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: other or unspecified
101 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.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, May 1, 2023
While barely moving, (about 2 mph), in a parking lot & preparing to make a sharp left turn, knuckle of driver's side wheel assembly suddenly broke, causing the wheel assembly to collapse, wheel top tilted inward and bottom tilted outward, causing major damage to upper and lower control arms, tie rod and significant body damage to two body parts at the wheel opening. Mechanic reported that there had been very excessive ‘play’ before the collapse At 86,000 miles, this is a very low-mileage for this degree of wear and complete failure, on a full-size, PPV SUV, with many heavy-duty features, designed to tolerate high stress usage. FORTUATELY, the car was barely rolling. If this had happened 5 minutes later, I would have been driving 65 mph and this would have caused a catastrophic wreck, could have involved several other cars, and could have injured or even killed many people. I am now very concerned about the condition of the knuckle on the passenger side. It could be developing microscopic cracks that would only be observable with X-ray. ESPECIALLY with this defect being on a very popular police model, Highway Patrol PPV vehicle, more failures will endanger many people.
Other or unspecified, Mar 27, 2023
My dash is very cracked. I do keep it covered, but it doesn’t make the issue disappear. Upon research I have seen that this is a very common issue and that legal action was taken in 2018. It causes a safety concern.
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2021
4-5 inch crack in dash above instrumemt panel 1 inch crack on each corner at the top of each corner of the passanger air bag on the top dash no further cracks at this time a report of this has been made two years ago just incase they deside to recall and replace the dash in the near future
Other or unspecified, Aug 18, 2021
Front inside door handle to pull door close plastic broke. To replace you need a whole new inside door panel just to replace the cracked pull handle.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 12, 2021
DASH CRACKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND GM NEEDS TO FIX IT. EVERY ONE I HAVE SEEN DOES THIS. THEY CRACK NEAR THE AIRBAG ORIGINALLY, WHICH MINE IS. IT IS BEGINNING TO CRACK IN OTHER PLACES. THE SHARP EDGES HAVE CUT MY FINGER BEFORE WHILE JUST WIPING THE DASH. THE SHARP EDGES COULD ALSO CUT INTO ELECTRICAL WIRES DOWN THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND STORED INDOORS AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SHARP CRACKED EDGES LIKE THIS FROM NORMAL USE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 5, 2021
LAST YEAR AROUND APRIL 2020 I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED.OVER THE LAST YEAR ANOTHER CRACK FORMED ON THE LEFT PASSENGER SIDE LOCATED WHERE THE AIR BAG IS AND THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER HAS CRACKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER GOING DOWN TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD, IT IS BEGINNING TO SPLIT INTO 3 SEPARATE CRACKS. MY VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT, SO I KNOW THE HEAT FROM THE SUN DID NOT CAUSE MY DASH TO CRACK IN 3 SEPARATE PLACES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS. SO I DECIDED TO EDUCATE MYSELF ON THE RECALL AND AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THEIR VEHICLE'S DASH CRACKING AS WELL.. LETS SEE, FAULTY AIR BAGS ALONG WITH CRACKED DASHES WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE LOCATED GUESS ITS NOT A COINCIDENCE. GUESS IT WON'T BE A COINCIDENCE WHEN THE FAULTY AIR BAG GOES OFF AND THE CRACKED PLASTIC DASH GOES FLYING AND SEVERALLY INJURES OR CAUSES DEATH TO A LOVED ONE. I WONDER HOW MANY DRIVERS AND/OR PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN INJURED OR ARE DECEASED DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2021
DASH CRACKED. OVER TIME IS GETTING WORSE. ALREADY CRACKED HALF WAY ACROSS DASHBOARD. I DID NOTHING TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE CRACK.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2021
CRACKED DASH AND DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM.WILL FIX THE AIRBAG BUT WON'T FIX THE CRACKED DASH IN THREE PLACES. THEY WANT MORE THAN 1500 DOLLARS TO FIX THE DASH.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2021
COMPLAINT #11400396 --- A MISTAKE WAS MADE ON TAHOE MILAGE. INSTEAD OF 15000 MILES, IT WAS 150,000 MILES INSTEAD. PLEASE EXCUSE ME.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2021
BOTH FRONT DOOR PANELS TEAR APART AT DOOR PULLS ,ARM RESTS. COULD BE REAR DOOR PULLS WILL TEAR UP IF USED VERY MUCH. I KNOW SOME FRIENDS, AND OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ,PICK UP TRUCKS ALSO.
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2021
I HAVE HAD TWO CRACKS DEVELOP ON THE DASH OF MY TAHOE. I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THESE CRACKS TO APPEAR. I BELIEVE THE PRODUCT USED TO CREATE THE DASH WAS INFERIOR WHICH HAS CAUSED THE CRACKING.
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2021
MY DASH IS CRACKED AND BROKEN TO THE POINT IT MAY COLLAPSE IN THE MIDDLE. I HAVE CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND ANOTHER ONE ABOVE THE SPEEDOMETER THAT RUNS TO THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH. IT IS CRACKED SO BADLY ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE DASH THAT IT HANGS LOOSELY AND RATTLES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE USED A SUNLIGHT VISOR SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THIS DAMAGE IS NOT MY FAULT. I HAVE LOOKED AT REPLACING THE DASH MYSELF BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO DO SO RIGHT NOW AND I AM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO COLLAPSE. THIS IS A "MOM" RIDE, I CARRY MY KIDS IN THIS VEHICLE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE GOT INTO A WRECK? WOULD PIECES OF THE DASH FLY OFF AND POSSIBLY INJURE ONE OF THEM? PLEASE HELP
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2021
DASH CRACKING SEVERAL AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
Other or unspecified, Jan 30, 2021
ABOUT A MONTH OR TWO MY WIFE NOTICES CRACK LINE ABOUT 4 INCHES ON THE DRIVES SIDE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD, A WEEK AGO SHE NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK HAD STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE GOING INTO THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG COVER FROM THE TOP VENT, BECAUSE THIS SO CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG I STARTED TO DO SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND SOME COMPLAINTS AND SOMETHING THAT SAID GM WON'T WARRANTY THIS ISSUE.I HAVEN'T BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YET BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS NOTHING BUT NOW THAT IS NEAR THE AIR BAG I WILL, HOPE THIS HELPS ANYBODY WITH THE SAME ISSUE OR MAYBE I COULD GET SOME MORE INFO IN CASE THIS IS NOT COVER BY GM
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2021
DASHBOARD CRACKS AT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG AND STEERING WHEEL COWLING.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2021
THERE ARE THREE CRACKS IN THE DASH ONE OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TWO OVER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2020
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AND BROKE OFF.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 28, 2020
APRIL OF 2016 THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2012 TAHOE HAD CRACK TO SHOW UP AT MY AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF THIS IS A HAZARD. THEY AGREE THAT THE LOCATION MADE IT A HAZARD. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST TO COME TO THEM WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE EXACT SAME AREA. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT IN PLACE TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACE BY GMC. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT OTHER CRACKS WOULD FORM OVER TIME BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE CORRECT. A FEW MONTHS LATER ANOTHER CRACK SHOWED UP ON MY DRIVER SIDE. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ONCE AGAIN SAID THAT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE ELSE. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THEY COULD REPLACE IT BUT THEN SAID, THAT GMC SHOULD REALLY STEP UP AND MAKE THIS A RECALL. AS I RESEARCH THIS ONLINE, I FOUND WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE 2012 GMC TAHOE. THIS IS HAZARD TO ANYONE THAT IS IN THE CAR. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS AT MY DEALERSHIP, THE CRACK AT THE AIRBAG COULD GET CUT OR MESS IT UP FROM DEPLOYING. PLUS IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK THE PIECES COULD EASILY BREAK OFF AND CAUSE MORE PHYSICAL HARM. WE HAVE SPENT A LOT ON BUYING THIS TOP OF THE LINE 2012 GMC LTZ TAHOE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT OVER TIME DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACE LIKE RUBBER SEALS AROUND THE DOOR, DOOR HANDLES & OTHER THINGS THAT COME WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. HOWEVER, REPLACING A DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS LIST. ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER VEHICLES. THE CRACKS ARE HAPPENING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT IN BOTH PLACES. THE CRACKS ARE GETTING WORSE. I REALLY WOULD HOPE THAT GMC WOULD STEP UP & DO THE RIGHT THING TO PLACE A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED. IF THEY CARE ABOUT PEOPLES LIVES, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2020
CRACKED DASH AS MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED AROUND AIRBAG ETC. THIS CAN CAUSE SOME MAJOR INJURIES IF AIRBAGS DEPLOY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2020
DASHBOARD KEEPS CRACKING BY AIR BAG COMPARTMENT AND OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
Other or unspecified, Aug 3, 2020
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I NOTICED TWO BIG CRACKS ON MY DASHBOARD.
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2020
THE REAR AUDIO CONTROLLER HAS A HUM. WHEN IT IS OFF THE HUM STOPS. IT WILL ALSO STARE HUMMING/BUZZING WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ON. IT DOES IT RANDOMLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR NOT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2020
BADLY CRACKED DASH.