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2012 Chevrolet Tahoe: common problems and reliability
· GMT900An average Tahoe year.
358 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 Tahoe?The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe has 358 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and structure. Owners most often flag afm/dod lifter failure leading to engine damage.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Tahoe years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the Tahoe?
Across the 31 Tahoe model years we track, complaint volume runs from 55 (2020) to 1,177 (2007). With 358 complaints, the 2012 Tahoe sits above the model's median of 302.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 Tahoe
electrical system:ignition
Campaign 14V827000General 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 21V051000General 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:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 21V054000General 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.
What owners report on the GMT900 Tahoe
Owners of the 2007-2014 GMT900 Tahoe generally regard it as a durable, comfortable, and cheap-to-maintain full-size SUV, with many reporting high-mileage examples still running well.
- Very frequentAFM/DOD lifter failure leading to engine damage
- Very frequentTransmission failure or need for rebuild (4L60E and 6L80)
- RecurrentRust, particularly in the rust belt
- RecurrentTorque converter shudder or failure
- IsolatedWater leaks into the passenger floorboard (windshield or roof rack)
Owner insights for the GMT900 Tahoe. Read the full GMT900 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Tahoe listings typically run $17,995–$37,289.
Other Tahoe model years
Compare every Tahoe year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Tahoe against its rivals
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