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.
Air bags, Jan 23, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS NOW THAT DEVELOPED BY THEMSELVES. I NOTICED ONE CRACK ONE DAY AND A FEW WEEKS LATER, I NOTICED OTHER CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKS. IN 2 DIFFERENT AREAS OF MY DASH, CRACKS START FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE RUNNING BACK TOWARDS THE FRONT SEATS. THE CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CONNECTS TO THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY, IT SEEMS PLASTIC SHARDS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO ONLINE POSTS. I HAVE 1989, 2006, 2008 YEAR VEHICLES THAT THE DASH IS FULLY INTACT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2017
CRACKING DASH
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2017
MY DASH BOARD IN MY VEHICLE IS CRACKING FOR NO REASON! IT IS CRACKING IN 2 DIFFERENT SPOTS. ONE IN FRONT OF DRIVER BUT THE ONE THAT REALLY CONCERNS ME IS THE ONE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THE CRACK GOES TO THE AIR BAG AND I'M SO SCARED MY BAG WILL DEPLOY RANDOMLY LIKE THE CRACK APPEARED OR IF IT DEPLOYS UPON IMPACT SHARP HARD PLASTIC EDGES CAN BE HARMFUL! THIS IS NOT JUST COSMETIC AND EVEN IF IT WERE CHEVROLET NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!
Air bags, Jan 4, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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.
Structure, Jan 3, 2017
VEHICLE DASH IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS INCLUDING AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE PLATFORM INCLUDING THE GMC YUKON, GMC YUKON XL, GMC SIERRA, CHEVY TAHOE, CHEVY SUBURBAN, AND CHEVY SILVERADO ALL WITHIN THE 2007-2013 MODEL YEARS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS DISCUSSIONS THREADS POSTED ONLINE AS WELL AS SOCIAL GROUPS IN WHICH OWNERS ARE INFORMING THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY OF THEIR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CRACKED DASHBOARD COULD FRAGMENT AS THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED CAUSING PROJECTILES WITHIN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS MATERIAL DEFECT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THERE IS NO EXCUSE AS TO WHY THESE DASHBOARDS ARE CRACKING. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKED BY INSTRUMENT PANEL - GOT IN ONE DAY AND NOTICED IT
Other or unspecified, Dec 30, 2016
DASH CRACKING AND FALLING APART. IN FOUR SEPARATE LOCATIONS. THEY JUST GETTING BIGGER.
Structure, Dec 29, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING AT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DRIVER'S SIDE
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE BEGAN CRACKING AT APPROXMATELY 70K MILES. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH I'M CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFEFTY AS THE DASHBOARD CONTINUES TO CRACK IN A SPIDERWEB FASHON. I'VE CONTACTED MY CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY VEHICLES ORIGINAL 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I CAN CONTACT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE DEFECT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. THIS VEHICLE WAS $55K BRAND NEW AND IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT FOR THE DASHBOARD TO CRACK AFTER 4 YEARS OR ANY OTHER TIME AND EXPECTING CUSTOMES TO PAY OVER $1000 TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED AT NO COST TO VEHICLE OWNERS.
Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2016
1) REAR WINDOWS HOLD WATER WHEN IT RAINS CAUSING DOORS TO RUST 2) DASHBOARD DRIVER SIDE AT SOME TIME CRACKED ITSELF ALL OVER CHEAP FLAWED DESIGNS AND DEFINITELY THE LAST GM I'LL OWN
Air bags, Dec 1, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL 07/2016, STILL HAVE NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS RECALL. MEANTIME, ANYONE RIDING IN MY VEHICLE IS AT DANGER. WHEN WILL A FIX BE AVAILABLE NOW ESPECIALLY WITH TAKATA THREATENING BANKRUPTCY?
Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2016
2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. ONLY HAVE 82000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT IS ALSO CAUSING A RATTLE. IT KEEPS GETTING LONGER.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 25, 2016
AIRBAG RECALL BUT GM IS NOT MAKING ANY EFFORT TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG. DASH IS CRACKED AND APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2016
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES. THE FIRST CRACKS APPEARED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE SUV. THESE CRACKS MAY HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THEY MAY AFFECT THE AIR BAG OPERATION. THE TAHOE HAS SPENT MOST OF ITS' LIFE IN A GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE. I TRIED TO GLUE THE FIRST 2 CRACKS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. HARD PLASTIC KNIFE LIKE STRUCTURE ARE EXPOSED TO PASSENGERS. ALSO CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AREA. CHEVROLET STATES IT IS COSMETIC. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A HAZARD FOR THE OCCUPANTS.
Air bags, Nov 17, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - RECALL WAS ISSUED MAY 27, 2016 FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG - 16V381. GM HAS NO INFORMATION WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR AND I WAS TOLD THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE NHTSA TO APPROVE THE REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE AND PARTS. WHEN WILL THE PARTS BE AVAILABLE? I ALSO HAVE A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND NO ANSWERS. IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS AND WE HAVE NO ANSWERS FROM NHTSA! PLEASE ACT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2016
CRACKED DASH - THE DASH ON THE CAR HAS CRACKS IN MULTIPLE AREAS NEAR AIR BAG AND OVER THE ODOMOTER. VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THIS CAR. CHEVY EVEN IMPROVED THIS PIECE FOR FUTURE CARS BUT WONT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS WAS A DEFECT TO BEGIN WITH.
Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD ON DRIVER SIDE. UNSURE IF RELATED TO TAKATA INFLATORS.
Structure, Nov 4, 2016
DASH CRACKING IN 2 SPOTS AND CRACKS KEEP GETTING LONGER.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - MY DASH IS CRACKED FROM DRIVERS COLUMN TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. OTHER CRACKS IN THE SURFACE ARE STARTING TO FORM...I HOPE MY FAMILY IS NEVER IN A CRASH IT BOTHERS ME TO THINK THE DASHBOARD WILL CRUMBLE, BREAK APART AND COULD CAUSE OTHER INJURIES.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THIS VEHICLE HAS RECALL AIRBAGS. GM FOOT DRAGGING CLAIMING "NO PARTS" BUT OTHER MANF APPEAR TO HAVE. ENDEMIC PROBLEM WITH CRACKED DASH ON GM VEHICLES MAKES DANGER AIRBAGS EVEN MORE THREAT FOR FRONT SEAT PAX. THIS VEHICLE DASH REPLACED ONCE ALREADY. GM REFUSES TO PAY BUT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. SUSPECTED DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG AND I HAVE A CRACKED DASHBOARD WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF GM CUSTOMERS
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD: LARGE CRACK ON DRIVER SIDE AND SMALL CRACK ON PASSENGER SIDE.