About average for the Tahoe
Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Tahoe year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 74,000 miles.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 178 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most reported problem area is the air bags (61, 34% of complaints), followed by the body, doors and structure and the electrical system. That ranks 7th of 13 Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe before you buy.
Air bags
61 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 74,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
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?Owner complaint, filed 2024
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.Owner complaint, filed 2023
Body, doors and structure
39 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 69,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (30).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side and passenger’s side doors failed to open manually or while using the power door lock button. The contact was concerned because rear-seat occupants could be trapped and injured during a crash or a vehicle fire. The dealer and an independent mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 85,000 miles
Developed cracks in dash starting in 2018 and progressively got worse. Rattles when you drive. Driver door pull has also broken in several places and has pinched my hand multiple times. Dealer is aware this is a common problem but will need to replace whole door panel and dash at my expense. Transmission went at 81,000. Chevy, you can do…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Electrical system
13 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Electrical system cutting out while driving the vehicle. Full reset of the electrical system during driving conditions. Brakes unresponsive, steering, engine, dash and all other electrical equipment. Vehicle was sold to us through ron cater in alvin, tx with an open recall and not repaired before being driven off the lot. Will be taking…Owner complaint, filed 2016
The hvac actuators of all sides are very regularly damaged and must be recalled, even newer version like 2012 are facing such issues.Owner complaint, filed 2015
Brakes and stability control
11 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 40,500 miles
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…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 27,000 miles
Engine and cooling
9 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 81,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet tahoe. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power for a few seconds, but continued to operate as designed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to northwest chevrolet buick gmc cadillac of bellingham (3891 northwest ave, bellingham, wa 98226, (360) 234-3144), but…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 107,058 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed to slow for a traffic light and the vehicle jerked while shifting into low gear. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal when the traffic light had changed, the vehicle hesitated before…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 86,000 miles
While a accelerating onto an interstate highway the vehicle began to shake violently around 50mph so I pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Read later online that this anomaly is called the chevy shake. Called chevrolet customer service and they told me to take my vehicle into my local dealership for diagnosis. I also learned…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 82,000 miles
Steering
4 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
While barely moving, (about 2 mph), in a parking lot & preparing to make a sharp left turn, knuckle of driver's side wheel assembly suddenly broke, causing the wheel assembly to collapse, wheel top tilted inward and bottom tilted outward, causing major damage to upper and lower control arms, tie rod and significant body damage to two…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Dashboard cracked in two different places. First near air bag and second near steering wheel. My steering wheel makes a squeaking noise ever so often. Took it in to chevrolet shop and they found nothing wrong.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 55,000 miles
Wheels and tires
3 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
After 15 days of purchasing suv realize the two rear tires were ripped from the sides, took it to the dealership and they said they needed to replace the tires, also brakes are making a lot of noise, they said brakes were dirty and they cleaned, noise never went away. We took the suv to the dealership on 07/25/2019 we purchase…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 94,134 miles
The traction and stabilitrak controls are coming on and staying we haven't found the problem yet but I noticed there was a recall on both at one pointOwner complaint, filed 2018, at 111,231 miles
Suspension
2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
While barely moving, (about 2 mph), in a parking lot & preparing to make a sharp left turn, knuckle of driver's side wheel assembly suddenly broke, causing the wheel assembly to collapse, wheel top tilted inward and bottom tilted outward, causing major damage to upper and lower control arms, tie rod and significant body damage to two…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Cruise control and acceleration
2 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
Cpm malfunctioned causing the throttle to become stuck in full open position. The vehicle was continued to accelerate and would not stop. Computer was stuck in 100% mode. Brakes including the emergency brake would not stop the vehicle. Tahoe continued to gain speed. Rpm's running between 500-600 rpm. Traffic was everywhere turning onto a…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 20 miles
I was passing on a two lane high way at an [VIN] 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…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 17,000 miles
Fuel system
1 complaintHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times without warning. An independent mechanic replaced the fuel pump, but the vehicle continued to stall. The mechanic also noticed that the fuel pump, associated with the wiring, seal, wiring harness, and fuel system, was not getting power. The…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 82,000 miles
Chevrolet Tahoe complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 full-size SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe | About average | 3 |
| 2012 Ford Expedition | One of the better years | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota 4Runner | Among the worst years | 8 |
| 2012 Dodge Durango | Among the worst years | 10 |
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Ignition
- 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.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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.
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe are the air bags (61 complaints), the body, doors and structure (39 complaints) and the electrical system (13 complaints).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe a good year to buy?
About average for the Tahoe. Owners filed about as many complaints as a typical Tahoe year. The main thing to watch is the air bags, which half of owners reported by about 74,000 miles. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tahoe years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recent, from Feb 2021, covers the inflator module. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the air bags gave a mileage of about 74,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the body, doors and structure gave a mileage of about 69,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Chevrolet Tahoe years should I avoid?
The Tahoe years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2015 and 2021. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2014, 2018 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
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