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.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2020
BADLY CRACKED DASH.
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, Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2020
THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RIGHT UP TO THE AIR BAG. I DON'T KNOW WHEN OR HOW IT STARTED. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND THERE WAS A CRACK. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING BIGGER. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 6, 2020
CRACKED DASH ON DRIVER SIDE, BY DEFROSTING VENT
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2020
I NEED MY CRACKED DASH REPLACED OR FIXED. IT JUST CRACKED ONE DAY. NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING IT WAS PARKED AND CRACKED. I BELIEVE IT'S A FAULTY DASH. WE HAVE AN 2004 TAHOE AND DASH HAS NEVER DONE THIS. FROM WHAT I'VE READ GM PURCHASED SOME DASH FROM ANOTHER COMPANY BUT REALIZED THEY WERE PROBLEMS AND WENT BACK TO ORIGINAL COMPANY. SO THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM . . THE CRACK IS ON THR DRIVERS SIDE AND GROWING.
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.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2020
DASH CRACKED IN 2 PLACES.
Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2020
DASH IS CRACKED AND DAMAGED
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Nov 30, 2019
PERIODICLY, WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE RADIO WILL TURN OFF, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL BLINK, THE DOOR LOCKS WILL REPEATEDLY LOCK/UNLOCK, TRANSMISSION WILL FEEL LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL OR THE ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY TURN OFF.
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Nov 8, 2019, crash
AS I WAS DRIVING ON 176TH GETTING READY TO TURN ON SPANAWAY LOOP MY WOULDN'T COMPLETE THE RIGHT TURN OR STOP SO I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHEN ENTERING THROUGH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS, THE HANDLE LATCHES FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET (1101 W STATE HWY 114, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051, (817) 421-1200) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HANDLE LATCHES FRACTURED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS. THE HANDLES AND LATCHES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED $100 CREDIT TOWARDS THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. *BF *JS
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2019
MY DASH IS CRACKED AND RUNNING IN 4 DIFFERENT PLACES. TWO ON EACH SIDE OF PASSENGER DASH BY AIR BAG AND TWO ABOVE MY DASH INFORMATION PANEL.
Power train, Sep 23, 2019
METAL SHAVINGS IN FRONT DIFFERENTIAL, MILEAGE IS 54991. TOLD WARRANTY EXPIRED 9/5/19
Wheels, Service brakes, Aug 9, 2019
AFTER 15 DAYS OF PURCHASING SUV REALIZE THE TWO REAR TIRES WERE RIPPED FROM THE SIDES, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES, ALSO BRAKES ARE MAKING A LOT OF NOISE, THEY SAID BRAKES WERE DIRTY AND THEY CLEANED, NOISE NEVER WENT AWAY. WE TOOK THE SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 07/25/2019 WE PURCHASE 06/28/2019... DEALER OFFERED TO ONLY REPLACE ONE TIRE, WHICH WE DECLINED. ON THE 08/05/2019 ONE OF THE TIRED OPENED WHILE DRIVING AND NO LONGER WORK, HAD TO BUY TWO NEW TIRES SINCE TIRE SHOP SAID IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO USE THOSE TIRES
Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2019
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES. GM DEALER SAYS IT WILL NOT BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED.
Engine, Jun 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT CONTINUED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORTHWEST CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC OF BELLINGHAM (3891 NORTHWEST AVE, BELLINGHAM, WA 98226, (360) 234-3144), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,058.
Power train, May 2, 2019
WHILE A ACCELERATING ONTO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AROUND 50MPH SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. READ LATER ONLINE THAT THIS ANOMALY IS CALLED THE CHEVY SHAKE. CALLED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. I ALSO LEARNED CHEVROLET ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2019
CRACKED DASH NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG AND IN SEVERAL AREAS NOT SURE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AS I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER
Steering, Air bags, Service brakes, Apr 9, 2019, crash
I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON 176TH ST AND AS I APPROACHED THE LIGHT I COULD NOT BRAKE OR TURN MY CAR TO THE RIGHT IN WHICH I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON IN PACKED MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE EVEN TOLD THE OFFICER HE WAS TRYING TO TURN , HIS EYES WERE AS BIG AS A COWS CLEARLY HE WAS IN DISTRESS. LUCKILY NEITHER OF US WERE INJURED.
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2019
CPM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN FULL OPEN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT STOP. COMPUTER WAS STUCK IN 100% MODE. BRAKES INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. TAHOE CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. RPM'S RUNNING BETWEEN 500-600 RPM. TRAFFIC WAS EVERYWHERE TURNING ONTO A 2 LANE SIDE ROAD AND NOTIFYING 911 I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE COASTED FOR ANOTHER MILE OR MORE BEFORE STOPPING. THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AT THAT POINT.
Air bags, Jan 29, 2019
TAKATA RECALL---A CODE "SERVICE AIR BAG" NOTE APPEARED ON THE DASH AND IS NOW AT THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE COST IS OVER $1000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CODE JUST CAME ON WHILE DRIVING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2019
WE OWN TWO CHEVY TAHOE'S, ONE IS A 2008 AND THE OTHER IS A 2012. BOTH OF THEM HAVE CRACKING DASHBOARDS. I AM HIGHLY CONCERNED AS THE EFFECT THIS COULD HAVE ON THE AIRBAGS. BOTH VEHICLES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE CRACKING DASHBOARDS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2019
CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE STEERING COLUMN / INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2019
THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AIRBAG IS CRACKED CAUSING AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR MY SELF AND FAMILY.