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2012 Chevrolet TAHOE: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

178 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 123 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 100 of 178 complaints (56.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior105.6%
Steering behavior95.1%
Electrical and battery issues73.9%
Transmission and shifting52.8%
Engine operation21.1%
Fuel system concerns10.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Unknown Or Other
100
Air Bags
61
Structure:Body
30
Electrical System
12
Engine
9
Power Train
7
Service Brakes
6
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Unknown Or Other100
Air Bags61
Structure:Body30
Electrical System12
Engine9
Power Train7
Service Brakes6
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5

Unknown Or Other: 100; Air Bags: 61; Structure:Body: 30; Electrical System: 12; Engine: 9; Power Train: 7; Service Brakes: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
7
25,000 to 49,999
22
50,000 to 74,999
38
75,000 to 99,999
32
100,000 to 149,999
22
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0007
25,000 to 49,99922
50,000 to 74,99938
75,000 to 99,99932
100,000 to 149,99922
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 38; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 22; 150,000 and above: 2

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (38). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
2
2013
1
2014
4
2015
3
2016
43
2017
29
2018
21
2019
17
2020
21
2021
24
2022
2
2023
6
2024
2
2025
1
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20122
20131
20144
20153
201643
201729
201821
201917
202021
202124
20222
20236
20242
20251
20262

2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 43; 2017: 29; 2018: 21; 2019: 17; 2020: 21; 2021: 24; 2022: 2; 2023: 6; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10446509 · 2012-02-09 (February 9, 2012)

2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH OIL GAUGE AND STATES INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL IS DEFECTIVE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE SHOWED ZERO PRESSURE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED HIM ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE COST WOULD BE $ 395.00 TO REPLACE IT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10446509 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10461601 · 2012-06-19 (June 19, 2012)

2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRASH WHILE DRIVING SAFELY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ACROSS A PARKING LOT, WHEN SUDDENLY HE STRUCK A LIGHT POLE AND CAUSED OVER $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE DRIVER MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE VEHICLE HAVING A HUGE BLIND SPOT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10461601 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10548433 · 2013-10-18 (October 18, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10548433 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10598685 · 2014-06-16 (June 16, 2014)

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. VEHICLES ENGINE AND INSTRUMENT PANEL CYCLED ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. NOTING THAT ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE FINALLY SHUTDOWN. FURTHERMORE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE TRUCK ON ONLY RESULTED IN FLICKERING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THIS EVENT FORTUNATELY ENOUGH AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WE NOTICED THAT ELECTRIC FOLDING MIRRORS WEREN'T RESPONDING TO THE PUSH BUTTON ACTUATING THE FOLDING MIRRORS FEATURE. THIS EVENT WE WER…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,030 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598685 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10606611 · 2014-06-28 (June 28, 2014)

THE ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHTS SHOWING THEY HAD BEEN TURNED OFF CAME ON, AND THE MESSAGE DISPLAY SAID SERVICE THE SAME. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED FOR ERRORS AND RESET COMPUTER. IT HAS KEPT GOING IN AND OUT OF OPERATION SPORADICALLY FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. REALLY NO EXPLANATION. HAVE TRIED TO FIND SIMILARITIES IN THE SITUATIONS WHEN IT IS A PROBLEM. THE INCIDENTS SEEM RANDOM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I HIT BUMP OR DIP IN A ROAD, IT HAS BECOME INOPERATIVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. BUT IT DOESN'T HAPP…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10606611 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10622016 · 2014-08-13 (August 13, 2014)

WHILE TURNING LEFT (TAHOE) WITH A PROTECTED GREEN ARROW AT AN X-SHAPED INTERSECTION, VEHICLE (KIA SEDAN) AT FAULT FAILED TO YIELD AND ENTERED THE INTERSECTION AT SPEEDS UPWARDS OF 40 MPH FROM THE LEFT OF THE TAHOE. FRONT-IMPACT COLLISION OCCURRED; DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE INTERSECTION AND THE VELOCITY OF THE IMPACT, TAHOE STRUCK PASSENGER SIDE OF KIA SEDAN. TRAJECTORY OF IMPACT CAUSED DIRECTIONAL CHANGES IN UPWARDS OF 90* FOR BOTH VEHICLES; THE FORCE OF THE PRIMARY ACCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE ALSO CAUSED MENTIONED VEHICLES TO COLLIDE WITH LEFT REA…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622016 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10626334 · 2014-08-19 (August 19, 2014)

I WAS PASSING ON A TWO LANE HIGH WAY AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE DIES, NO LIGHTS NO NOTHING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. LUCKILY I HAVE ENOUGH MOMENTUM THAT I SAFELY GET AROUND THE SEMI AND CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO COAST UNTIL I FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. I CALL MY LOCAL DEALER WHO WILL NOT COME TOW ME AS I AM APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE GM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. I TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND IT DOES RESTART SO I MANAGE TO DRIVE TO A NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND LEAVE IT THERE. NOTHING SHOWS UP ON THE COMPUTER …

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10626334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10731898 · 2015-07-03 (July 3, 2015)

2012 CHEVROLET TAHOE. BROKEN DASH NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DRIVERS ODOMETER.

Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10731898 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V827000 · Electrical System:Ignition

Reported: 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V051000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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." 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.

Consequence: 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 May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328770.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗