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2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
51
Latest Aug 8, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 232 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 51 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 51, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Aug 8, 2025

Dealer has advised that replacement of airbag will result in damage to interior parts and trim and that replacement parts are not available and that the dealer will not be responsible for replacement and repair of damage. I have refused the warranty replacement until a dealer can be located that will not damage car interior

NHTSA ID
11679387
Incident
Aug 8, 2025
Airbags
Filed Jun 10, 2025

I have a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. It is one of the thousands of which the plastic dash has cracked into pieces.My concern is that the loose plastic will hurt someone if the airbag is deployed. GM Should have never used such flimsy plastic on the dashes of so many vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11666122
Incident
Jun 10, 2025
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2024

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON A RECALL FOR AIR BAG SAFETY CONCERN FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND COMPLAINED THAT MY LOCAL DEALERS REFUSES TO REPLACE THIS ITEM. EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I KEEP GETTING NOTICES OF THE RECALL BUT WHAT GOOD IS IT WHEN GM AND THE DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG. IF YOU CONTACT THEM, YOU CAN SEE HOW MANY TIMES IV'E CALLED THEM AND COMPLAINED. DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO EXCEPT WAIT UNTIL A PASSENGER GETS INJURED OR DIES.

NHTSA ID
11596592
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2024
1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the Air Bag warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while parked at a rest stop for approximately five minutes, the vehicle was turned on, and the driver's curtain air bag and the passenger side air bags were deployed inadvertently. The contact sustained lower head and scalp injuries and was knocked unconscious. Medical attention was not needed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown third party by the insurance company where it was deemed totalled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,251.

NHTSA ID
11587799
Incident
Apr 28, 2024
Mileage
137,251 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2023

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11535774
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
Airbags
Filed Apr 4, 2022

Received recall information and have tried to have the vehicle fixed. All the Tampa dealerships in the area do not help. They hang up don't keep appointments and don't return phone calls.

NHTSA ID
11459560
Incident
Jan 12, 2022
Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2022

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the airbags service light remained illuminated while driving. The contact stated she received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) or 21V053000 (Air Bags) at the time the airbag warning light started to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced under the airbag recall however, the airbag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle failure cause was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was advised of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to another dealer for diagnosis. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11452083
Incident
Nov 16, 2021
Airbags
Filed Nov 7, 2021

Hello this car have an incomplete recall I need to get fixed can you help me out with this?? Thanks

NHTSA ID
11439635
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
Airbags
Filed Oct 18, 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available and an appointment may be scheduled in 2022. Additionally, the contact was informed that if the dashboard cracked during the recall repair, the vehicle owner was responsible to repair or replace the dashboard. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11437228
Incident
Oct 18, 2021
Airbags
Filed Oct 1, 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (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 local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11435132
Incident
Apr 14, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jul 8, 2021

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11423932
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
Mileage
124,000 mi
AirbagsPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 11, 2021

I RECEIVED RECALL AND I CALL MY GM DEALER AND THEY HAVE NOT YET CALLED ME AS OF TODAY TO GET THIS RECALL DONE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT IN AND IT HAS BEEN ALREADY 3 MONTHS SINCE THEN.

NHTSA ID
11416179
Incident
Mar 3, 2021
Airbags
Filed Apr 28, 2021

I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION IN MARCH 2021 OF A GM RECALL N212328800. I PROMPTLY CONTACTED MY GM DEALER. MY GM DEALER ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PART & WE DROPPED OFF THE CAR. AN HOUR LATER, WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETE & WE ARRIVED TO PICK UP THE CAR. WHEN SIGNING THE PAPERWORK, WE NOTICED A NOTE INDICATING THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED ON ARRIVAL. WE IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND FOUND 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD WAS NOT CRACKED ON ARRIVAL. I HAD JUST WIPED OFF THE DASH THAT MORNING PRIOR TO BRINGING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. WE TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO SAID THEY TOOK PICTURES AND HAD VIDEO. WE ASKED TO SEE SAID PICTURES AND VIDEO & ONCE THEY WENT LOOKING FOR THEM, THEY TOLD US THEY DID NOT SAVE FOR SOME REASON. WE PUSHED THE ISSUE FURTHER WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CRACKED DASH THAT OCCURRED DURING THE AIRBAG REPAIR. THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY DASHBOARD. THEY DID NOT TELL US AT ANY POINT PRIOR TO THE REPAIR THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF HAZARD THIS MAY BE TO US IN THE FUTURE BUT THE RESALE VALUE JUST TOOK A HIT.I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR SIMILAR TYPES OF DAMAGE FROM THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. I AM FOLLOWING PROTOCOL BY REPORTING THIS TO YOU.

NHTSA ID
11414371
Incident
Mar 25, 2021
Mileage
74,197 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 21, 2020

MY 2013 TAHOE HAS CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD OVER THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PASSENGER SEAT SIDE. THERE ARE PICTURES ATTACHED. THE CRACKS JUST HAPPENED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE, NOTHING HAPPENED. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN TO GET IT FIXED BUT COST IS OUTRAGEOUS. I HAVE ORDERED TWO DASH COVERS NEITHER MATCHED. NOW BY FRONT DOORS (BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) PULL HANDLES ARE FALLING PART. EVERY TIME YOU PULL THE DOOR SHUT IT PINCHES YOUR FINGERS OR SLIPS AND YOU ALMOST FALL DOWN. EVERY UNSAFE. THIS WAS MY DREAM CAR. MY HUSBAND HAS OWNED SEVERAL TAHOES THAT HE USES IN IS BUILDING BUSINESS, HE DOES NOT BABY IS VEHICLES AND HIS INTERIOR COULD BE CLEANED UP AND LOOK LIKE NEW AND IT'S A 2004 WITH ALMOST 300,000 MILES ON IT. MY INTERIOR RATTLES AND LOOKS SO CHEAP. I AM 66 YEARS OLD. I CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW TAHOE OR A USED ONE THEY ARE WAY TO EXPENSIVE IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. I TOOK TO A DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS AGO TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON THE PARTS AND LABOR. I VOTED THE PARTS QUOTE BUT HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE LABOR. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO BUY THE ENTIRE DOOR PANELS. I AM ASHAMED TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN IT, BECAUSE IT RATTLES AND LOOKS HORRIBLE. I AM AFRAID IT THE CRACK OVER THE STEERING MAY CAUSE SOME ELECTRICAL OR SOME OTHER PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE TO THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE EXACT PROBLEMS. I WOULD CONSIDER BUYING ANY ELSE, BUT WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN CHEVY FANS. I DON'T KNOW NOW?

NHTSA ID
11365601
Incident
Apr 3, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Aug 30, 2020

MY DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES AS SHOWN ON THE ATTACHED PHOTOS. ONE CRACK IS NEAR THE HOUSING FOR THE AIRBAG, AND THE OTHER IS FORMING ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CRACKS RESULT IN THE DASHBOARD SHACKING ON ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, SO EVENTUALLY THE SMALLER CRACK WILL PROGRESS ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST CHEVY DUE TO A SAFETY HAZARD FROM THIS DEFECTIVE PART. REPLACEMENT OR REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE $1200-$2000. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF NORMAL DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11352110
Incident
Aug 7, 2019
Mileage
92,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 9, 2020

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INCLUDING 3 CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WHICH I BELIEVE LEADS TO A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THE BAG DEPLOY. IF DEPLOYED, THE SHATTERED PLASTIC WOULD BE SENT AS PROJECTILES THROUGH THE CAR RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. ALSO, IF THE AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED, THE PLASTIC SHARDS COULD CUT THE AIRBAGS RENDERING THEM INEFFECTIVE. I'M ASKING FOR THIS TO BE REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS AS A SEVER SAFETY CONCERN AND ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURY. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
11323983
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Apr 7, 2019

LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, STORED IN A GARAGE AT WORK AND AT HOME. DASHBOARD CRACKED AT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS PLASTIC PARTS FROM BROKEN DASHBOARD CAN BECOME DEADLY MISSILES DURING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POTENTIALLY HARM OR CAUSE DEATH TO PASSENGER (MY CHILD). SPENT NEARLY $600 FOR A DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER REQUIRED REPLACING.

NHTSA ID
11194504
Incident
Apr 3, 2019
Mileage
65,350 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2019

DASH HAS CRACKED OVER THE LAST YEAR AROUND THE AIRBAG AND CONCERN IS THAT PIECES COULD BECOME SHRAPNEL IN CASE OF A DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ID
11182605
Incident
Jun 6, 2018
Mileage
55,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Dec 16, 2018

CRACKING IN THE DASHBOARD THAT HAS CARRIED INTO THE AIRBAG SECTION OF THE DASH THAT PREVENTED DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES OF DASH

NHTSA ID
11161852
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Airbags
Filed Dec 4, 2018

CRACK IN DASH ADJACENT TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. CONCERN DASH WOULD SHATTER IF AIR BAG DEPLOYS.

NHTSA ID
11155986
Incident
Dec 4, 2018
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 28, 2018

THE DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED IN MY 2013 CHEVROLET TAHOE PUTTING THE PASSENGER AT RISK DURING AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THE CRACK RUNS DOWN TO THE AIRBAG IT COULD POSSIBLE SHATTER THE PLASTIC AND DAMAGE PASSENGERS. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND THAT INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS UNSAFE DASH. THIS NEEDS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.

NHTSA ID
11154536
Incident
Nov 22, 2018
Airbags
Filed Sep 13, 2018

I HAVE A 2013 CHEVY TAHOE Z71 WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF THREE CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD ONE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE OTHER TWO ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE DASH MYSELF AND PAY OUT OF POCKET.

NHTSA ID
11129333
Incident
Jul 1, 2017
Mileage
34,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 21, 2018

I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK IN MY DASH ABOVE THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OVER A YEAR AGO. IT HAS NOW GROWN TO SEVERAL CRACKS ABOVE BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIRBAG. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE, EVEN PURCHASED THE EXTENDED BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CRACKS IN THE DASH AND THE POOR QUALITY OF THE DASH COULD PREVENT THE AIRBAGS FROM DEPLOYING CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ID
11121515
Incident
Feb 1, 2017
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jun 5, 2018

DASH CRACKED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, ABOVE AND INTO LEFT SIDE OF AIRBAG COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED OR SHADE IN WINDOW, WAS STATIONARY & UNOCCUPIED WHEN THE DASH CRACKED.

NHTSA ID
11099989
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Mileage
84,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 10, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. WHILE MY TAHOE WAS IN A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE NEW AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMED, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. . IN ADDITION, I NOTICED THE DEPLOYED SIDE AIR BAGS DO NOT COVER THE FRONT DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. THEREFORE, IT APPEARS TO BE ONLY A PARTIAL DEPLOYMENT OR A DEFECTIVE DESIGN THAT IN ADDITION TO ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT, THEY DO NOT PROTECT PEOPLE IN THE FRONT SEATS.

NHTSA ID
11093211
Incident
May 3, 2018
Mileage
53,300 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .