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, Mar 3, 2021
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB
Air bags, Feb 17, 2021
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2021
ITS THE DASH THAT KEEPS CRAKING FOR NO REASON
Air bags, Feb 8, 2021
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, WHEN ALL SIX AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE PANELS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MIKE REICHENBACH CHEVROLET (10 UNIVERSITY PKWY, OKATIE, SC 29909, (877) 846-8391) WHERE THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND HAD THE VEHICLE INVESTIGATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.*DT*JB
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2021
MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED ABOVE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS. WHILE LOOKING TO SEE IF THESE CRACKS ARE REPAIRABLE I LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH CERTAIN TAHOES (BETWEEN CERTAIN YEARS) AND COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND WAS ADVISED TO REPORT IT HERE. (I DON'T THINK IT PERTAINS TO MY ISSUE, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THE CRACKS APPEARED)
Electrical system, Dec 22, 2020
VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNS ON AND OFF UPON START UP AND WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO NOT KNOW HOW FAST ONE IS GOING, IT THEY HAVE GAS, ETC. THIS IS A COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WHICH AFFECT MANY GM OWNERS AS WELL AS THE GM BRAND.
Air bags, Dec 15, 2020
DRIVING ~25 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL AREA, ALL SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. NOTHING WAS HIT BY THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING HIT THE VEHICLE. ONE PASSENGER DRIVING VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2020
THE STABILTRAK TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AND LAUNCHED OUR VEHICLE TO THE SIDE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING 55 MPH.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND HAS AN IMPACT ON THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2020
DASH IS CRACKED IN 2 PLACES ON PASSENGER AIR BAG, ABOVE DRIVER CONTROL PANEL AND RIGHT OF GLOVE BOX
Other or unspecified, Oct 17, 2020
MY 2011 STARTED MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS THE BELTS SO HE REPLACED THEM. STILL CHIRPED. HE TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS THE LIFTERS. WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM ON THAT TYPE OF ENGINE. BECAUSE IT GAS 135,000 MILES THEY SAY ITS NOT COVERED. MANY REPORTED ISSUES ON LINE BUT NO RECALL
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2020
DASHBOARD CRACKING AROUND AIRBAG MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS DEBRIS IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED IN A CRASH
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2020
2011 TAHOE - DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. CRACK ON DASH IS LOCATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL. FROM VIEWING DATABASE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH GM HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS - ESPECIALLY IF A CRASH OCCURS AND FRAGMENTS OF DASH COULD CAUSE FURTHER INJURY TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS AND/OR CAUSE AIRBAG ISSUES.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2020
FOR OVER TWO YEARS I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF AIR BAGS. GM RECALL NUMBER 2049151 SAID WAITING FOR REMEDY FROM MANUFACTURER, WHAT THE HECK IS TAKING SO LONG LONG ?
Structure, Sep 6, 2020
SHORTLY AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED, MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO CRACK. WITHIN TWO YEARS, IT DEVELOPED THREE SUBSTANTIAL CRACKS WHICH LED TO SHIMMYING OF THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. THE BECAME A CHRONIC AND CONTINUAL PROBLEM.
Structure, Sep 3, 2020
DASH BOARD HAS CRACKED, ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT, 2011 TAHOE WITH, 60000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2020
DASH IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES INCLUDING CLOSE TO AIRBAG LOCATION
Structure, Jul 1, 2020
CRACKING IN DASH DUE TO POOR QUALITY AND BUILD. POSSES POTENTIAL HAZARD SHOULD AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 9, 2020
DASH CRACKING REAL BAD. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Jun 1, 2020
HI. MY 2011 CHEVY TAHOE "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT IS ON. MY VIN # IS [XXX]. I FOUND A RECALL FOR IT ON THE CHEVY WEBSITE BUT IT SAYS ITS 'RECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE'. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE FAILED TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. DATE OF RECALL: MAY 27,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER 2049151 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 16V381. IM JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP? SINCE MY "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT IS ON NOW I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS THE RECALL STATES THE FOLLOWING: 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. SEPARATELY AND ADDITIONALLY, THE DASH HAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE WIDTH OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS CRACKED ON THE COVER TO THE AIRBAG AS WELL. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. IT JUST CRACKED ONE DAY. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AND I HAVE ATTACHED THE PDF. CLEARLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF PEOPLE. A CRACKED DASHBOARD COULD COMPOUND THE SEVERITY OF A CAR CRASH AND IT COULD SHATTER INTO PIECES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND SEND SHARDS OF DASHBOARD FLYING AT BOTH THE DRIVER AND THEIR PASSENGERS. BETWEEN THE AIRBAG RECALL AND THE DASH CRACKING IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. GM IS UNWILLING TO HELP ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IMMEDIATE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN SO MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS ARE SAFE WHEN I'M DRIVING. THANKS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 29, 2020
MY DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. IT CRACKED TO THE DOME PART OVER THE GAUGES AND IT CRACKED TO MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TRANSPORTING PEOPLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR *BF*JB
Structure, May 20, 2020
DASH BOARD CRACKED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2020
THE DASH IS CRACKING IN MULTIPLE AREAS AND IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. WHILE DRIVING THE DASH IS BOUNCING APPROXIMATELY 1-2 INCHES AND WORRIES ME THAT IT WOULD SEND PIECES OF PLASTIC FLYING IF EVER INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Feb 25, 2020
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DON RINGLER CHEVROLET, TEMPLE, TX AS SOON AS I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION, IN 2016. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE , THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THEY GET THE PARTS. I CALL THEM ONCE A MONTH AND I WENT BY LAST WEEK AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT IN
Air bags, Feb 13, 2020
I CONTACTED A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED AS IT RELATES TO THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REMEDY IS NOT AVAILABLE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO PARTS YET. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, MY PASSENGERS AND I COULD BE IN VERY BAD SHAPE. THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE RECALL BEING ISSUED; NO WAY TO SERVICE OUR VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! I NEED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED ASAP