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
180 reports, newest first.
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, Mar 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V051000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER HENDRICK GMC LOCATED AT 1620 MONTGOMERY HWY, HOOVER, AL 35216 WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT
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, 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.
Air bags, Feb 16, 2021
TAKATA AIRBAG REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE
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, 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
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.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 2, 2020
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN ON OCCASION. INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO, DASH PANEL, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ALSO DOOR LOCKS, LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. LAST YEAR I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED AFTER I WAS NEARLY HIT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THIS HAS RECENTLY THIS WEEK OCCURRED AGAIN 2 TIMES.
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
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
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Aug 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 TAHOE MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES TO STOP I HAD NO BRAKES SO AS I WAS COMING TO A CURVE I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL , LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING AT A FAST SPEED . I WAS GOING 30 SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR VEHICLE TO STOP AND PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED VEHICLE , IT DID START BACK UP BUT NOW MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON
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
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