CHEVROLET TAHOE · model year

2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE

571 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011CHEVROLETTAHOE carries 571 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 TAHOE is unknown or other with 211 filings, followed by air bags (184) and structure:body (63). 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 2011 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.

571
Complaints
8
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 3.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

571 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 3/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER211
AIR BAGS184
STRUCTURE:BODY63
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)15
STRUCTURE15
ENGINE11
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
POWER TRAIN5
SERVICE BRAKES4
VISIBILITY3
WHEELS3
SEAT BELTS3
SUSPENSION3

Recalls (5)

14V82700030/12/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, m

11V33900028/06/2011

STEERING:LINKAGES

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV; CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, SILVERADO LD, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC SIERRA HD, SIERRA LD, YUKON, AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

11V00700006/01/2011

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRAC

21V05400005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS,

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

Recent Complaints

20251016FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20250417UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Tailgate opens on its own repeatedly. Has been happening for several months, even when just sitting parked. Afraid it will happen while driving. Will drain battery as well, as it happens constantly.

20241227AIR BAGS

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.

20241115AIR BAGS

Stability track issues Trunk issues want open or go up Tires keep having to replace for no reason at all Airbag recall Traction control

20241115WHEELS

Stability track issues Trunk issues want open or go up Tires keep having to replace for no reason at all Airbag recall Traction control

20241115UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Stability track issues Trunk issues want open or go up Tires keep having to replace for no reason at all Airbag recall Traction control

20240819AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT

See attached document for complaint

20240819AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint

20240512ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20240201VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1. Dashboard has been cracking for years, now the defrost vent fins are breaking off. Happens when I clean the inside of the windshield. Makes flapping noise when I use defroster. 2. The interior light switch on the passenger side front door does not work anymore. 3. The cruise control will randomly turn itself off and other times speed up by itself.

20240201UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1. Dashboard has been cracking for years, now the defrost vent fins are breaking off. Happens when I clean the inside of the windshield. Makes flapping noise when I use defroster. 2. The interior light switch on the passenger side front door does not work anymore. 3. The cruise control will randomly turn itself off and other times speed up by itself.

20231211AIR BAGS

I took my vehicle into sunset Chevrolet in Sumner Washington, in November of 2022 and had them complete the Takata air bag recall on the vehicle. I drove it for a few months and put it in storage. Since the recall the dash is now cracked where the dealer replaced the passenger airbag recall. It was not cracked prior to the replacement. I have talked to the dealer and they are saying they will not cover this. This is a hazard issue and can cause additional shrapnel to come flying at you if the vehicle is involved in an accident. The vehicle was stored in the garage and not driven. The dealer won't even examine the vehicle to see if the bolts were inadvertently overtightened on the technicians side. This is not right and this is something that should be covered. The vehicle has about 88k miles on it. My dash was not cracked at the time of the repair and now it is. This is not right to put me at more risk than what I was at prior to the recall. I read that the Takata airbag recall stated

20231211UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I took my vehicle into sunset Chevrolet in Sumner Washington, in November of 2022 and had them complete the Takata air bag recall on the vehicle. I drove it for a few months and put it in storage. Since the recall the dash is now cracked where the dealer replaced the passenger airbag recall. It was not cracked prior to the replacement. I have talked to the dealer and they are saying they will not cover this. This is a hazard issue and can cause additional shrapnel to come flying at you if the vehicle is involved in an accident. The vehicle was stored in the garage and not driven. The dealer won't even examine the vehicle to see if the bolts were inadvertently overtightened on the technicians side. This is not right and this is something that should be covered. The vehicle has about 88k miles on it. My dash was not cracked at the time of the repair and now it is. This is not right to put me at more risk than what I was at prior to the recall. I read that the Takata airbag recall stated

20231027AIR BAGS:PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL:CUSHION

I spoke with GM a couple of times and GM refuses to help with the cost of dash repair that could happen if the airbag recall is fixed. My dash is already damaged so the repair would totally ruin the dash and can cost over $2000.00 if repairs are made, therefore my airbag recall cannot be completed

20230405ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was sold a vehicle by a small car dealer who claims to have a dealers license. He advertised the car as having 125,000 miles and that is what the odometer says. After receiving the title and looking it up on car fax I found that the vehicle actually has 255,000 miles on it. Dealer states it was a cash deal and not his problem

20220615SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the "suspension service" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle no longer felt stable. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V007000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

20220407AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 122,500

20220407STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:DASHBOARD

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

Mileage: 122,500

20220328UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My dashboard is cracked in multiple places. It is broken around the airbag. My vehicle has been garage kept. My concern is that in an accident the dashboard could shatter sending shrapnel toward driver and passenger. Further because the crack is around the airbag it could puncture the airbag on deployment rendering it ineffective resulting in serious injury or death.

20220213STRUCTURE:BODY

Dashboard is cracking at passenger side air bag, and on the driver side instrument cluster. This is a known Chevy defect and Chevy not wanting to fix the problem so to faulty engineering design. Class action lawsuit got no where. We need you help so other owners of Tahoes, Yukons, Sierra’s, and Silverados can have their faulty dashboard replaced. Definitely a safety issue due pieces of the dash flying out in a accident.

Compare 2011CHEVROLETTAHOE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE have?
The 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 571 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 3/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
Yes, the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE?
The most-complained component for the 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 211 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2011 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. The 2011 CHEVROLET TAHOE has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. 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.