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, 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, Dec 24, 2016
MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASH. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED WITH CRACKS ALREADY PRESENT. ONE CRACK GREW AND OPENED INTO A HOLE IN FRONT OF STEERING WHEEL.
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.
Structure, Nov 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD A CRACK THAT SPREAD TO THE AIR BAG AREA. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2016
OUR 2012 LTZ TAHOE ONLY HAS 64,768 MILES ON IT AND IS GARAGE KEPT. WE ALSO KEEP A SUNSCREEN IN THE WINDOW WHEN IT IS SITTING OUTSIDE. WE HAVE STARTED NOTICING CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD IN 2 DIFFERENT PLACES. WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. AROUND $1000.00. I DO NOT THINK WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED SEEING AS THOUGH THE INTERNET IS FLOODED WITH PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO FEEL THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT IS AROUND THE AIRBAGS!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2016
MY DASH IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES ON MY 2012 TAHOE WITH A MANUFACTURE DATE OF 9/2011. THE DASH CRACKS ARE LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AT THE LOCATION OF THE AIRBAG AND ON THE DASH ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS IS THE LARGEST CRACK AT 6 INCHES IN THE SHAPE OF A "V". THIS CRACK HAS GROWN OVER TIME. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN REPLACING THE DASH. DUE TO PROXIMITY TO THE AIRBAG I AM CONCERNED THAT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DASH MIGHT BE DISLODGED AND BECOME A HAZARD. THE INITIAL CRACK HAPPENED AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. IT HAS GROWN WORSE. THE CAR NOW HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT.
Structure, Nov 11, 2016
DASH CRACK.AS I WAS CLEANING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT A CRACK HAD FORMED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE THE AIRBAG
Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKING FROM PASSENGER AIR BAG DOOR TO WINDSHIELD DEFROST VENT. CONTACTED DEALER - BUTCH DAVIS CHEVROLET IN RIPLEY, MS SALESPERSON ADVISED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. THE DEALER REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND ADVISED FILING A COMPLAINT WITH CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BUT THAT TO HIS KNOWLEDGE, THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET.
Air bags, Oct 6, 2016
DASHBOARD BROKE INTO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG APERTURE WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY GARAGE AND HAD LESS THAN 75,000 MILES. I WENT TO CHEVROLET SERVICE CENTER IN DALLAS, TX ON EAST I-35 CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ADDITIONAL INJURY IF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED SINCE THE DASH IS ALREADY BROKEN AND PROBABLY WILL FURTHER DISINTEGRATE IF A COLLISION CAUSES AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
Structure, Sep 29, 2016
MY DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN TWO LOCATIONS, ONE ABOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL CAUSE INJURY IF THE AIR BAG IS INFLATED. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS. THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL IS DEFECTIVE AND HAS FAILED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2016
I HAVE A 2012 TAHOE THAT HAS AN CRAKING ISSUE WITH THE DASH BOARD. ONE MONTH AGO IN AUGUST,2016 I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF THE BLUE A 1 1/2 INCH CRACK SUDDENLY APPEARED FROM THE DASH AREA INTO SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAG AREA. TODAY IS SEPTEMBER 2016 AND I WENT OUT TO MY CAR THIS MORNING TO LEAVE AND NOTICED WHILE I WAS STARTING MY CAR THAT THERE WAS A NOW A 4 INCH CRACK JUST ABOVE THE COUNSEL AREA IN THE DASH. MY VEHICLE JUST HIT 40 THOUSAND MILES AND THIS IS JUST UNEXCEPTABLE FOR CHEVY TO NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE 2007 IN MANY OF THERE VEHICLES MAINLY THE TAHOE. MY VEHICLE IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND STILL LOOKS AS IT DID THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND THE CRACKS IN THE DASH ARE TO ME A HAZARD ESPECIALLY THE ONE AROUND THE AIR BAG.
Structure, Sep 15, 2016
THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN DASHBOARD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT AND WE HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OUR MODEL. WE FEEL THAT IN A COLLISION THE DASH COULD SPLINTER AND SHARP EDGES COULD CAUSE INJURIES TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. THE MANUFACTURER BELIEVES THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. HOWEVER, HOW CAN THEY ACCOUNT FOR AN INFINITE NUMBER OF VARIABLES IN AN ACCIDENT? WE WERE OFFERED A DISCOUNT FOR A REPAIR AT THE DEALERSHIP, YET THE AMOUNT WAS STILL NEAR $600. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE SHOULDN'T INCUR ANY COSTS!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2016
DASH CRACKED FROM CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE DEFROST VENT TO AIRBAG, AND AGAIN FROM THE DEFROST VENT TO OVER DOME OVER DRIVER CLUSTER AND ANY THING WET CAN GET INTO COMPONENTS OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND REST OF STUFF IN THERE. TRUCKS NEVER BEEN KEPT IN SUN, AND HAD ONE DEALERSHIP ALREADY CONFIRMED THAT ITS A DEFECT IN PRODUCT NOT CAUSED BY ELEMENTS OR LACK OF CARE, OR ANYTHING DONE TO IT. ITS PARKED MOST TIMES AND IT'S GETTING WORSE, IM HANDICAPPED AND VEHICLE ONLY USED WHEN IM DRIVING OR IN IT. I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS BC IT'S NOT LIKE THIS WAS A CHEAP VEHICLE AND IM ON FIXED INCOME, AND PAID CASH AND EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER COSMETIC. ITS ALMOST SPLITTING AT TOP NOW ON DRIVER SIDE TO GO AROUND THE FRONT OF DASH. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BATTERY AND ALTERNATER ONLY AT 50K MILES AND WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON, NOTICED DIMMING OF LIGHTS WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL AND WHILE DRIVING THE VOLTAGE GAUGE KEPT GOING TO 0 AND BACK TO 14 BACK AND FORTH, GOT TO DEALER AND AGAIN TRIED SENDING ME HOME BUT FINALLY TESTED ORIGINAL ALTENATER AND IT WASN'T WORKING SO REPLACED AND COST ME $100 BUT STILL NO WARNING OR ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN DEALER HAD TO TOW MY VEHICLE AGAIN BC SYSTEM NO UPDATED FOUND PROBLEM BY ANOTHER DEALER, UNDER COATING COMING OFF AND RUST ON TOP BY RACK ON ROOF ON EACH SIDE. THIS WAS A $68K VEHICLE AND BECAUSE OF DEFECTS AND NOT A RECALL WE'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF COST, DEALERS WANT OVER $500 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A DESIGN OR PRODUCT OF POOR QUALITY, THIS IS HOW CHEVY/ GM BUYERS ARE TREATED WHEN BUYING ONE OF THE TOP LUXURY VEHICLES. WHAT COMPANY DOES THIS, I PAID CASH FOR THIS DREAM VEHICLE AND THE PRODUCT IS ALL OVER INTERNET AND LAWSUITS BC OF PRODUCT DEFECT, CHEAP PRODUCTS USED BUT SOLD AS TOP OF LINE. WOW.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2016
THERE ARE 2 CRACKS ON THE CENTER DASH ON EITHER SIDE OF THE RADIO SPEAKER. THEY APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE AND ARE GETTING WORSE.
Air bags, Structure, Sep 4, 2016
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASH BOARD RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THRU SOME RESEARCH I CAME ACROSS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS ISSUE AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF GM CUSTOMERS. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2016
DASH CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES.
Air bags, Structure, Aug 31, 2016
2 CRACKS AROUND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DASH BOARD. HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST MONTH.
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2016
I HAVE A CRACK ON THE DASH AND IT IS NEAR TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LID. IN CASE OF A CRASH THIS IS A RISK. I AM RESIDENTE OF COSTA RICA. AND THE CAR WAS IMPORTED TO COSTA RICA. A CONTACT PHONE IN COSTA RICA IS: + (506) 8701-2196
Equipment, Aug 23, 2016
CPSC: STOCK INTERIORS; 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE: CONSUMER STATED THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE NOT CLEAR ON HOW TO INSTALL AUTOMOBILE CARPET. *SS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A FLEET DISTRIBUTOR, THAT CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH ONLY RUBBER FLOOR MATS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CARPET WAS NOT PRECUT FOR THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
DASH CRACKING NEAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND NEAR AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE CALLED GM AND DEALERSHIPS. THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I DON'T WANT THE AIRBAG EXPLODING WHILE MY 1 YEAR OLD GRANDBABY IS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. THERE'S SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUES ONLINE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!
Other or unspecified, Aug 21, 2016
2012 TAHOE RECENTLY BOUGHT AND HAS BEGAN CRACKING AROUND THE AIR BAG AND DRIVER SIDE AS MENTIONED ON PREVIOUS POST BY OTHER CONSUMERS. A CONCERN IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED THAT SHAPREL WILL SHOOT OUT IF IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 19, 2016
TWO ISSUES: 1. DASHBOARD CRACKED AT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND ON DRIVERS SIDE. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT APPEARS UNSAFE DUE TO CRACKING. 2. IN HOT AND HUMID WEATHER TO, THE TRACTION AND STABILITY SYSTEMS BECOME INOPERABLE AND THE MESSAGE SYSTEM REQUESTS THAT MAINTENANCE BE PERFORMED. THIS MESSAGE CAN COME UP A FEW MINUTES AFTER DRIVING OR CAN COME ON RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Aug 19, 2016
REAR DOOR ARE NOT DRAINING. THE DRAIN HOLES ARE PLUGGED DUE TO THE OUTSIDE. THE REAR DOORS FILL UP WITH WATER.
Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2016
TWO ADVANCING CRACKS IN THE DASH.