Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Owners filed 457 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA between Dec 2010 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (186).
Complaints
457
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
5
12
14
39
99
115
67
47
24
16
4
3
5
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 39 |
| 2016 | 99 |
| 2017 | 115 |
| 2018 | 67 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
186 reports2 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“I confirmed the vehicle has a recall. Called the Dealer and they informed me that the dash may crack while performing the recall but is not included in the recall. Any cracks in the dash would be customer pay. This doesn't seem right.”
Structure
85 reports2 crashes
“Takata Recall. The contact's wife owns a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who completed the recall repair; however, while driving the vehicle a week later, the contact's wife noticed that the dashboard was shaking significantly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife drove back to their residence, where the contact inspected the dashboard and noticed that it was severely cracked on the driver's side behind the steering wheel and on the passenger's side. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dashboard replacement would be at his own expense as the manufacturer would not cover the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the dealer should have informed them that the dashboard would be cracked prior to the recall repair and after the failure; however, the manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 122,500.”
Electrical system
18 reports1 fire1 related recall
“Stability trac, ABS, traction control, passenger air bag, locks are locking and unlocking, voltage to high, car will lose power while driving then shut off after alternator replaced, truck is worse also back trailer brake sensor appears to, no engine lights on went to two mechanics and unable to find the problem, very dangerous my car will randomly turn off while driving and cars in back slamming on their brakes to avoid hitting me”
Electronic stability control (esc)
15 reports
“RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED TAHOE FROM DEALERSHIP WITH WARRANTY.WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE STABILITRAC LIGHT CAME ON, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS. THE VEHICLE FISHTALED, ENGINE LOST RESPONSE. THE ABS AND STABILITRAC WARNINGS CONTINUE FOR A SHORT TIME AND WENT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY. SECOND INSTANCE IN THE RAIN, ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS TRAVELING IN THE FAST LANE, WANTED TO MOVE OVER FOR A FAST MOVING VEHICLE BEHIND ME. AS I WAS CHANGING LANES THE STABILITRAC LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THIS TIME PULSING THE A B S BREAKS. I HAD TO STEER HARDER TO THE RIGHT, TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. THE THROTTLE RESPONSE WAS LOW AS WELL. THE TAHOE IS CONSUMING HUGE AMOUNTS OF GAS. ABOUT 13MILES PER GALLON. DRAGS UP HILL. SEEMS LIKE IT HARD TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. RETURN TO DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. DEALER CLEANED THROTTLE BODY, REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. RETURNED IT TO ME, I TOLD THE DEALER TO DRIVE IT,BEFORE I ACCEPTED IT BACK. THREE CODES POPPED UP. BACK TO CHEVY FOR DIAGNOSIS. YAW SENSOR NOT COMMUNICATING, ETC. I TOLD THE DEALER I FEEL THE VEHICLE ISN'T SAFE. I GAVE THEM A LIST OF CODES OFF MY CODE READER. IT DOESN'T SEEM THEY ARE TAKING IT INTO…”
Engine
13 reports1 crash
“JUST PURCHASED TRUCK IT HAS NOT BEEN 30 DAYS AND THE SERVICE SUSPENSION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FASTER ON ITS OWN. WHICH WAS VERY SCARY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR NOW MY ENGINE LIGHT IS ON PLUS TRACTION CONTROL AND IT SOMETIMES WON'T GO OVER 70 MPH. I FEEL LIKE I WAS TOLD TRUCK WAS IN GREAT CONDITION BUT IT'S NOT AND SCARED IT MIGHT ACCELERATE ON ITS ON WITH KIDS IN CAR. I WAS ON HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WORK FROM HOME SO I HAVEN'T REALLY HAD CHANCE TO DRIVE TRUCK BUT I FEEL UN SAFE DRIVING IT BERGER CHEVROLET SHOULD BE SHAMED I HAVE CALLED MULTIPLE MANAGERS WITH NO CALL BACK”
Fuel/propulsion system
8 reports
“Fuel pump failure caused my vehicle to stall not once, not twice, but THREE times in the middle of the interstate on my way back home from out of state. This was terrifying, especially since my kids were in the car with me. The entire vehicle shut off in the middle of traffic and I was in the far left lane”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.