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, Aug 5, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2012 TAHOE STARTED CRACKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIRBAG. AS A FEW WEEKS HAVE GONE BY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS STARTED CRACKING TOO. THE DASH LOOKS HORRIBLE AND I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH. I AM WORRIED THAT IF I WERE IN A WRECK, THE BROKEN DASH WILL FLY OFF WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2016
THE TOP DASHBOARD PIECE HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS IN IT SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS MADE BY CONSUMERS. ONE CRACK IS NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMPARTMENT, AND ANOTHER IS AT THE BASE OF THE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT CAUSE THESE CRACKS; THEY SIMPLY APPEARED ON THE CAR AND HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW IN SIZE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2016
WHEN IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR CONTINUE TO PULL AHEAD AS IF I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS PETAL. 2ND ITEM: DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE DASH BOARD CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG COVER. BOTH ITEMS RATTLE WHEN I'M DRIVING.
Structure, Jul 6, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOVE THE ODOMETER HAS CRACKED, AS WELL AS THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ON LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE AIRBAG. THE VEHICLE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD. I NOTICED THE CRACKS WHEN I GOT INTO MY VEHICLE ONE MORNING. THE CRACKS JUST SEEMED TO APPEAR OVERNIGHT.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2016
CRACKED DASH RIGHT WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I PARK MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND USE SUNSHADES WHEN NOT PARKED INSIDE. MY TAHOE IS NOT THAT OLD. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF IT, AND THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE DASH TO CRACK. IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE THERE MAY BE TOO MUCH PRESSURE FROM THE AIRBAG BEING INSIDE THERE CAUSING IT TO CRACK. IT'S DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I'M NOT SURE THE AIRBAG WILL WORK PROPERLY IF NEEDED.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2016
DASH BOARD ON DRIVE AND PASSENGERSIDE ARE CRACK
Other or unspecified, May 18, 2016
THERE IS A CRACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH, AT THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNED OF THE AIRBAG. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLLISION SINCE I PURCHASED IT NOR DO I DO ANY KIND OF OFFROADING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. VEHICLE IS ALWAYS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WOKE UP ONE MORNING, GOT IN THE TRUCK AND THE CRACK WAS THERE. THE EVENING PRIOR, THERE WAS NO CRACK IN THE DASH. I DO NOT KNOW THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THIS CRACK. WHILE DOING RESEARCH, I NOTICED THAT OTHER VEHICLES LIKE MINE HAVE EXPERIENCED AIRBAG FAILURES WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AND AT LEAST ONE FATALITY. THE CRACK TENDS TO EXPAND WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT AND CONTRACTS TO ALMOST AN UNNOTICEABLE STATE WHEN COOL.
Electrical system, May 1, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CUTTING OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. FULL RESET OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS. BRAKES UNRESPONSIVE, STEERING, ENGINE, DASH AND ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO US THROUGH RON CATER IN ALVIN, TX WITH AN OPEN RECALL AND NOT REPAIRED BEFORE BEING DRIVEN OFF THE LOT. WILL BE TAKING IT IN ASAP.
Air bags, Apr 28, 2016
I HAVE A 2 INCH CRACK BY MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IN MY DASH ALSO THAT JUST KIND OF APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE AND THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD PANEL OF THE DASH IS ALSO LIFTING UP. I HAVE JUST NOTICED.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2016
TWO CRACKS IN THE DASH, 1 ON TOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL & THE OTHER ALONG SIDE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG; WHICH I ASSUME IS NOT VERY SAFE IN CASE OF A SITUATION WHERE THE AIR BAG MAY BE DEPLOYED.
Structure, Apr 6, 2016
TWO CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD, ONE MAJOR CRACK ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE OTHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY TAKEN CARE OF. LARGER CRACK ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS SPREADING, CAN HEAR IT CRACKING WHEN DRIVING OR STARING UP THE CAR.
Structure, Mar 15, 2016
ONE MORNING I CAME OUT TO FIND A 1/4 INCH CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD IN FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER A COUPLE DAYS IT GREW TO ABOUT AN INCH. I KEEP THE TRUCK IN SHOWROOM CONDITION AND AM SHOCKED TO FIND HOW COMMON THIS IS ON $64,000 TRUCKS WITHIN 1-3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE. MY 1998 TAHOE INTERIOR WAS PERFECT AND IT HAD 300,000 MILES. THE CRACK APPEARED OVERNIGHT.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2016
THE DASH IS CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE. PRESENTS A POSSIBLE ISSUE IF EVER IN AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2016
SEVERELY CRACKED DASH OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND MULTIPLE CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2016
CRACKING DASH BY PASSENGER AIR BAG CLOSET TO THE WINDSHEILD.
Air bags, Jan 17, 2016
I, LIKE SEVERAL HUNDRED CHEVY TAHOE, GM OWNERS (APPROXIMATE YEARS 2007-2013) ARE EXPERIENCING "CRACKED DASHES". THESE CRACKS ARE APPEARING AT VARIOUS LACES ON THE DASH BUT THE AREA OF MOST CONCERN IS ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. GM REFUSES TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. TOO, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE HAVE BEEN WAY UNDER-REPORTED TO YOU. THESE IS A LENGTHY FACEBOOK SITE DEDICATED TO THE NUMBERS OF OWNERS FACING THESE CHALLENGES. PLEASE FORCE GM TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE POOR DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION PRACTICES.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED WITHIN LAST MONTH INTO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DOOR. CONCERNED THAT DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD RESULT IN DEFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OR FURTHER BREAKAGE OF DASH CAUSING DANGER TO AUTOMOBILE PASSENGERS DUE TO SHARDS BEING BROKEN DURING DEPLOYMENT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
DASH ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL JUST SPLIT. ALSO DISCOVERED CRACK ON DASH ABOVE PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, CRACKS IN DASH DEVELOPED NEXT TO AIRBAG AND OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL, MANY OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED REGARDING HAVING THE SAME CRACKS IN THE SAME AREA, CONCERN WITH CRACK NEAR AIRBAG - WILL AIRBAG DEPLOY PROPERLY WHEN NEEDED AND/OR WILL DASH SHATTER WHEN/IF AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED
Air bags, Jan 2, 2016
I NOTICED CRACK IN DASH ON JAN 2, 2016. TAHOE IS BARELY OVER 3 YEARS OLD. I AM CONCERNED CRACK IS NEXT TO AIRBAG AND COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUE IF AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2015
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD NEXT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Electrical system, Oct 15, 2015
THE HVAC ACTUATORS OF ALL SIDES ARE VERY REGULARLY DAMAGED AND MUST BE RECALLED, EVEN NEWER VERSION LIKE 2012 ARE FACING SUCH ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2015
2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. BROKEN DASH NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DRIVERS ODOMETER.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 19, 2014
I WAS PASSING ON A TWO LANE HIGH WAY AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE DIES, NO LIGHTS NO NOTHING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. LUCKILY I HAVE ENOUGH MOMENTUM THAT I SAFELY GET AROUND THE SEMI AND CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO COAST UNTIL I FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. I CALL MY LOCAL DEALER WHO WILL NOT COME TOW ME AS I AM APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND IT DOES RESTART SO I MANAGE TO DRIVE TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND LEAVE IT THERE. NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE COMPUTER I REFUSE TO TAKE IT HOME. SHOULD THEY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM I WILL HOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND GENERAL MOTORS 100% RESPONSIBLE. THANK GOD MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE SAFE BUT THIS IS A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN IF NOT RESOLVED. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Engine, Aug 13, 2014, crash
WHILE TURNING LEFT (TAHOE) WITH A PROTECTED GREEN ARROW AT AN X-SHAPED INTERSECTION, VEHICLE (KIA SEDAN) AT FAULT FAILED TO YIELD AND ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS UPWARDS OF 40 MPH FROM THE LEFT OF THE TAHOE. FRONT-IMPACT COLLISION OCCURRED; DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE INTERSECTION AND THE VELOCITY OF THE IMPACT, TAHOE STRUCK PASSENGER SIDE OF KIA SEDAN. TRAJECTORY OF IMPACT CAUSED DIRECTIONAL CHANGES IN UPWARDS OF 90* FOR BOTH VEHICLES; THE FORCE OF THE PRIMARY ACCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE ALSO CAUSED MENTIONED VEHICLES TO COLLIDE WITH LEFT REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE (HONDA SEDAN), CAUSING NEAR 360* ROTATION OF THE HONDA SEDAN. DUE TO THE FORCE OF IMPACT, FRONT & SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH THE KIA SEDAN AND THE HONDA SEDAN, BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY ON THE TAHOE. SCENE INDICATED THAT THE KIA SEDAN MADE NO ATTEMPT TO BRAKE OR DECREASE SPEED PRIOR TO COLLISION; POSTED SPEED LIMIT AT INTERSECTION IS 40 MPH. FORCE WAS SUCH THAT AFTER THE COLLISION, TAHOE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE, BUT REMAINED AT A COMPLETE STOP. DAMAGE SUSTAINED ON THE TAHOE INCLUDE FRONT-END BODY DAMAGE, ENGINE DAMAGE (VEHICLE REQUIRED TOWING AND WAS INOPERABLE), AND FRAME DAMAGE, AT A MINIMUM. IN ADDITION, ENGINE SERVICE LIGHTS AS WELL AS ONSTAR VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE STABILITRAK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM ALSO SUSTAINED DAMAGE AND REQUIRE ATTENTION. MULTIPLE FIRST-RESPONDERS COMMENTED ON THE ODDITY THAT, GIVEN THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY THE TAHOE AND THE VELOCITY AT IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON ALL VEHICLES BUT THE TAHOE. *TR