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
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2018
DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE AIRBAG. CRACKED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2018
MY DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE ARR CHROME. THE CHROME MATERIL HAS STARTED TO PEEL AWAY AND HAS CAUSED ME DEEP CUTS ON THE SIDES OF MY FINGERS AFTER OPENING THE DOOR.
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.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2017
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2012 TAHOE THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED OVER THE DRIVERS AREA AND CRACKED IN TWO PLACE ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY IT COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE SOMEONE OR KILL THEM
Other or unspecified, Oct 10, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES, UNDER ITS OWN WEIGHT. RATTLES EXCESSIVELY,GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT HAS BEEN CRACKED SINCE 2014 AND HAS JUST STARTED TO RATTLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2017
MY TAHOE HAS DASH CRACKS FROM POORLY CONSTRUCTED DASH RISKING DASH COLLAPSE AND CRACKS AT THE AIRBAG WITH RISK OF FLYING DEBRIS UPON RELEASE OF AIRBAG RESULTING IN INJURING OCCUPANTS. CHEVROLET NOT INTERESTED IN REPLACING. PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS AT 75000 MILES AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN ALL THE CHEVROLET AND GM VEHICLES FROM YEARS 2007-2014.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2017
DASH IS DEVELOPING CRACKS , MOST CONCERNING IS THE CRACK LEADING TO THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2017
MY DASH BOARD BEGAN TO CRACK IN SEVERAL PLACES. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT BUT IT ONLY WENT TO YEAR MODELS UP TO 2011
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2017
THERE ARE CRACKS ALONG THE DASHBOARD THAT SEEM AS IF THEY WOULD CAUSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE LAUNCHING PIECES OF THE DASH IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2017
THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED CRACKING AND IT IS AT DEALER NOW AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THIS IS ONLY ONE THEY EVER HEARD OF AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT BUT IT IS A CERTIFIED VEHICLE THAT I'VE ONLY PUT 20 SOME THOUSAND MILES ON AND IT WAS SOLD TO ME WITH FULL WARRANTY AS A NEW ONE AND AFTER LOOKING ON SEVERAL WEBSITES IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AFRAID IF IT KEEPS CRACKING IT MAY GET RIGHT INTO MY INSTRUMENTS AND ELECTRICAL OR WORSE CONTINUE INTO MY AIRBAG , SURELY THERE IS SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS AND THE DISTRACTION FROM THE DASHBOARD FLOPPING UP AND DOWN CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT, IT ONLY TAKES A MOMENT FOR SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN. PLEASE IF YOU ARE ABLE TO INFLUENCE A DECISION ABOUT THIS, DO SO IT COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE IN A LIFE MAYBE
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2017
MY DASH IS CRACKED RIGHT BY AIRBAG LIKE OTHER 1000'S OF GM TRUCKS YEARS 07-14. I HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY TAHOE CURRENTLY AND THE CRACK APPEARED AT 70,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, I BELONG TO A GROUP ON FACEBOOK CALLED 07-13 GM CRACKED DASH AND SAFETY HAZARD AND EVERYDAY THERE'S NEW PEOPLE WHO JOIN THE GROUP WITH THEIR CRACKED DASHES MOST OF THEM IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT RIGHT BY THE AIRBAG AND OTHERS HAVE WHERE THE ENTIRE DASH HAS CRACKED AND MOST SEEM TO HAPPEN BETWEEN 60,000 AND 75,000 MILES. THIS HAZARD COULD BE DEVASTATING IF AN ACCIDENT WAS TO HAPPEN. MY TAHOE IS IN GREAT CONDITION GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS HAZARD.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2017, fire
I BOUGHT TRUCK CERTIFIED BY CARL'S BUICK GMC. JAN 30TH 2014 WITH 40 SOMETHING THOUSAND MILES, ALSO PAID 5K FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. ALTERNATOR WENT BAD, SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUCKS, AND ALSO HAD THEM CHECK MY DASH BC CRACKS STARTED, AND DEEMED DEFECTIVE BY SERVICE MANAGER BC TRUCK KEPT LIKE NEW, I ONLY DRIVE ON TRIP TO FAMILY AND DR'S, I'M HANDICAPPED, I PD CASH. AND CHARGED ME THRU EXTENDED WARRANTY, IF THE AIR BAGS GO OFF PC OF DASH GOING EVERYWHERE. NO WAY EVERYONE HAS SAME EXACT CRACKS AND TROUBLE WITH MY MOTOR BURNING OIL WHICH IS CHANGED BEFORE REALLY DUE, CALIPERS LOCKED UP, AND BURNT UP ABS WIRING, AND I FORGOT I WENT THROUGH 3 ALTERNATOR BEFORE FIXED AN HAVING ISSUES AGAIN. I PAY THIS MUCH AS A GOOD GM CUSTOMER AND THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO BE TREATED. I'M NOT O.K. WITH THIS.
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
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2017
THE DASH HAS CRACKED AND I FEAR THAT IN AN ACCIDENT PARTS OF THE DASH TO DEFLATE AIRBAG AND OR CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2017
DASH CONTINUES TO CRACK AND RATTLE. MAKES WIFE NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING, MAKES HER FEEL IT MAY COME APART.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2017
SEVERE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 17, 2017
I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHEN THE FIRST CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD APPEARED BUT I NOTICED IT ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THEN ON 05/16/17, I CRANKED THE CAR, PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND STARTED DOWN THE PARKING GARAGE RAMP. THAT'S WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING NOISE. SO I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. AFTER I PULLED OUT AND STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT I LOOKED AND THE DRIVER SIDE DASH ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD A LARGE V SHAPED CRACK IN IT. BECAUSE THE DASH IS BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES IT BOUNCES UP AND DOWN VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS TAKEN PICTURES AND NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKS ON BOTH SIDES. AT LEAST 10 CRACKS. IT LOOKS AS IF THE DASHBOARD WAS HIT BY AN EARTHQUAKE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF GM CARS. IT DEFINITELY IS A DEFECTIVE PART BUT EVEN MORE I'M CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT THIS COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH WOULD EXPLODE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKED OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AT AIRBAG PANEL. CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD! THOUGH PROTECTED BY WINDSHIELD DEFLECTOR ALL THE TIME DURING SUMMER WHEN PARKED.
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2017
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKING MORE AND MORE EACH DAY
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACK NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACK APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE. THERE WASN'T ANY FORCE TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE. THE CRACK WAS NOTICED WHILE I WAS PARKED, I HEARD CRACKLING SOUNDS AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED IT. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR A RECALL AND CHEVROLET HASN'T RECALLED IT, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THEIR DEFECT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2017
EXPLODING SUNROOF WHILE DRIVING IN 34 DEGREE WEATHER AT 60 MPH, NO VEHICLES AROUND ME AND I WAS NOT GOING UNDER AN OVERPASS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2017
A HUGE CRACK ON DRIVERS SIDE AND A SMALLER CRACK ON PASSENGERS SIDE DASHBOARD
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2017
2012 TAHOE DASHBOARD CRACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME APPARENTLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING IT AND 2 YEARS LATER IT CRACKED AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND CRACKS APPEARED FOR NO KNOWN REASON. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF GM VEHICLES AND GM HAS NOT HAD A RECALL. SINCE THE AIR BAGS ARE LOCATED IN THE DASH, THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL HAZARD IF AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, GM IS STILL USING THE SAME MATERIAL AND OWNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR PART OR ALL OF THE REPLACEMENT AFTER ORIGINAL 3-YEAR MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. IF IT CRACKS AGAIN AFTER ONE YEAR OF INSTALLATION, WE ARE LOOKING AT ANOTHER REPAIR BILL!
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
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2016
DASH BOARD CRACKED IN 2 PLACES OVER THE LAST WEEK. FIRST CRACK OCCURRED OVER THE GAUGE CLUSTERS, AND THE SECOND CRACK OCCURRED OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.