CHEVROLET TAHOE · model year

2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE

385 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009CHEVROLETTAHOE carries 385 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 TAHOE is air bags with 97 filings, followed by unknown or other (92) and structure:body (35). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2009 TAHOE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

385
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

385 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS97
UNKNOWN OR OTHER92
STRUCTURE:BODY35
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES22
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)13
ENGINE13
STRUCTURE12
SERVICE BRAKES9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
POWER TRAIN8
STEERING7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3

Recalls (5)

09V15400006/05/2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE

21V05300005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 Alaba

21V05200005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the

21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally s

10V24000004/06/2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 OUT

Recent Complaints

20241110ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20241110POWER TRAIN

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.

20241010AIR BAGS

Dash cover is falling apart, a well known defect. I worry that an airbag deployment could cause dangerous shrapnel to be projected throughout the passenger compartment causing injuries like skin cuts and eye injuries.

20240320UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I Keep getting code p2138 car stalls check engine light turns on, stability control flashes. I have to erase code to get it drive again, but will do it again soon. Been doing it for 4+ years now. The worst time it has done it is when I'm in the freeway where I have to pull off to the side if I can, I almost got into a bad accident because of this issue. Took it to my mechanic and he says take it to the dealer. I've replaced gas pedal, throttle body and it still does it.

20240221VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

My vehicle's throttle position sensor malfunctioned while I was driving on a busy highway at 55-60MPH, causing it to suddenly enter limp mode and display the error code P2138. This resulted in a rapid and unsafe reduction of speed to 30MPH, then down to 15MPH posing a hazard to myself and other drivers. Despite replacing both the gas pedal and the sensor itself in an attempt to rectify the issue, the problem persists. There are no prior reports made to the police, dealership, or insurance company regarding this matter.

20240204UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Cracked 2009 Tahoe Dash

20240204AIR BAGS

Cracked 2009 Tahoe Dash

20240204STEERING

Cracked 2009 Tahoe Dash

20230930AIR BAGS

I have this car since 2018. The dashboard of this car was in good condition however in the last few months we have see cracks developing near the airbag and the driver steering wheel. These are deep cracks. The car was 100% parked inside the garage. We are concerned if the airbag function will be impacted due to this cracks

20230930UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have this car since 2018. The dashboard of this car was in good condition however in the last few months we have see cracks developing near the airbag and the driver steering wheel. These are deep cracks. The car was 100% parked inside the garage. We are concerned if the airbag function will be impacted due to this cracks

20230430AIR BAGS

The Side area bags are Deployed a The vehicle is parked an not be operated. It wasn’t involved in any collision, The front Dash board airbags & steering wheel air bags aren’t Deployed an are in tact….there is No Body Damged or The Vehicle was Parked Not Being Operated for Over a month I Don’t understand How The Side air bags Have ruptured without any Cause That is Very Big Danger to My self an Family…There is No warning Lamps On Or Check Engine Light activated,

20220509UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Cracked dashboard. Took it to the dealer for the Airbag recall and they cracked it even worse. The dealer said well it happens to all of them. They had no solution or anything.

20220504SERVICE BRAKES

I purchased the gm sts2 software and program my truck and now I have no brakes, have all lights on with calibration and rams problem I’m sure that the calibration they provided to me, costed this problem and none off the lights are turning off, the truck lost brakes I have to stand on the paddle to stop the truck. Now I have no choice to send it the GM for there mistake. I spoke to acdelco sts2 rep. And he couldn’t figure out the problem. And the hybrid system issue also. Both front air bag impact sensors cracks in the middle turns the light on. That’s been a fault with all gm trucks. They need to update this problem.

20220504POWER TRAIN

I purchased the gm sts2 software and program my truck and now I have no brakes, have all lights on with calibration and rams problem I’m sure that the calibration they provided to me, costed this problem and none off the lights are turning off, the truck lost brakes I have to stand on the paddle to stop the truck. Now I have no choice to send it the GM for there mistake. I spoke to acdelco sts2 rep. And he couldn’t figure out the problem. And the hybrid system issue also. Both front air bag impact sensors cracks in the middle turns the light on. That’s been a fault with all gm trucks. They need to update this problem.

20220504STEERING

I purchased the gm sts2 software and program my truck and now I have no brakes, have all lights on with calibration and rams problem I’m sure that the calibration they provided to me, costed this problem and none off the lights are turning off, the truck lost brakes I have to stand on the paddle to stop the truck. Now I have no choice to send it the GM for there mistake. I spoke to acdelco sts2 rep. And he couldn’t figure out the problem. And the hybrid system issue also. Both front air bag impact sensors cracks in the middle turns the light on. That’s been a fault with all gm trucks. They need to update this problem.

20211217AIR BAGS

The dash board is completely falling apart. There are now 5 cracks and I am afraid that this could be a very dangerous situation. Apparently, there are many trucks like mine that have the same problem, but no action has been taken.

20211217UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The dash board is completely falling apart. There are now 5 cracks and I am afraid that this could be a very dangerous situation. Apparently, there are many trucks like mine that have the same problem, but no action has been taken.

20210806ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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, w

20210806FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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, w

20210806EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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, w

Compare 2009CHEVROLETTAHOE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE have?
The 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 385 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
Yes, the 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The most-complained component for the 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE is AIR BAGS with 97 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.