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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags186
  2. Structure85
  3. Electrical system18
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)15
  5. Engine13
  6. Fuel/propulsion system8
  7. Vehicle speed control7
  8. Steering5
  9. Power train5
  10. Suspension4
  11. Service brakes4
  12. Wheels3
  13. Tires3
  14. Seat belts3

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20101
20113
20125
201312
201414
201539
201699
2017115
201867
201947
202024
202116
20224
20233
20245
20252
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2024Air bagsODI 11632752

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2022Air bags, StructureODI 11460020

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2024Electrical systemODI 11588289

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2019Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakes, EngineODI 11192734

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2021Suspension, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11414742

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11693784
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.