2012 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 180 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 8 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 10 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 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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." 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 May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.
Campaign 21V051000 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
Representative owner complaints: structure
37 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2026
The AC in the front stopped working on and off but the AC in the back continues to work that's one warning a situation. The second is the oil light constantly shows low oil even when you get an oil change. The park tire pressure always moves back and forth to 40% to all the way down to 30.
Structure, Mar 24, 2023
Developed cracks in dash starting in 2018 and progressively got worse. Rattles when you drive. Driver door pull has also broken in several places and has pinched my hand multiple times. Dealer is aware this is a common problem but will need to replace whole door panel and dash at my expense. Transmission went at 81,000. Chevy, you can do better. I was warned not to buy this, but I took my chances. It feels very lemony sour now.
Structure, May 28, 2022
Dash panel cracked in multiple spots - was like this when we bought it used from a Dealer.
Structure, Jul 18, 2021
Dashboard cracked in several places
Structure, Jul 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that there were two cracks on the dashboard located near the passenger’s side front air bag housing and near the steering column. There was no impact that could have caused the cracks. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall for the dashboard and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
Air bags, Structure, Mar 22, 2021
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD HAD STARTED TO CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,200.
Air bags, Structure, Dec 2, 2020, crash
THERE WAS A WRECK, WHERE THE OPPOSING DRIVER PULLED OUT TO TAKE A LEFT TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, 10 FT IN FRONT OF [XXX] (OWNER OF TAHOE). IMPACT WAS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EFFECTIVELY RESULTING IN [XXX] HAVE A BROKEN NECK AND BONE FUSION. AIRBAGS WERE EXPLODED OPEN. THESE EVENTS MIGHT NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF PROPER EQUIPMENT WAS THERE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Wheels, Nov 9, 2020
I HAVE A CRACK DASH IN 3 OR MORE SPOT AND MY WHEELS ARE CRACKING THE CHROME AWAY
Structure, Sep 23, 2020
CRACKED DASHBOARD ON A TAHOE, CAN'T BELIEVE GM DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THIS KNOW ISSUE. GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BAIL THEM OUT NEXT TIME
Steering, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2020
DASHBOARD CRACKED IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES. FIRST NEAR AIR BAG AND SECOND NEAR STEERING WHEEL. MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE EVER SO OFTEN. TOOK IT IN TO CHEVROLET SHOP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TR
Structure, Jun 4, 2020
I NOTICED THAT MY DASH CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. MY TAHOE IS ALWAYS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND NOT FROM SUN DAMAGE. I PURCHASED NEW, AND HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO FIX THE DASH BECAUSE IT WASN'T ALIGNED CORRECTLY. *TR
Structure, Apr 18, 2020
MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT CRACKS AND BREAKAGE IN THE DASH. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT THIS WILL HAVE ON THE AIRBAGS IN THE EVENT THEY ARE DEPLOYED. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME THAT THE BROKEN DASH COULD DO MORE HARM TO DRIVER AND OR PASSENGER IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2020
APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO CRACK IN MY 2012 CHEVY TAHOE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A HEATED GARAGE AND OUT OF THE SUNLIGHT. ON DECEMBER 1, 2015 IS THE DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER TALKED ME INTO PUTTING A NANO TECHNOLOGY COATING ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT IN LIKE NEW CONDITION, WHICH COST ME $899. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM AND THEY WERE GOING TO LET ME KNOW IF ABRA WOULD FIX IT, HOWEVER, AFTER 2 MONTHS STILL NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN YESTERDAY. THE OTHER THING IS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH AND SO WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO PULL THE DOOR VINYL RIGHT OFF. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE.
Structure, Mar 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE AIR BAG WAS NOT VISIBLE. PAUL MASSE CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 1111 TAUNTON AVE, EAST PROVIDENCE, RI 02914, (401) 680-1261) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2018
DASH IS CRACKED OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND 2 SPOTS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE CRACKS GET BIGGER EVERYDAY AND MAKES THE DASH RATTLE. BOUGHT IN 2016 AND THE CRACKS JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE. ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE THAT CRACKED INSIDE.
Structure, Jul 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A MONTH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FAULTY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILALBLE.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2017
THIS WEEK THE TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATED DRASTICALLY. MY TAHOE WAS IN THE GARAGE FOR 2 SOLID DAYS. I PULLED IT OUT THE NEXT TWO DAYS AND DROVE TO WORK LIKE ANY NORMAL DAY BUT THE TEMPERATURES WERE COLD IN THE MORNINGS AND WARMED UP THROUGH THE DAY. TODAY WE PULLED THE TAHOE OUT OF THE GARAGE, GOT IN TO GO TO CHURCH AND NOTICED THAT THE DASH HAD CRACKED IN THE UPPER CORNER OF THE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT TOWARDS THE AIR VENT. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT SHOULD I BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOY, THAT SHARDS OF PLASTIC WOULD BREAK AND BE IMPELLED THROUGH THE VEHICLE POSSIBLE HARMING MY FAMILY.
Structure, Aug 14, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED RIGHT BESIDE THE AIRBAG. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN MY EYES.
Structure, Jun 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD PREMATURELY CRACKED AND WAS DETERIORATED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES TO THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE COULD AFFECT ANY COMPONENTS NEAR THE FRONT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER (LAKESIDE CHEVROLET, 2005 S GOLIAD ST, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (972) 961-7103) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE MANUFACTURER TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THERE WAS NO CAMPAIGN TO PROVIDE A REMEDY FROM THE MANUFACTURER THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/27/17*LJ *TR
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2017
AFTER 5 YEARS OF GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE, PURCHASED A NEW CAR TO BE KEPT IN GARAGE, ONLY 2 DAYS OF HAVING THIS SUV OUTSIDE THE DASH CRACKS,VERY DISAPPOINTED ON GM CUSTOMER SERVICE I HAVE 6 YR 100000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I WORRY ABOUT WHERE THE CRACK IS RIGHT BY THE PASSENGER IN DASH AIRBAG
Structure, Apr 23, 2017
CRACKING DASH BOARD, PASSENGER SIDE ABOVE AIR BAG ON UPPER LEFT SIDE. NOTICED IT WAS CRACKED AFTER MAKING SEVERAL TRIPS IN VEHICLE.
Air bags, Structure, Feb 27, 2017
CRACKED DASH NEAR AIRBAG. CRACKS APPEARING ALONG DASHBOARD. IF AIRBAG DEPLOYS, SHARP PLASTIC SHARDS WILL BE PROPELLED AT HIGH SPEEDS.
Structure, Dec 24, 2016
MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASH. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH CRACKS ALREADY PRESENT. ONE CRACK GREW AND OPENED INTO A HOLE IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2016
CRACKED DASHBOARD. PLEASE HELP, MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE CORNER BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I PUT THE SCREEN UP IN MY WINDSHIELD WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN ORDER TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN AND THEN ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A POP AND THE DASH HAD A BIG CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. *TR
Structure, Nov 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK THAT SPREAD TO THE AIR BAG AREA. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.