Problems · by component

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical system problems

40 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe cite electrical system, 13% of all 306 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
40
13% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The dash and front and rear lights keep going on and off. And I changed all my lights on from and rear and it still happens there is a smell coming from my glove box. I can show you in person so we can see what can be done to fix this problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2026Electrical system, Seats, EngineODI 11748963
“P2138 code causing the car to have reduced engine power causing unsafe driving conditions and danger to other traffic. Vehicle has been to dealer multiple times for issue, ECM replaced costing thousands and still not working.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2024Power train, Electrical systemODI 11624420
“Recall #09V154000 should have been performed on my vehicle according to the list of VIN #'s affected, but it never was and I was never notified of the recall. I purchased this vehicle the month before this recall was announced in 2009 and did not start having safety issues until after my new SUV warranty had expired (how convenient). Over the years, I have spent thousands of dollars replacing all kinds of sensors, relays, batteries and various other parts trying to alleviate the unsafe electrical and loss of power issues that this faulty part continues to cause. I have taken this vehicle to my local dealership on countless occasions, complaining that the vehicle intermittently: does not start, the engine suddenly dies while driving on the highway or turning a corner (becoming unsteerable and the brakes won't work), suddenly decelerates, door locks cycle rapidly while driving, the check engine light and other warning lights/alarms come on, headlights and dash lights suddenly shut off, windows or AC stops working, and now the fuel gauge only reads 1/4 tank when I just filled it up. I took the SUV to my local dealer again today, explained the intermittent…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2021Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11428124
“ONE EVENING I DROVE TO THE STORE AND PLACED MY TRUCK ON PARK FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES WITHOUT SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. ONCE I'M BACK IN AND GOING IN REVERSE I NOTICED THAT THE ASSISTED POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TERMINALS AND WAITED BUT THE EPS NEVER CAME BACK ON. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOED TO MY NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALER WHOM LATER CONCLUDED THAT THE STEERING GEAR AND SOME COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. THEY BILLED ME FOR APPROXIMATELY $2900. NOW, HERE I AM EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! EXPIRED WARRANTY AND A HUGE BILL OF REPAIR. I HAVE THE DEALER RECEIPTS ON FILE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2020Steering, Electrical systemODI 11341804
“KEEPS LOOSING POWER AND STAKING WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES CALIPERS ARE MALFUNCTIONING THE FUEL CONTROL MODULE IS BEING EFFECTIVE SEE THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS BUT MY VEHICLE IS LISTED DMFOR MAKE AND MODEL BUT NOT VIN BUT IT'S EFFECTIVE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2020Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11309443
“GM HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN IN THREE TIMES FOR AN ELTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR REVS UP AND SPEEDS UP TO 55 MILES PER HOUR ON ITS OWN. HAS NO POWER STEERING. REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THROWING 47 CODES. NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER. STABILITY TRACK TURNS OFF. DOORS AND AUTO SHUT OFF TURN OFF AND ON WHEN THIS OCCURS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 23, 2019Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11203252

Showing 6 of 40 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system

Free remedy

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Electrical systemReported Jun 4, 2010NHTSA 10V240000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2009 Tahoe problem areas