2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  25%
• 25k–50k
  512%
• 50k–75k
  25%
• 75k–100k
  1433%
• 100k–150k
  1433%
• 150k+
  512%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The Side area bags are Deployed a The vehicle is parked an not be operated. It wasn't involved in any collision, The front Dash board airbags & steering wheel air bags aren't Deployed an are in tact....there is No Body Damged or The Vehicle was Parked Not Being Operated for Over a month I Don't understand How The Side air bags Have ruptured without any Cause That is Very Big Danger to My self an Family...There is No warning Lamps On Or Check Engine Light activated,

I have this car since 2018. The dashboard of this car was in good condition however in the last few months we have see cracks developing near the airbag and the driver steering wheel. These are deep cracks. The car was 100% parked inside the garage. We are concerned if the airbag function will be impacted due to this cracks

The dash board is completely falling apart. There are now 5 cracks and I am afraid that this could be a very dangerous situation. Apparently, there are many trucks like mine that have the same problem, but no action has been taken.

Dash cover is falling apart, a well known defect. I worry that an airbag deployment could cause dangerous shrapnel to be projected throughout the passenger compartment causing injuries like skin cuts and eye injuries.

Vehicle dash has started cracking around the air bag and instrument cluster. This can and will affect the deployment of the airbag and could send flying debris into the vehicle or cut the air base upon deployment. Some estimates are that 80% of the 2009 model year have cracked. Dealership states this is a common issue and have repaired so many they have it done to half a day. Cost to repair is 1200 dollars. GM was contacted and state they cannot help us due to the fact we are second owners. Vehicle has been well maintained and has not be off road nor has it had any chemicals placed on the dash. Cracks are in the same place as everyone else's. Simple google search shows the massive amount of people dealing with this issue. In my wife's case, her vehicle, in my opinion, is not safe to drive. …

Within last 90 days dash has developed cracks around passenger side airbag compartment, which runs all the way to the bolt attachment point. Also cracked above driver instrument cluster. When turning the steering wheel (in motion or not) has a slight rubbing sound, and I am told by repair shop that it is the wound wire ignition line to the driver side airbag. I am concerned that both deficiencies in design and manufacturing, could prevent air bag deployment, or case them to go off without a front end impact to the sensors. This is a common problem with this model vehicle for several model years, and GM accepts no responsibility for defective design and manufacture, unlike Ford & Toyota. This is not a mileage issue, it is a plastic interior part, and unrelated to mileage. This vehicle is garaged and not parked in sun for long periods.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the SRS indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called the local dealer (bill buck Chevrolet, 2324 south tamiami tr., venice, fl 34293, [phone]) several times and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 109,939. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The dash on the vehicle has cracked at the passenger air bag cover. Also cracked above the speedometer. Concern is there May be humidity ingress to the airbag, the electronics or sub assemblies increasing the risk for an airbag deployment anomaly. Another concern is plastic or metal from the dash could also impact the airbag (deflation) or present injury to the occupants (flying parts). A lesser concern is the sensors for the automated ac/heating systems in the car. Believing they are calibrated with sealed intact components. The larger split at the speedometer has only recently happened which makes this a concern that there are larger more underpinning issues not fully realized.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the driver's side dashboard had a three to four inch crack. Additionally, there was a one inch crack on the passenger side dashboard. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (musson patout Buick GMC, 214 w. Hwy 90 frontage rd., new iberia, la 70560) where it was diagnosed that air bag parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 131,415.

The dashboard has cracked and repositioned itself. These cracks occurred over a period of 3 weeks until the dash repositioned itself. These cracks occurred in the normal course of driving and parking the vehicle. This repositioning is a direct result of the cracks. The passenger airbag appears to be affected by this condition posing a safety risk to any front seat passenger. These risks include improper deployment of airbag preventing proper passenger protection in a collision and pieces of the dash becoming sharp plastic projectiles if the airbag does deploy causing serious bodily injury and possibly death.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Tahoe years