2010 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Complaints

We purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe from a dealership in Wisconsin in 2022. In 2023, the vehicle’s transmission failed completely at only 128,000 miles. After researching the issue, I discovered that the 6L80E transmission installed in this model year has a long history of mechanical failures, particularly involving the torque converter and internal clutch packs. Numerous consumer complaints report identical failures, and GM has issued multiple service bulletins acknowledging related issues but has not initiated a recall. The repair shop diagnosed the problem as a failed torque converter and damaged internal clutch packs. There were no warning signs, one day the transmission functioned normally, and the next day it failed completely. This failure caused significant financial hardship. I paid over $5,000 for a full transmission rebuild using my credit card, resulting in ongoing interest charges and credit impact. I had to perform balance transfers to manage the debt and ease the financial burden. Given the widespread nature of this issue and GM’s acknowledgment of mechanical defects in the 6L80E transmission, I am requesting that GM reimburse repair costs and that regulators investigate the 6L80E’s reliability and safety to determine whether a recall or class action remedy is warranted.

NHTSA ID

11693610

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

I have 2 GM vehicles that the Airbag light came on within 3 days of each other and neither has had any such issue ever. [XXX] 2010 Chevy Tahoe LTZ with 285,000 miles [XXX] 2011 Chevy Silverado LS with only 88,500 miles Local dealership wants $180.00 each just to check out the issue I just think this is very coincidental. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11690078

Incident

Sep 26, 2025

2nd row seat doesnt latch sometimes or gets stuck in the down position sparking a concern for my child’s safety…I would like for this to be a goodwill safety bulletin or recall if at all possible! Thank you

NHTSA ID

11676849

Incident

Jul 28, 2025

I wanted to express a concern regarding my vehicle. There are several wires exposed on my dashboard where multiple cracks have developed over time. I have been hesitant to bring the vehicle in for the airbag recall replacement because I am concerned that the existing damage to the dashboard could worsen during the repair process. My primary worry is that additional cracking could expose more wiring to heat, which may increase the risk of electrical issues, wire corrosion, or even a potential fire hazard. I would appreciate any guidance on how this situation could be addressed safely while completing the necessary recall work. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your advice on the best next steps.

NHTSA ID

11671201

Incident

Jul 3, 2025

The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notifications and cards of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.

NHTSA ID

11641260

Incident

Feb 7, 2025

Dear NHTSA Please Help Me With This Issues I Buy This Car From Capitol Chevrolet In San Jose CA And This Car Since Was Purchased I Been Having To Many Issues Please Help And Contact Me To See If I Can Get My Money Back Sincerely [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11615496

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

Dash board is cracking around passanger side air bag and above instrument panel. Could shatter into pieces upon air bag deployment sending shards of dashboard flying. Could lacerate air bags. GM is aware of the problem but failed to recall vehicles from 2007 to 2013 Silverado, Tahoe,and Suburban

NHTSA ID

11606965

Incident

Aug 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at slow speeds into a parking area, the passenger's side of the vehicle collapsed, rendering the vehicle inoperable. The contact stated that shortly afterwards, Roadside Assistance arrived to tow the vehicle and observed that the frame had split down the center. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 240,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11605937

Incident

Jul 31, 2024

Mileage

240,000 mi

I got into a bad accident 3 weeks ago. I flipped 4 times and not one air bag deployed. I suffer some injuries.

NHTSA ID

11596285

Incident

Jun 6, 2024

I contacted Don Mealey Chevrolet in Clairmont Fl and was informed by them they can do air bag recall. But I must sign a waver if the dash crackes in the process they are not responsible for damages and I will have to pay for dash if I want it fixed. Why would I be responsible if this is a recall.I contacted Chevrolet and was informed its a case by case thing and they will not guarantee dash being fixed. Why would I want to chance this.

NHTSA ID

11591447

Incident

May 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the vehicle, the contact observed an excessive fuel leak around the fuel tank. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.

NHTSA ID

11560104

Incident

Dec 11, 2023

Mileage

142,000 mi

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11501252

Incident

Jan 10, 2023

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000(Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11470823

Incident

Oct 26, 2021

To Whom It May Concern, I have a 2010 Tahoe LTZ which has a cracked dashboard. I have called around to get this fixed and this is very expensive at the dealership for over $1500. I had checked around and found out that this is a common issue with certain types of GM vehicles and mine is on the list. I will like for this to be replaced by GM because because this is truly a safety issue because the cracks are on the driver side near the airbags. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11466407

Incident

Apr 5, 2022

Dash is cracked

NHTSA ID

11459446

Incident

Apr 3, 2013

Dash is cracked and showing engine parts

NHTSA ID

11455977

Incident

Mar 4, 2022

THE DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AND FALLING APART. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED INSIDE THE GARAGE DAILY. FOR WHAT THESE VEHICLES COST, THE DASH SHOULDN'T BE FALLING APART. VERY SAD ON GM'S PART.

NHTSA ID

11454589

Incident

Feb 26, 2017

Driver side high beam light went out so bulb was changed. A couple weeks later light went back out again. Thought it was a defect bulb purchased another and changed it again. Now it goes in and out. The driver window will not let down when the high beam light is working.

NHTSA ID

11447477

Incident

Jun 7, 2021

Transmission failure knocking and pinging would not go in reverse would only go 10 mph. Vehicle has never been abused only has 128,428 miles.

NHTSA ID

11444608

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

The vehicle randomly loses or gains power while driving. All of the auto locks go up and down, while the cluster goes in and out with very high rpms and then completely loses power in the middle of the road. Or this happens and the steering gets very tough. It is very dangerous because there are times where it happens on the highway while doing up to 80mph. It also happens when sitting at line to pick up my child in pre-k. If it were to jump and the brakes weren’t hit fast enough it could really cause a horrible and possibly deadly situation. I have done everything that I can on my end with this truck. I recently replaced the battery and replaced the master fuse since reading it was the cause. That lasted for a week. I have read hundreds of owners with the same problems that have went to private owned mechanic shops along with gm certified mechanic shops. They have yet to find an answer to this possibly deadly malfunction. There are posts and websites all over sharing other owners with the same problems and all of their stories end the same. That gm along with any mechanic used has yet to find any results to this. I noticed that the 2015 model has a recall for this problem but doesn’t describe what is being done to fix the actual problem. It has the same engine and setup as far as I can see so I wonder why there isn’t a recall for the 2010. I have two school age children that have to be brought to and picked up from school daily. If you look up this problem online you will find endless stories and questions about the issue at hand. Most people end up spending thousands of dollars trying to fix the problem on new batteries, cables, starters, etc. However, they all end up with the problem being unresolved with all of that unnecessary debt. This is a very serious manner and I feel that it’s only a matter of time before lives are lost over this. I thank you for the opportunity to be heard and pray that a resolution comes sooner than later.

NHTSA ID

11439394

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

The dashboard has cracked and split around the passenger side airbag. The sharp edges of the plastic could be a hazard in an accident. The edges are very sharp.

NHTSA ID

11438289

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Dash cracked. The entire dash. Multiple cracks multiple areas.

NHTSA ID

11418883

Incident

May 4, 2012

THE FRONT DASH HAS CRACKED PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY IN 2 PLACES. THIS OCCURRED FROM THE SUN WITH NO OTHER FACTORS COMING INTO PLAY. THE DRIVER SEAT FABRIC DOES NOT STAY ATTACHED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT. APPEARS IT IS MISSING A CLIP OR A POOR DESIGN THAT DOES NOT SECURE LOWER FABRIC SECURE TO THE SEAT. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL OVER. NOT SURE IF IT'S IN THE STEERING COLUMN ITSELF OR FROM ANOTHER PIECE/FABRICATION MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

11408667

Incident

Apr 10, 2019

Mileage

78,000 mi

THE DASH HAS CRACKED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THIS LEADS TO DASH MOVEMENT WHILE IN MOTION, WHICH IS DISTRACTING. ALL THE CLIPS ON THE FRONT DASH ASSEMBLY HAVE BROKEN OFF, PRESUMABLY FROM DASH MOVEMENT, WHICH LEAVES IT UNSECURED DURING A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

11403772

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

LIFTERS COLLAPSED, MOTOR BLEW ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH CAUSING LARGE ACCIDENT ON SHOULDER

NHTSA ID

11398640

Incident

Feb 19, 2021

Mileage

126,000 mi