FaultScore

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe airbag problems

61 of the 253 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe are about the airbag system — 24% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,000 miles.

F

61

Complaints

6

Crashes

1

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 61 100.0%

Airbags across every Chevrolet Tahoe year

1995 20 1.3%
1996 17 1.1%
1999 20 1.3%
2000 21 1.4%
2001 31 2.1%
2002 31 2.1%
2003 19 1.3%
2004 15 1.0%
2005 19 1.3%
2007 501 33.2%
2008 233 15.5%
2009 97 6.4%
2010 115 7.6%
2011 186 12.3%
2012 61 4.0%
2013 51 3.4%
2014 13 0.9%
2015 11 0.7%
2016 10 0.7%
2017 10 0.7%
2021 26 1.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Norcross, GA

AIR BAGS

My 2012 Chevy Tahoe Dashboard is completely cracked up. This seems to be a very common issue as I read online. I am very concerned about the Safety with the Dashboard being cracked in multiple areas. What do I need to do to get Chevy to replace this at no cost to me?

NHTSA complaint #11585169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midwest City, OK Crash

AIR BAGS

I was rear ended while stopped by another truck that was going 60+ mph. None of the airbags in my 2012 Chevy Tahoe deployed. The backside of the driver and passenger seats fell off - unsure if that is airbag related but nothing deployed. My car was totaled my insurance.

NHTSA complaint #11546716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA Crash 4 injured

AIR BAGS

The vehicle was involved in a "T-Bone" collision where two vehicles drove into the driver side of my vehicle. I was not at fault and yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. In February of 2022 I took the vehicle to Felix Chevrolet to have the airbag recall repaired. In late January 2023, the "T-Bone" collision occurred. My elderly mother (front passenger) and my two sons (13 and 14 rear passengers) were also in the vehicle. ZERO airbags deployed in my vehicle. The vehicle has been parked at my residence since the incident. The vehicle or component has NOT been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others since the incident. I noticed the dash cracking after the recall was performed in 2022. I contacted Felix Chevrolet and spoke the Asst Manager Sergio who told me that GM is NOT replacing the cracked dash boards and if I could take a photo and text it to him--which I did.

NHTSA complaint #11514629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winter Garden, FL

AIR BAGS

We took our vehicle to the Chevrolet dealer: Don Mealey Chevrolet 17185 State Road 50 Clermont, Fl. 34711 (352)394-6176. They said they would not replace the defective air bag part unless we agreed that they would destroy our dash by completing the recalled part replacement. We purchased the vehicle brand new and have taken excellent care of it and the dash is in excellent condition, how can they refuse to do the required FREE recall unless we agree that if they destroy our dash. Please help us get this important safety recall completed. My name is [XXX]. I’m sure if Chevrolet is doing this to us there are other Consumers that they are doing this to that will not speak up. My family’s safety depends on the safety equipment that they placed in the vehicle that we purchased in good faith. I wanted to try this option prior to engagement of a Consumer Attorney. Thank you in advance of your assistance. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11457555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clarington, PA

AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair would be available within 3 months. 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. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.

NHTSA complaint #11440606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

new York, NY

AIR BAGS

took car to dealer for nys inspection* {recall must be done to pass} service advisors work on commision, so i get a $5500 quote on "" seriously needed work"" yet my concerns were overlooked. & unauthorized work yet Recalls are to be done free so there no commison, so they upsale you and put off the takata airbags as"" on order""= profit over safety. now im on the hook for $6000 or they keep the car then sell as "certified pre- owned" this is part of a serious flaw within the automotive industry. my car is a decommisioned nj police k9 car. so it was a fleet car + very well maintained. the service advisor is grossly over billing and padding the work order. i had to put a stop work order as a disabled person who needs his car to be mobile and i bought a used car to avoid financing and large financial obligations that i can not afford. i even got corperate involved { but they are all chevy team leaders}

NHTSA complaint #11423309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

AIR BAGS

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2012 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 contact contacted the dealer and another dealer Carl Black Chevrolet (535 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210) but was informed by both dealers that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11419510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Clinton, MS 1 injured

AIR BAGS

DASH CRACKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND GM NEEDS TO FIX IT. EVERY ONE I HAVE SEEN DOES THIS. THEY CRACK NEAR THE AIRBAG ORIGINALLY, WHICH MINE IS. IT IS BEGINNING TO CRACK IN OTHER PLACES. THE SHARP EDGES HAVE CUT MY FINGER BEFORE WHILE JUST WIPING THE DASH. THE SHARP EDGES COULD ALSO CUT INTO ELECTRICAL WIRES DOWN THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND STORED INDOORS AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE SHARP CRACKED EDGES LIKE THIS FROM NORMAL USE.

NHTSA complaint #11416315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,732 miles Maryville, IL

AIR BAGS

LAST YEAR AROUND APRIL 2020 I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DASH ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED.OVER THE LAST YEAR ANOTHER CRACK FORMED ON THE LEFT PASSENGER SIDE LOCATED WHERE THE AIR BAG IS AND THE DASH IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER HAS CRACKED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER GOING DOWN TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD, IT IS BEGINNING TO SPLIT INTO 3 SEPARATE CRACKS. MY VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT, SO I KNOW THE HEAT FROM THE SUN DID NOT CAUSE MY DASH TO CRACK IN 3 SEPARATE PLACES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I RECEIVED A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS. SO I DECIDED TO EDUCATE MYSELF ON THE RECALL AND AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THEIR VEHICLE'S DASH CRACKING AS WELL.. LETS SEE, FAULTY AIR BAGS ALONG WITH CRACKED DASHES WHERE THE AIR BAGS ARE LOCATED GUESS ITS NOT A COINCIDENCE. GUESS IT WON'T BE A COINCIDENCE WHEN THE FAULTY AIR BAG GOES OFF AND THE CRACKED PLASTIC DASH GOES FLYING AND SEVERALLY INJURES OR CAUSES DEATH TO A LOVED ONE. I WONDER HOW MANY DRIVERS AND/OR PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN INJURED OR ARE DECEASED DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #11415269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Lemoore, CA

AIR BAGS

WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR UNSAFE AIRBAGS, BUT NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHEN THEY WILL BE FIXED. SO MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING IN A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO GIVE US A REPAIR DATE. THE DEALER JUST SAID TO TRY AND DRIVE SAFELY. GM SAID THEY ARE PRIORITIZING THE REPAIRS AND SCIENCE WE LIVE IN A SMALLER CITY DOES THAT MEAN WE ARE LAST. THE TAHOE IS A 2012 SO THEY HAVE HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO FIX THE ISSUE. NISSAN FIXED MY TRUCK IN 2 WEEKS FROM THE TIME I RECEIVED THE NOTICE. WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF THEY DON'T FIX THE ISSUE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO ONE WHO CARES!!! IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY, NOT THE LIVES.

NHTSA complaint #11413595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11407904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Downingtown, PA

AIR BAGS

CRACKED DASH AND DEFECTIVE AIR BAG SYSTEM.WILL FIX THE AIRBAG BUT WON'T FIX THE CRACKED DASH IN THREE PLACES. THEY WANT MORE THAN 1500 DOLLARS TO FIX THE DASH.

NHTSA complaint #11404671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V051000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER HENDRICK GMC LOCATED AT 1620 MONTGOMERY HWY, HOOVER, AL 35216 WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11404211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,200 miles Princeton, WV

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DASHBOARD HAD STARTED TO CRACK ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V054000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,200.

NHTSA complaint #11404201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Elon, NC

AIR BAGS

COMPLAINT #11400396 --- A MISTAKE WAS MADE ON TAHOE MILAGE. INSTEAD OF 15000 MILES, IT WAS 150,000 MILES INSTEAD. PLEASE EXCUSE ME.

NHTSA complaint #11400400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Elon, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS

BOTH FRONT DOOR PANELS TEAR APART AT DOOR PULLS ,ARM RESTS. COULD BE REAR DOOR PULLS WILL TEAR UP IF USED VERY MUCH. I KNOW SOME FRIENDS, AND OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ,PICK UP TRUCKS ALSO.

NHTSA complaint #11400396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, KY

AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE

NHTSA complaint #11396393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Murfreesboro, TN Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

THERE WAS A WRECK, WHERE THE OPPOSING DRIVER PULLED OUT TO TAKE A LEFT TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, 10 FT IN FRONT OF [XXX] (OWNER OF TAHOE). IMPACT WAS ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY EFFECTIVELY RESULTING IN [XXX] HAVE A BROKEN NECK AND BONE FUSION. AIRBAGS WERE EXPLODED OPEN. THESE EVENTS MIGHT NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF PROPER EQUIPMENT WAS THERE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11377506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valdosta, GA

AIR BAGS

APRIL OF 2016 THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2012 TAHOE HAD CRACK TO SHOW UP AT MY AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF THIS IS A HAZARD. THEY AGREE THAT THE LOCATION MADE IT A HAZARD. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT THE FIRST TO COME TO THEM WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE EXACT SAME AREA. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE WAS A LAWSUIT IN PLACE TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACE BY GMC. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT OTHER CRACKS WOULD FORM OVER TIME BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE CORRECT. A FEW MONTHS LATER ANOTHER CRACK SHOWED UP ON MY DRIVER SIDE. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY ONCE AGAIN SAID THAT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE ELSE. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. THEY COULD REPLACE IT BUT THEN SAID, THAT GMC SHOULD REALLY STEP UP AND MAKE THIS A RECALL. AS I RESEARCH THIS ONLINE, I FOUND WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE 2012 GMC TAHOE. THIS IS HAZARD TO ANYONE THAT IS IN THE CAR. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS AT MY DEALERSHIP, THE CRACK AT THE AIRBAG COULD GET CUT OR MESS IT UP FROM DEPLOYING. PLUS IF I WAS TO GET INTO A WRECK THE PIECES COULD EASILY BREAK OFF AND CAUSE MORE PHYSICAL HARM. WE HAVE SPENT A LOT ON BUYING THIS TOP OF THE LINE 2012 GMC LTZ TAHOE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT OVER TIME DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACE LIKE RUBBER SEALS AROUND THE DOOR, DOOR HANDLES & OTHER THINGS THAT COME WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. HOWEVER, REPLACING A DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE ON THIS LIST. ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER VEHICLES. THE CRACKS ARE HAPPENING IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT IN BOTH PLACES. THE CRACKS ARE GETTING WORSE. I REALLY WOULD HOPE THAT GMC WOULD STEP UP & DO THE RIGHT THING TO PLACE A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED. IF THEY CARE ABOUT PEOPLES LIVES, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11366804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2 miles Auburn, NY

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 TAHOE MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I WENT TO HIT MY BRAKES TO STOP I HAD NO BRAKES SO AS I WAS COMING TO A CURVE I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL , LUCKILY I WASN'T DRIVING AT A FAST SPEED . I WAS GOING 30 SO I HAD TO WAIT FOR VEHICLE TO STOP AND PUT IN PARK AND RESTARTED VEHICLE , IT DID START BACK UP BUT NOW MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA complaint #11349658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles NEW York, NY

AIR BAGS

DASHBOARD KEEPS CRACKING BY AIR BAG COMPARTMENT AND OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER

NHTSA complaint #11349712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leander, TX

AIR BAGS

THERE IS A LARGE CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD RIGHT UP TO THE AIR BAG. I DON'T KNOW WHEN OR HOW IT STARTED. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND THERE WAS A CRACK. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING BIGGER. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #11318982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Twin Brooks, SD

AIR BAGS

APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO CRACK IN MY 2012 CHEVY TAHOE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN A HEATED GARAGE AND OUT OF THE SUNLIGHT. ON DECEMBER 1, 2015 IS THE DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER TALKED ME INTO PUTTING A NANO TECHNOLOGY COATING ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO KEEP IT IN LIKE NEW CONDITION, WHICH COST ME $899. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SHOWED THEM AND THEY WERE GOING TO LET ME KNOW IF ABRA WOULD FIX IT, HOWEVER, AFTER 2 MONTHS STILL NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND I CONTACTED THEM AGAIN YESTERDAY. THE OTHER THING IS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH AND SO WHEN YOU CLOSE THE DOOR IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO PULL THE DOOR VINYL RIGHT OFF. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #11308028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Tacoma, WA Crash

AIR BAGS

AS I WAS DRIVING ON 176TH GETTING READY TO TURN ON SPANAWAY LOOP MY WOULDN'T COMPLETE THE RIGHT TURN OR STOP SO I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER TRUCK AND MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #11278797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Spanaway, WA Crash

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON 176TH ST AND AS I APPROACHED THE LIGHT I COULD NOT BRAKE OR TURN MY CAR TO THE RIGHT IN WHICH I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON IN PACKED MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE EVEN TOLD THE OFFICER HE WAS TRYING TO TURN , HIS EYES WERE AS BIG AS A COWS CLEARLY HE WAS IN DISTRESS. LUCKILY NEITHER OF US WERE INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #11194940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL---A CODE "SERVICE AIR BAG" NOTE APPEARED ON THE DASH AND IS NOW AT THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE COST IS OVER $1000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CODE JUST CAME ON WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11172753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles North Redington Beach, FL

AIR BAGS

WE OWN TWO CHEVY TAHOE'S, ONE IS A 2008 AND THE OTHER IS A 2012. BOTH OF THEM HAVE CRACKING DASHBOARDS. I AM HIGHLY CONCERNED AS THE EFFECT THIS COULD HAVE ON THE AIRBAGS. BOTH VEHICLES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE CRACKING DASHBOARDS.

NHTSA complaint #11171567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE AIRBAG IS CRACKED CAUSING AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR MY SELF AND FAMILY.

NHTSA complaint #11166473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Grand Saline, TX

AIR BAGS

DASH IS CRACKED OVER INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND 2 SPOTS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THE CRACKS GET BIGGER EVERYDAY AND MAKES THE DASH RATTLE. BOUGHT IN 2016 AND THE CRACKS JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE. ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE THAT CRACKED INSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11129390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mooresville, NC

AIR BAGS

DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON DRIVERS SIDE AND AT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA complaint #11114678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

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