OUT OF WORK IN JANUARY AND FOUND THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2017
CRACK IN DASH NEAR INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. CRACK IS STILL GETTING LARGER. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR.
Engine, Apr 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V86800 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/13/17*BF *CN
Electrical system, Mar 27, 2017
CAR IS SHUTTING OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT TO RADICALLY THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF DOOR LOCKS WON'T ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE HAS HAPPENED TWICE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ALMOST HAD ACCIDENTS. HAND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECK BATTERY ALTERNATOR BY GM CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND ALL CHECKED OUT FINE. I AM CONCERNED THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON OTHER MODELS OF VEHICLES AND I DO UNDERSTAND SOME CHEVROLET SUVS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THOSE RECALLS THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2017
DASH CRACKED ON DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNDER NORMAL OPERATION CONDITIONS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2017, crash
MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE HAS CRACKS THAT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE. IT HAS LOW MILES AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE GARAGE. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG IS ALSO LOCATED IN THE DASHA AND I AM CONCERNED IF IT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF IT DEPLOYS.
Structure, Mar 15, 2017
DASHBOARD RIGHT BY PASSENGER AIRBAG CRACKED. DASH VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING AND I'M WORRIED IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THAT PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD WILL BREAK OFF AND BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE CABIN.
Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2017
MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED, BUT I'M WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE SPOKE TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THEIRS REPLACED, BUT HAD THE NEW ONE CRACK TOO. I FEEL IF I WERE TO EVER GET INTO AN ACCIDENT SHARDS OF FLIMSY PLASTIC WILL BE BLOWN ON ME.
Air bags, Mar 5, 2017
TAKATA RECALL RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET IN JULY 2016, CALLED OUR DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES AND CHEVROLET AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DATE OR A REPAIR GM RECALL NUMBER 49151
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2017
DASH CRACKED AT DRIVER SIDE OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ON DASH AT PASSENGER AIRBAG WHILE VEHICLE NOT IN USE PARKED AT RESIDENCE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2017
THERE IS A RECALL, NO GM HAS NOT ISSUED A SOLUTION TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS. SAFETY ISSUE PLUS DASHBOARD CRACKED ON PASSENGER SIDE AT THE SEAM WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE AN ANSWER TO RESOLVE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2017
THE DASH IS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES. 1 LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT AFFECT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2017
DASH CRACKED BY AIRBAG MAY CAUSE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG ISSUES
Air bags, Jan 31, 2017
I ATTEMPTED TO TRADE IN MY TRUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY CAR HAS AN OPEN RECALL, THE VALUE IS GREATLY DECREASED. WHY IS THE GOVERNEMENT ALLOWING ME TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ME HARM AND NOT PROPERLY PROTECT ME IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2017
DASH PAD CRACKED OVER BOTH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AIR BAG. OCT 1 2016 SELECTED AS HAPPEN DATE HOWEVER, THAT IS AN ESTIMATION FOR THE APPROXIMATE TIME.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2017
THE DASH IN MY CAR CRACKED FOR NO REASON. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT THE CRACK IS NEXT TO THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IF THIS AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY IT COULD CAUSE THE BROKEN PIECES OF DASH TO TURN INTO PROJECTILES CAUSING A DANGEROUS IF NOT DEADLY INJURY. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ON ANYTHING BUT SMOOTH PAVED ROADS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 61,200 MILES ON IT. WE WERE ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN THIS OCCURRED.