2013 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 232 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 4 involved a crash. 6 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 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles 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." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
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 24, 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 N212328790.
Campaign 21V053000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemOct 1, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
Campaign 14V614000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, column locking, anti-theft deviceJan 2, 2013
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Campaign 13V001000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
51 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Aug 8, 2025
Dealer has advised that replacement of airbag will result in damage to interior parts and trim and that replacement parts are not available and that the dealer will not be responsible for replacement and repair of damage. I have refused the warranty replacement until a dealer can be located that will not damage car interior
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2025
I have a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. It is one of the thousands of which the plastic dash has cracked into pieces.My concern is that the loose plastic will hurt someone if the airbag is deployed. GM Should have never used such flimsy plastic on the dashes of so many vehicles.
Air bags, Jun 25, 2024
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON A RECALL FOR AIR BAG SAFETY CONCERN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMPLAINED THAT MY LOCAL DEALERS REFUSES TO REPLACE THIS ITEM. EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I KEEP GETTING NOTICES OF THE RECALL BUT WHAT GOOD IS IT WHEN GM AND THE DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG. IF YOU CONTACT THEM, YOU CAN SEE HOW MANY TIMES IV'E CALLED THEM AND COMPLAINED. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO EXCEPT WAIT UNTIL A PASSENGER GETS INJURED OR DIES.
Air bags, May 9, 2024
The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the Air Bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while parked at a rest stop for approximately five minutes, the vehicle was turned on, and the driver's curtain air bag and the passenger side air bags were deployed inadvertently. The contact sustained lower head and scalp injuries and was knocked unconscious. Medical attention was not needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown third party by the insurance company where it was deemed totalled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,251.
Air bags, Aug 1, 2023
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Apr 4, 2022
Received recall information and have tried to have the vehicle fixed. All the Tampa dealerships in the area do not help. They hang up don't keep appointments and don't return phone calls.
Air bags, Feb 15, 2022
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the airbags service light remained illuminated while driving. The contact stated she received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) or 21V053000 (Air Bags) at the time the airbag warning light started to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under the airbag recall however, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle failure cause was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was advised of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to another dealer for diagnosis. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Air bags, Nov 7, 2021
Hello this car have an incomplete recall I need to get fixed can you help me out with this?? Thanks
Air bags, Oct 18, 2021
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available and an appointment may be scheduled in 2022. Additionally, the contact was informed that if the dashboard cracked during the recall repair, the vehicle owner was responsible to repair or replace the dashboard. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Air bags, Oct 1, 2021
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2021
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Power train, Air bags, May 11, 2021
I RECEIVED RECALL AND I CALL MY GM DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT YET CALLED ME AS OF TODAY TO GET THIS RECALL DONE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT IN AND IT HAS BEEN ALREADY 3 MONTHS SINCE THEN.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2021
I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION IN MARCH 2021 OF A GM RECALL N212328800. I PROMPTLY CONTACTED MY GM DEALER. MY GM DEALER ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PART & WE DROPPED OFF THE CAR. AN HOUR LATER, WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE & WE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE CAR. WHEN SIGNING THE PAPERWORK, WE NOTICED A NOTE INDICATING THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ON ARRIVAL. WE IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND FOUND 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT CRACKED ON ARRIVAL. I HAD JUST WIPED OFF THE DASH THAT MORNING PRIOR TO BRINGING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. WE TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO SAID THEY TOOK PICTURES AND HAD VIDEO. WE ASKED TO SEE SAID PICTURES AND VIDEO & ONCE THEY WENT LOOKING FOR THEM, THEY TOLD US THEY DID NOT SAVE FOR SOME REASON. WE PUSHED THE ISSUE FURTHER WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRACKED DASH THAT OCCURRED DURING THE AIRBAG REPAIR. THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY DASHBOARD. THEY DID NOT TELL US AT ANY POINT PRIOR TO THE REPAIR THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF HAZARD THIS MAY BE TO US IN THE FUTURE BUT THE RESALE VALUE JUST TOOK A HIT.I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR SIMILAR TYPES OF DAMAGE FROM THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. I AM FOLLOWING PROTOCOL BY REPORTING THIS TO YOU.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2020
MY 2013 TAHOE HAS CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD OVER THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER SEAT SIDE. THERE ARE PICTURES ATTACHED. THE CRACKS JUST HAPPENED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE, NOTHING HAPPENED. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN TO GET IT FIXED BUT COST IS OUTRAGEOUS. I HAVE ORDERED TWO DASH COVERS NEITHER MATCHED. NOW BY FRONT DOORS (BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) PULL HANDLES ARE FALLING PART. EVERY TIME YOU PULL THE DOOR SHUT IT PINCHES YOUR FINGERS OR SLIPS AND YOU ALMOST FALL DOWN. EVERY UNSAFE. THIS WAS MY DREAM CAR. MY HUSBAND HAS OWNED SEVERAL TAHOES THAT HE USES IN IS BUILDING BUSINESS, HE DOES NOT BABY IS VEHICLES AND HIS INTERIOR COULD BE CLEANED UP AND LOOK LIKE NEW AND IT'S A 2004 WITH ALMOST 300,000 MILES ON IT. MY INTERIOR RATTLES AND LOOKS SO CHEAP. I AM 66 YEARS OLD. I CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW TAHOE OR A USED ONE THEY ARE WAY TO EXPENSIVE IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. I TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS AGO TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR. I VOTED THE PARTS QUOTE BUT HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE LABOR. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO BUY THE ENTIRE DOOR PANELS. I AM ASHAMED TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN IT, BECAUSE IT RATTLES AND LOOKS HORRIBLE. I AM AFRAID IT THE CRACK OVER THE STEERING MAY CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL OR SOME OTHER PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEMS. I WOULD CONSIDER BUYING ANY ELSE, BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CHEVY FANS. I DON'T KNOW NOW?
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2020
MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED PHOTOS. ONE CRACK IS NEAR THE HOUSING FOR THE AIRBAG, AND THE OTHER IS FORMING ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CRACKS RESULT IN THE DASHBOARD SHACKING ON ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, SO EVENTUALLY THE SMALLER CRACK WILL PROGRESS ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVY DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD FROM THIS DEFECTIVE PART. REPLACEMENT OR REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $1200-$2000. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING.
Air bags, Structure, May 9, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INCLUDING 3 CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHICH I BELIEVE LEADS TO A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THE BAG DEPLOY. IF DEPLOYED, THE SHATTERED PLASTIC WOULD BE SENT AS PROJECTILES THROUGH THE CAR RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. ALSO, IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED, THE PLASTIC SHARDS COULD CUT THE AIRBAGS RENDERING THEM INEFFECTIVE. I'M ASKING FOR THIS TO BE REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS AS A SEVER SAFETY CONCERN AND ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURY. THANK YOU. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 7, 2019
LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, STORED IN A GARAGE AT WORK AND AT HOME. DASHBOARD CRACKED AT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS PLASTIC PARTS FROM BROKEN DASHBOARD CAN BECOME DEADLY MISSILES DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POTENTIALLY HARM OR CAUSE DEATH TO PASSENGER (MY CHILD). SPENT NEARLY $600 FOR A DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER REQUIRED REPLACING.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2019
DASH HAS CRACKED OVER THE LAST YEAR AROUND THE AIRBAG AND CONCERN IS THAT PIECES COULD BECOME SHRAPNEL IN CASE OF A DEPLOYMENT.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2018
CRACKING IN THE DASHBOARD THAT HAS CARRIED INTO THE AIRBAG SECTION OF THE DASH THAT PREVENTED DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES OF DASH
Air bags, Dec 4, 2018
CRACK IN DASH ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. CONCERN DASH WOULD SHATTER IF AIR BAG DEPLOYS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 28, 2018
THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MY 2013 CHEVROLET TAHOE PUTTING THE PASSENGER AT RISK DURING AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THE CRACK RUNS DOWN TO THE AIRBAG IT COULD POSSIBLE SHATTER THE PLASTIC AND DAMAGE PASSENGERS. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND THAT INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS UNSAFE DASH. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 13, 2018
I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY TAHOE Z71 WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF THREE CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE OTHER TWO ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE DASH MYSELF AND PAY OUT OF POCKET.
Air bags, Aug 21, 2018
I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASH ABOVE THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OVER A YEAR AGO. IT HAS NOW GROWN TO SEVERAL CRACKS ABOVE BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAG. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE, EVEN PURCHASED THE EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CRACKS IN THE DASH AND THE POOR QUALITY OF THE DASH COULD PREVENT THE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING CORRECTLY.
Air bags, Structure, Jun 5, 2018
DASH CRACKED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ABOVE AND INTO LEFT SIDE OF AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED OR SHADE IN WINDOW, WAS STATIONARY & UNOCCUPIED WHEN THE DASH CRACKED.
Air bags, May 10, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. WHILE MY TAHOE WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE NEW AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMED, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. . IN ADDITION, I NOTICED THE DEPLOYED SIDE AIR BAGS DO NOT COVER THE FRONT DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. THEREFORE, IT APPEARS TO BE ONLY A PARTIAL DEPLOYMENT OR A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT IN ADDITION TO ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT, THEY DO NOT PROTECT PEOPLE IN THE FRONT SEATS.