Most common 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Share of the 178 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Tahoe complaints by model year
Best Tahoe years: 2020, 2014, 2018. Years to avoid: 2021, 2023, 2015, 2011, 2022. Compare all years →
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
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.
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe owners say
Air bags all 61 →
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 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.
Body & structure all 37 →
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that there were two cracks on the dashboard located near the passenger's side front air bag housing and near the steering column. There was no impact that could have caused the cracks. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall for the dashboard and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
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 better. I was warned not to buy this, but I took my chances. It feels very lemony sour now.
Electrical system
I bought truck certified by carl's Buick GMC. Jan 30th 2014 with 40 something thousand miles, also paid 5K for extended warranty. Alternator went bad, service department sucks, and also had them check my dash bc cracks started, and deemed defective by service manager bc truck kept like new, I only drive on trip to family and dr's, I'm handicapped, I pd cash. And charged me thru extended warranty, if the air bags go off pc of dash going everywhere. No way everyone has same exact cracks and trouble with my motor burning oil which is changed before really due, calipers locked up, and burnt up ABS wiring, and I forgot I went through 3 alternator before fixed an having issues again. I pay this much as a good GM customer and this is how we're going to be treated. I'm not o.k. With this.
Tl* 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 spare tire was let down to further inspect the area and the mechanic noticed that the pins were disconnected, and there was a significant amount of corrosion to the seals and wiring near the fuel system control module. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seal and seven of the wires, associated with the wiring harness, were prematurely corroded. It was also diagnosed that the fuel system control module needed to be replaced. …
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | RWD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe a good car?
Based on 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Tahoe rates average: 38% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tahoe at the same age. 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 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The air bags — 61 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (37) and electrical system (13).
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, the most recent from February 5, 2021 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Tahoe?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2014 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2023, 2015, 2011 and 2022. See the full Chevrolet Tahoe years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 24% 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.