Problems · NHTSA complaints
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Owners filed 180 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA between Feb 2012 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (63).
Complaints
180
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
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 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
1
4
3
44
29
22
17
21
24
2
6
2
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 29 |
| 2018 | 22 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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
63 reports6 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“My 2012 Chevy Tahoe Dashboard is completely cracked up. This seems to be a very common issue as I read online. I am very concerned about the Safety with the Dashboard being cracked in multiple areas. What do I need to do to get Chevy to replace this at no cost to me?”
Structure
37 reports3 crashes
“The AC in the front stopped working on and off but the AC in the back continues to work that's one warning a situation. The second is the oil light constantly shows low oil even when you get an oil change. The park tire pressure always moves back and forth to 40% to all the way down to 30.”
Electrical system
13 reports1 fire1 related recall
“DASH CRACKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND GM NEEDS TO FIX IT. EVERY ONE I HAVE SEEN DOES THIS. THEY CRACK NEAR THE AIRBAG ORIGINALLY, WHICH MINE IS. IT IS BEGINNING TO CRACK IN OTHER PLACES. THE SHARP EDGES HAVE CUT MY FINGER BEFORE WHILE JUST WIPING THE DASH. THE SHARP EDGES COULD ALSO CUT INTO ELECTRICAL WIRES DOWN THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND STORED INDOORS AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SHARP CRACKED EDGES LIKE THIS FROM NORMAL USE.”
Engine
9 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the same diagnostic information was provided. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.”
Power train
7 reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to slow for a traffic light and the vehicle jerked while shifting into low gear. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal when the traffic light had changed, the vehicle hesitated before responding and was jerking and shuddering while changing gear and accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure became a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and had referred the contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.”
Service brakes
6 reports3 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 TAHOE MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES TO STOP I HAD NO BRAKES SO AS I WAS COMING TO A CURVE I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL , LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING AT A FAST SPEED . I WAS GOING 30 SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR VEHICLE TO STOP AND PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED VEHICLE , IT DID START BACK UP BUT NOW MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.