2011 Chevrolet Tahoe: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe: 5 recalls, 447 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #11V007000 · 2011 · 30,566 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.
Why it matters: The driver May not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
The fix: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2011.
Steering Vehicle recall #11V339000 · 2011 · 739 vehicles
What's wrong: The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts May not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Why it matters: This could allow the joints to separate, and the driver could experience loss of steering increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about July 13, 2011.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V827000 · 2014 · 84,192 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags May not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V054000 · 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles
What's wrong: " 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,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner…
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V050000 · 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, gm is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, suburban, tahoe, GMC sierra 1500, yukon, yukon xl vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (212): the most common themes are noise or vibration (17).
- Airbags (185): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (9).
- Body & structure (81): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), door / lock issues (5).
- Electrical (17): the most common themes are door / lock issues (7), electrical failure (6), stalls / loses power (4).
The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe has 447 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 36 Tahoe model years for complaints (1.6× the average Tahoe year). Complaints peaked in 2017 (113 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 66,801 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (314 complaints, 3 recalls), 2012 (178 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?
Owners have filed 447 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (212), airbags (185), body & structure (81).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (5.3 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.