AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 446 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1,671 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2017 | 18 | 256 |
| Nov 2017 | 16 | 272 |
| Dec 2017 | 10 | 282 |
| Jan 2018 | 8 | 290 |
| Feb 2018 | 4 | 294 |
| Mar 2018 | 6 | 300 |
| Apr 2018 | 3 | 303 |
| May 2018 | 5 | 308 |
| Jun 2018 | 6 | 314 |
| Jul 2018 | 6 | 320 |
| Aug 2018 | 10 | 330 |
| Sep 2018 | 5 | 335 |
| Oct 2018 | 3 | 338 |
| Nov 2018 | 5 | 343 |
| Dec 2018 | 4 | 347 |
| Jan 2019 | 5 | 352 |
| Feb 2019 | 8 | 360 |
| Mar 2019 | 3 | 363 |
| Apr 2019 | 3 | 366 |
| May 2019 | 4 | 370 |
| Jun 2019 | 2 | 372 |
| Jul 2019 | 4 | 376 |
| Aug 2019 | 5 | 381 |
| Sep 2019 | 3 | 384 |
| Oct 2019 | 6 | 390 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 391 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 392 |
| Jan 2020 | 3 | 395 |
| Feb 2020 | 3 | 398 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 399 |
| May 2020 | 2 | 401 |
| Jun 2020 | 2 | 403 |
| Jul 2020 | 2 | 405 |
| Sep 2020 | 5 | 410 |
| Oct 2020 | 2 | 412 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 413 |
| Dec 2020 | 3 | 416 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 417 |
| Feb 2021 | 3 | 420 |
| Mar 2021 | 4 | 424 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 426 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 427 |
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 429 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 430 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 431 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 432 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 433 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 434 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 435 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 436 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 437 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 438 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 439 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 440 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 441 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 442 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 443 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 444 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 445 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | 446 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags18552.3%
- Body & structure8022.6%
- Driver assistance195.4%
- Electrical164.5%
- Engine113.1%
- Fuel system72.0%
- Visibility51.4%
- Powertrain (other)51.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11693784
- Incident
- Sep 28, 2025
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11655202
- Incident
- Apr 17, 2025
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11632752
- Incident
- Dec 27, 2024
Stability track issues Trunk issues want open or go up Tires keep having to replace for no reason at all Airbag recall Traction control
- NHTSA ID
- 11625438
- Incident
- Jul 9, 2024
See attached document for complaint
- NHTSA ID
- 11609323
- Incident
- May 1, 2024
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11588289
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11569359
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2020
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 to repair the cracked dashes. Mine cracked after gm performed the recall. This is a hazard and is something that should be taken care of. I am disabled individual.
- NHTSA ID
- 11559524
- Incident
- Dec 11, 2023
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This Preliminary information communicates direction to find information at www.gmupfitter.com for Police and Special Service Vehicles.
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 54.2 |
| 2025 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 49.8 |
| 2024 | 60 | 3 | 3 | 61.0 |
| 2023 | 205 | 5 | 3 | 64.3 |
| 2022 | 178 | 4 | 3 | 64.4 |
| 2021 | 431 | 16 | 4 | 68.5 |
| 2020 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 60.8 |
| 2019 | 102 | 2 | 0 | 56.8 |
| 2018 | 101 | 3 | 0 | 56.0 |
| 2017 | 173 | 4 | 0 | 54.1 |
| 2016 | 255 | 8 | 1 | 60.3 |
| 2015 | 657 | 14 | 1 | 57.9 |
| 2014 | 90 | 3 | 1 | 50.4 |
| 2013 | 232 | 4 | 1 | 50.4 |
| 2012 | 178 | 3 | 1 | 53.8 |
| 2011Viewing | 446 | 5 | 1 | 52.4 |
| 2010 | 314 | 4 | 2 | 54.9 |
| 2009 | 284 | 5 | 1 | 52.8 |
| 2008 | 528 | 4 | 4 | 57.8 |
| 2007 | 1,176 | 4 | 5 | 60.4 |
| 2006 | 114 | 4 | 0 | 48.5 |
| 2005 | 293 | 7 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 2004 | 466 | 5 | 0 | 50.8 |
| 2003 | 507 | 7 | 3 | 58.3 |
| 2002 | 449 | 6 | 5 | 64.7 |
| 2001 | 512 | 8 | 6 | 65.8 |
| 2000 | 282 | 10 | 6 | 65.2 |
| 1999 | 552 | 3 | 5 | 62.2 |
| 1998 | 263 | 4 | 2 | 59.0 |
| 1997 | 410 | 2 | 4 | 56.2 |
| 1996 | 283 | 5 | 7 | 64.1 |
| 1995 | 246 | 8 | 8 | 64.8 |
| 1994 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 56.8 |
| 1993 | 8 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1992 | 6 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.