Most common 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Tahoe Hybrid years: 2011, 2009. Years to avoid: 2008. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid owners say
Electrical system
When driving or sitting in a parked position the electrical system goes crazy. Radio, dash controls, bells, lights, unlock/lock all start going on and off randomly. While driving the car will actually die out and stall while the electrical system is going crazy. The electrical system then locked either my ABS or 4wd on the back wheels causing the car to drive slowly then when I finally could pull over my car was smoking from under the entire car like it was going to catch on fire. This is completely unsafe. I was driving up a main highway when my truck started failing in the middle of traffic causing me to put the car in neutral and coast to the side. I then tried to start the truck again and it would not start at all. After turning everything on and off, moving the steering wheel it finally started again. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The contact stated that the service engine warning light and various warning indicators randomly flashed at a high rate of speed. The instrument cluster randomly shorted out while driving approximately 75 MPH. Also, there was a drastic reduction in speed and the vehicle stalled. The contact had to apply extreme force to the steering wheel and the power steering assist failed. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence due to the sudden failure. An independent repair shop inspected the vehicle and was able to review the diagnostic trouble codes, but was unable to provide a diagnosis to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed by a dealer to determine the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Brakes
When driving or sitting in a parked position the electrical system goes crazy. Radio, dash controls, bells, lights, unlock/lock all start going on and off randomly. While driving the car will actually die out and stall while the electrical system is going crazy. The electrical system then locked either my ABS or 4wd on the back wheels causing the car to drive slowly then when I finally could pull over my car was smoking from under the entire car like it was going to catch on fire. This is completely unsafe. I was driving up a main highway when my truck started failing in the middle of traffic causing me to put the car in neutral and coast to the side. I then tried to start the truck again and it would not start at all. After turning everything on and off, moving the steering wheel it finally started again. …
I have never had any issues other than the recalls with my Tahoe. I pulled into a parking space at my bank. As I got into the space. The brakes went to the floor and I put both feet on the brake pedal at this point. The rpms went up. It was like the engine came to life by itself. It self accelerated over the concrete spacer and sidewalk into the bank's brick wall. The airbag deployed upon impact. There was never a time it decelerated. There was no one in the car but me thankfully. There were no warning lights. There were no bells warning of the failure. I would estimate it took 2-3 seconds to go from almost stopped in a parking space to hitting the brick. I am so shaken by this incident and I have no idea what to do. GMC has been informed.
Transmission & drivetrain
My 2009 Hybrid Tahoe accelerates uncontrollably on occasion. The issue arrises commonly in stop-and-go traffic when the Hybrid system starts/stops the gasoline engine regularly. I notice in many circumstances when switching gas/electric modes the vehicle lurches forward. The feeling is the same as letting out the clutch quickly on a vehicle with a manual transmission. I have done as much research as I can and it appears the problem points to issues with the transmission fluid pump(s) and/or control modules. When the system operates on the gas engine, the Hybrid Tahoe's transmission relies on an engine driven hydraulic fluid pump. When the system switches to electric mode, an auxiliary transmission fluid pump turns on, driven by an independent electric motor. …
I have never had any issues other than the recalls with my Tahoe. I pulled into a parking space at my bank. As I got into the space. The brakes went to the floor and I put both feet on the brake pedal at this point. The rpms went up. It was like the engine came to life by itself. It self accelerated over the concrete spacer and sidewalk into the bank's brick wall. The airbag deployed upon impact. There was never a time it decelerated. There was no one in the car but me thankfully. There were no warning lights. There were no bells warning of the failure. I would estimate it took 2-3 seconds to go from almost stopped in a parking space to hitting the brick. I am so shaken by this incident and I have no idea what to do. GMC has been informed.
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | RWD | 21 / 22 / 21 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 20 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Tahoe Hybrid rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tahoe Hybrid at the same age. It is one of the best Tahoe Hybrid years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid?
The electrical system — 7 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (4) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008. See the full Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 87,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.