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.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2016
THE DASH IS CRACKING AROUND THE AIR BAGS
Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2016
PURCHASED A USED 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH 56,000 MILES AND IT HAS A CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. SPOKE WITH THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY STATED CHEVROLET WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD.
Air bags, Oct 17, 2016
THE DASH BOARD AROUND THE AIRBAG IS CRACKED. I HAVE FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS IN THIS YEAR. I AM IN FEAR THAT IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS THE DASHBOARD COULD FLY OFF AND INJURE A MEMBER OF MY FAMILY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE CONCERNING THESE DASHBOARDS WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS...... I GUESS IT TAKES SOMEONE TO BE KILLED FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE ACTION!!!!!!
Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2016
PURCHASED VEHICLE USED IN NOVEMBER 2015. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IT CURRENTLY HAS NOT GOTTEN WORSE. IN THE LAST TWO DAYS A NEW LARGER CRACK SEEMS TO BE PROGRESSING ON THE HUMP OF DASH ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER RESEARCHING IT SEEMS THIS IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL FOR YEARS 2007-2011. MY COWORKER HAS A 2007 AND HAS SUFFERED WITH SAME PROBLEMS. ANOTHER COWORKER WHO OWNS A TOYOTA RECEIVED OFFICIAL INFORMATION TELLING HER THAT THERE ARE ISSUES RELATING TO CRACKING DASHBOARDS AND IF IT IS NEAR THE AIRBAG THE AIRBAG CAN SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOY AND NOT TO LET PEOPLE SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. IF THIS IS THE SAME FOR THE TAHOE I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHERS WHO RIDE WITH ME. ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS APART OF AIRBAG RECALL AND IS WAITING TO BE FIXED. THE CRACK WAS NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. EARLIER IN THE WEEK WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I HEARD A CRACKING SOUND BUT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS AT THE TIME.
Structure, Oct 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. THE DASHBOARD FIRST BEGAN CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING. IT THEN BEGAN TO CRACK DIRECTLY ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Oct 13, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ON MY 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2016
VEHICLE NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT ONLY HAS 39,000 MILES AND HAS 3 CRACKS SPIDERING OFF ONE ANOTHER ON DRIVER SIDE DASH BOARD
Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2016
2011 TAHOE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED, BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION.
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2016
VEHICLE HAS A CRACKED DASH NEXT TO THE PASS ANGER SIDE AIR BAG
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2016
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. DASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO SPOTS OVER TIME. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. FIRST CRACK WAS NOTED OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF THE VEHICLE'S GAUGES THAT ARE USED TO DETERMINE SPEED, RPMS, ETC. SECOND WAS NOTED ADJACENT TO THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG. IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CRACKED DASHBOARD COULD PUNCTURE THE AIRBAG RENDERING THE AIRBAG UNUSABLE AND ALLOWING FOR MORE BODILY HARM AND POSSIBLY FATALITY. ALSO, IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY WITHOUT BEING PUNCTURED, THE CRACKED DASHBOARD COULD THEN BECOME SHRAPNEL CAUSING MORE BODILY HARM AND POSSIBLY FATALITY TO ANYONE THAT IS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. I URGE THE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND RESEARCH IT HEAVILY. CHEVROLET AND GM ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES OF THE '07-'11 MODELS, YET REFUSE TO TAKE ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. I OBTAINED A REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM A CERTIFIED CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP FOR $761.63.
Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2016
I HAVE A CRACK IN MY DASH THAT IS NEAR THE TOP LEFT HAND CORNER OF MY AIRBAG PANEL. ALSO, THERE IS ANOTHER CRACK THAT GOES OVER THE TOP OF MY INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CRACKS APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY KIND OF WRECK. THE CRACKS WERE POINTED OUT TO ME WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE APPX. SIX MONTHS AGO. I AM TRYING TO TRADE IN MY VEHICLE AND I AM GETTING $1,000 HIT ON THE TRADE-IN AMOUNT OFFERED. THE MORE I INVESTIGATE IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL????????????????
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT!! THIS SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL AND THE NHTSA HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THIS COULD BE LIFE THREATENING!I
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT!! THIS SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL AND THE NHTSA HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THIS COULD BE LIFE THREATENING!!!! I GUESS YOU GUYS AREN'T DOING YOUR JOBS THAT THE AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE PAYING FOR!!
Structure, Aug 27, 2016
NOTICED LARGE CRACKED ON DASH BOARD ABOVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND AROUND AIRBAG. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF CRACK AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND DASH SHOULD BE REPLACED.
Air bags, Aug 25, 2016
THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK WHICH IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. THE PROPELLANT IN SOME TYPES OF TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME, ESPECIALLY AFTER LONG TERM EXPOSURE IN HOT AND HUMID REGIONS. IF THE PROPELLANT DEGRADES TO A CERTAIN LEVEL, THE INFLATORS MAY RUPTURE DURING DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURIES. I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD SON AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD. IF I DO GET PREGNANT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS I COULD BE KILLED ALONG WITH MY UNBORN CHILD. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FAMILY.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
CRACKED DASH
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT MAY CAUSE DEADLY PLASTIC DEBRIS FLYING ABOUT.
Structure, Aug 17, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING - FROM UNKNOWN REASON
Air bags, Aug 11, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED AT AIRBAG AND ALSO NEAR STEERING COLUMN, INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR NO REASON
Structure, Aug 9, 2016
I BOUGHT A CHEVROLET TAHOE 20111, AND I NOTICED THAT THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL AREA. THE TRUCK HAS 58,000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTED PART WITH OUT CHARGING. AFTER DOING SEVERAL RESEARCH ABOUT THESE VEHICLE THEY ARE MANY TRUCKS OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS POOR QUALITY PLASTIC. I NEED YOU HELP AND GUIDANCE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM I PAID $35,000 FOR A TRUCK WITH A DEFECTED DASHBOARD. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2016
CRACKING OF DASH AT AIRBAG
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.