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, Nov 16, 2018
VEHICLE HAS KNOWN DEFECT WITH DASHBOARD CRACKING. IF AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED SHARDS OF PLASTIC WOULD BE IN MY PASSENGERS FACE. ESPECIALLY IF IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2018
DASHBOARD CRACKED AROUND AIR BAGS AND ON DRIVER SIDE
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 29, 2018
THE STABLITRACK OFF LIGHT CAME ON. THE DOOR LOCKS RAPIDLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE ENGINE WAS SURGING WITH LOSS OF POWER. THE RADIO WAS GOING OFF AND ON.
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2018
THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2012 AND HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR THE ENTIRETY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF VARIOUS TRIPS. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 41.000 MILES AT THE TIME THE CRACKED DASH WAS DISCOVERED. THERE ARE NO FORESEEABLE REASON FOR THE DASH TO CRACK OTHER THAN A FAILURE IN THE MANUFACTURER PROCESS. PLEASE ADVISE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2018
MY DASH IS SEVERELY CRACKED, INCLUDING BY WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYS FROM THE DASH. AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SPLINTERING AND CAUSING HARM IN THE EVENT OF DEPLOYMENT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2018
LTZ TAHOE DASH CRACKED. ABOVE STEERING WHEEL AND PASSENGER AIRBAG. LESS THAN 37,000 MILES. STATIONARY. GM IS REFUSING NOT TO FIX. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 15, 2018
DASHBOARD CRACKING ON DRIVER SIDE IN TWO PLACES AND PASSENGER SIDE ON AIRBAG WITH NO KNOWN CAUSE.
Air bags, Jul 30, 2018
DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DRIVERS SIDE AND AT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 13, 2018
2012 CHEVY TAHOE HAS LARGE CRACKS IN THE DASH , AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.
Suspension, May 31, 2018
SUSPENSION SYSTEM MESSAGE KEEP COMING ON.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 14, 2018
THE TRACTION AND STABILITRAK CONTROLS ARE COMING ON AND STAYING WE HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM YET BUT I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL ON BOTH AT ONE POINT
Air bags, May 13, 2018
TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2018
CRACKED DASHBOARD-CRACKS ALL ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND AROUND AIRBAG
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2018
MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE DASH AND AROUND AIR BAGS. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE STATED THE DASH IS A PROBLEM IN THE AVALANCHE, SILVERADO AND TAHOE YET THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES AN ASTRONOMICAL AMOUNT TO REPLACE THE DASH.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2018
CRACKED DASH IN PASSENGER SIDE BESIDE AIRBAG
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2018
DASH HAS SPLIT INTO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CONTAINER AND NOW INTO THE COWLING THAT COVERS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED SINCE 10-3-2015 WITH LESS THAN 80000 MILES ON CAR THAT IS GARAGED AND DASH PROTECTED FROM SUN WHEN OUT OF GARAGE. SPLITS OCCURRED OVERNIGHT IN BOTH CASES WHEN CAR WAS PARKED AND WEATHER WAS NOT EXTREME; GOT IN CAR IN A.M. AND DISCOVERED SPLIT #1 (IMAGE 1)AND SAME WITH SPLIT #2 (IMAGE 2) ON 11-16-16 THAT HAS NOW FORKED (IMAGE 3) IN THE PAST MONTH. I HAVE NEVER USED ARMOR ALL ON THE DASH. IT HAS NEVER SAT OUT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2018
DASH CRACKED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG
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, Jan 9, 2018
TAKATA RECALL I CALLED BAIERL CHEVROLET IN WEXFORD, PENNSYLVANIA ABOUT THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RECALL AND THEREFORE WILL NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK AT MY TAHOE. WHO IS RIGHT? THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE? OR BAIERL CHEVROLET? THIS NEEDS TO BE CONFIRMED, AS I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING CHILDREN AROUND IN MY TAHOE.
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.