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2011 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

The most common problem on the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe is airbags, typically around 67,000 miles. It has 1.6 times the complaints of a typical Tahoe model year.

Typical year1.6x the typical complaints
Year score
56/100
Owner complaints
447
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
1,673
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
17-21mpg

The worst 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

Check engine light 8Door locks 7ABS 5Airbag light 5Loss of power 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe mention

P2135 2

Recalls 5

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported February 5, 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006; and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

Recall number 21V050000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported February 5, 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006; and GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Recall number 21V054000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported December 30, 2014 · 84,192 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Risk
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), or 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

Recall number 14V827000 · Recall details

Steering: linkagesReported June 28, 2011 · 739 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 13, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑800‑458‑8006, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 11V339000 · Recall details

Suspension: rear: axle: spindleReported January 6, 2011 · 30,566 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
Risk
The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 11V007000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

Defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

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 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 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe 1,673

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 1,673 bulletins for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
6.0L 8‑cyl HybridRWD202321
6.0L 8‑cyl Hybrid4WD202321
5.3L 8‑cylRWD152117
5.3L 8‑cyl4WD152117

What 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · NE

The plastic used to make the dash is not made to with hold the exposure of sun and heat. My dash is cracking and becoming very brittle. It is exposing the electrical components in the dash and around the air bag is cracked and continues to Crack in more places. Even the lower parts not exposed to direct sun light is cracking.i feel this needs to be recalled or replaced by the manufacturer.

Filed Oct 16, 2025 · Fuel system · GA

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

Filed Apr 17, 2025 · VA

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.

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Airbags · NC

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2024 · Airbags, Wheels · GA

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

Filed Aug 19, 2024 · Airbags · MI

See attached document for complaint

Filed May 12, 2024 · Electrical · CA

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

Filed Feb 1, 2024 · Acceleration · GA

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.

Filed Dec 11, 2023 · Airbags · WA

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2023 · Airbags · SC

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

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe before you buy

Compare the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Owners have filed 447 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe, 1.6 times a typical Tahoe model year.

What is the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe year score?

The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe scores 56 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Tahoe: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe?

Airbags, with 185 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is body (81).

How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

5 recalls, covering air bags, electrical system and steering.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 21V050000, 21V054000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Tahoe have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Tahoe model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (500 complaints), 2008 (233 complaints) and 2011 (185 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe get?

Official estimates for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe range from 17 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (6.0L 8-cyl hybrid, RWD) gets 20 city and 23 highway.

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