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, Feb 3, 2020
DASHBOARD HAS 2 CRACKS. ONE BY THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG AND THE OTHER OVER THE DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN STORED IN A GARAGE. I WROTE A LETTER TO GM AND THE WILL NOT TAKE ANY ACTION OR HELP WITH REPLACEMENT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2020
FRONT DASH CRACKING AND SMALL PIECES ARE LOOSE AND COME LOOSE AND CAN HIT THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER IN THE EYE
Air bags, Jan 15, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MIDWAY CHEVROLET DEALER LOCATED AT 2323 W BELL RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85023; PHONE NUMBER: (602) 773-0688 WHO STATED THAT THE REMEDY PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2020
CAME OUT TO MY PARKED VEHICLE ON THE CITY STREET AND NOTICED THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED UP. THERE ARE THREE CRACKS CAUSING AN EAR ACHING SQUEAKING. TWO OF THE CRACKS ARE OVER THE STAIRING WHEEL GOING TOWARD THE FRONT VENT AND THE OTHER CRACK IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE, LEFT HAND FRONT CORNER OF THE AIR BAG HATCH TOWARD THE FRONT VENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION YOU HAVE TO TURN THE VOLUME UP ON THE RADIO TO TUNE OUT THE EAR DRUM PIERCING SQUEAK. THE CRACKS CAME ON A HOT SUMMER DAY, I BELIEVE THAT MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED......
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2019
DASHBOARD CRACKED NEXT TO THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER. NOTICED WHEN I GOT IN TAHOE WHICH IS GARAGE KEPT IN THE NORTHEAST.
Air bags, Nov 12, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, INCLUDING ED MORSE SAWGRASS CHEVROLET (754-220-2989, LOCATED AT 14401 W SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL 33323) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2019
I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES TO FIX THE AIRBAG RECALL. THEY SAY THAT IT IS A RECALL AND THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO WHAT DO I DO TO GET IT FIX.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Oct 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING MADE NOISES WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE OIL GAUGE FLUCTUATED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
Air bags, Oct 20, 2019
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, THANKFULLY, BUT THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE TAKATA AIRBAGS AND WE STILL AREN'T ABLE TO GET THEM REPAIRED. HOW LONG UNTIL THERE IS ACTION. COMMERCIALS TELL US TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE, BUT WE CAN'T YET.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT CALLED MIKE FREEMAN CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 2352 TEMPLE AVE N, FAYETTE, AL 35555, 877-543-2933) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE CURRENTLY IN LITIGATION REGARDING THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE INTERIM DESPITE THE RECALL BEING ISSUED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Structure, Oct 13, 2019
DASHBOARD CRACK ABOVE STEERING COLUMN AND BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IT CRACKS MORE WITH HEAT/COLD TURNED ON IN VEHICLE.
Air bags, Oct 4, 2019
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ATZENHOFFER CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 3211 N NAVARRO ST, VICTORIA, TX 77901, 361-578-0181) WHO STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDED AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Sep 29, 2019
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED BUT I DON'T WANT TO GET TO THAT POINT. WHEN IS THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL GOING TO BE RESOLVED? IT HAS BEEN OVER 3 YEARS SINCE IT WAS PUT OUT. I WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS. IF I WAIT FOR AN INCIDENT TO OCCUR, IT WILL BE TOO LATE. MY WIFE SITS AT THAT PASSENGER SEAT AND WE LIVE IN GEORGIA WHERE IT IS VERY HOT AND HUMID. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS SUGGESTS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT AN INCIDENT MAY OCCUR. PLEASE REACH AND ASSURE YOUR CUSTOMERS THAT A FIX IS IN THE WORKS AND NOT GHOST THE POPULATION THAT OWNS AND OPERATES THESE VEHICLES EVERYDAY. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Sep 23, 2019
MY CAR IS ONE OF THE MANY VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS RISKING THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY BECAUSE WHOEVER IS IN CHARGE OF THIS RECALL HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH TO FIX THE PROBLEM REGARDING THIS FLAWED AIRBAGS THAT MAKE US PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH WITH OUR LIFE'S EVERYDAY THAT WE HAVE TO DRIVE OUR CARS TO GO TO WORK OR PICK UP OUR KIDS FROM SCHOOL. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A REPAIR SINCE WE BOUGHT OUR CAR ON MAY 2017. BUYING AMERICAN DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A VIABLE OPTION ANYMORE. SO FAR WE HAVE DRIVEN THIS DEATH TRAP FOR ABOUT 26000 MILES. EVERY MORNING BOTH OF US AS DRIVERS PRAY THAT THAT DAY WON'T BE THE DAY THE AIR BAGS INFLATE IF WE GET IN A FENDER BENDER
Other or unspecified, Sep 7, 2019
DASH HAS TWO CRACKS RIGHT ABOVE THE DRIVER'S STEERING SECTION NEAR THE MIDDLE. IT SHAKES WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSES A TREMENDOUS DISTRACTION DUE TO THE WAY IT FLAPS. THIS IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON INTERSTATES AND NORMAL STATE ROADS. THE MOVEMENT IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT, TIRES ALIGNED AND BALANCED, IT DOES NOT HELP. THIS IS A DANGEREOUS DISTRACTION AND A DASH SHOULD NOT BE CRACKING THIS QUICKLY, THIS IS A WIDE PROBLEM ACROSS MANY GM TRUCKS AND SUVS.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2019
'TAKATA RECALL' RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL(GM RECALL 49151) IN JULY 2016 SINCE THEN I CALL EVERY YEAR TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE RECALL AND THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW. IT HAS BEEN OVER 3 YEARS NOW SINCE THIS DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN AVAILABLE TO REMEDY MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS TIME FRAME HAS BEEN LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE AGAIN, SO MY QUESTION IS HOW MANY MORE YEARS DO I HAVE TO WAIT AND IS MY TRULY VEHICLE SAFE?
Air bags, Aug 13, 2019
DASH AROUND AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SEVERELY CRACKED. KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2019
THE DASH IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. THE MAJOR CONCERN IS THE CRACKED AREA AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THERE'S NO DOUBT PIECES OF THE DASH WILL BECOME FLYING DEBRIS IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN AFTERMARKET COVER ON THE DASH TO HOPEFULLY KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING. ALSO, THE RATTLING OF THE DASH WILL ABSOLUTELY DRIVE YOU CRAZY ON ANY LENGTH OF DRIVE TIME. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO AN EPIDEMIC FOR 07-13 MODELS AND CHEVROLET SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2019
RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM CHEVROLET IN JUNE 2016 CONCERNING DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATORS. THE RECALL STATED I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOW AUGUST 2019 AND NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME ABOUT THE RECALL. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS.
Power train, Aug 5, 2019
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN PULLING OUT IT WON'T GO AND STARTS JUMPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND THEN SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND GOES IT'S ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET HIT BY ONCOMING CARS SEVERAL TIMES AND IT'S WORSE ON A HILL JUMPING IN AND OUT BUT DOES FINE RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE HIGHWAY
Structure, Jul 20, 2019
THE DASH HAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES
Other or unspecified, Jul 16, 2019
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED OVER THE STEERING WHEEL COWL AND BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND CRACKED WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF PURCHASE (LIKE MAYBE 3 YEARS).
Structure, Jul 10, 2019
CRACKED DASH AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED.
Air bags, Jul 2, 2019
WE HAVE TRIED TO HAVE THE TAKATA AIRBAGS REPLACED BUT SO FAR NO LUCK, WE BOUGHT VEHICLE ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AND IT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT LIKE THAT. NO PEACE OF MIND. ALSO CALLED THE DEALER, WE GOT THE SAME ANSWER.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2019
MY DASH SPLIT AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ON THE 'HOOD' ABOVE THE GAUGES. IT'S RIDICULOUS HOW WIDE SPREAD OF A PROBLEM THIS IS ON THESE YEAR MODEL, YET CHEVROLET CHARGES $360 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART.