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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2010 Chevrolet Tahoe

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 314 safety complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 9 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 115 complaints, 37% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 74,000 miles, the median across the 201 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2010 to October 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

314 complaints on file

314

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

9

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 139 · 44%
AIR BAGS 115 · 37%
STRUCTURE 89 · 28%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16 · 5%
ENGINE 11 · 4%
POWER TRAIN 6 · 2%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 5 · 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 · 2%
SEATS 4 · 1%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 · 1%
STEERING 2 · 1%
VISIBILITY 2 · 1%
0 58 115

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 314.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2016 at 79.

84 63 42 21
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2010 Chevrolet TAHOE, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash Not rated
Side barrier Not rated
Side pole Not rated
Rollover
Chance of rollover 22.8%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

NHTSA made its frontal crash test harder for the 2011 model year, and says ratings from before that change should not be compared with ratings after it. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V054000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
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 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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

General Motors, LLC · up to 1,778,128 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V053000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles 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." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and 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 Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.

General Motors, LLC · up to 692,526 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

21V050000 · February 5, 2021

The defect
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles 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." 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 Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." 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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

General Motors, LLC · up to 2,641,272 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

2 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

EA21002

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

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. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Rollover Side Curtain Air Bags

DP15004

Closed defect petition · opened June 11, 2015 · closed March 7, 2017

the air bags

In June 2015, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Defect Petition in response to a petition (see ODI 10568388) requesting a defect investigation of several alleged defects that can cause occupant ejections during rollover crashes in certain General Motors vehicles.The petition focused on a 2011 Texas crash involving a model year 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe, which allegedly resulted in multiple occupants to be ejected.One of the ejected occupants was fatally injured.In assessing the petitioner's request, ODI reviewed information from the petitioner, technical information related to rollover side curtain air bags from General Motors (note: ODI did not request GM's field incident data), NHTSA's prior testing and evaluation work related to FMVSS No. 226 Ejection Mitigation, and potentially relevant reports in the NHTSA complaint and crash databases.Based on the information available at the present time, NHTSA does not believe that a safety-related defect currently exists in the design of the rollover side curtain air bags in the model year 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe and other similarly designed Tahoe and Yukon vehicles.Therefore, the petition is denied.However, the agency will take further action if warranted by changing future circumstances.The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this petition.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE

2 injured · 46,000 miles

CHROME PLATED INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IS PEELING AND CUTTING FINGERS. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10339639. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

I got into a bad accident 3 weeks ago. I flipped 4 times and not one air bag deployed. I suffer some injuries.

NHTSA complaint 11596285. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 66,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. ..UPDATED 11/25/14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JS

NHTSA complaint 10645044. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · 53,000 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON MARCH 19, 2010, THE DRIVER ROLLING UP THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WHEN A PASSENGER'S FINGER BECAME STUCK IN THE WEATHER STRIPPING. THE PASSENGER'S RIGHT INDEX FINGER WAS AMPUTATED ABOUT 1/8TH OF AN INCH ON THE TIP. A HOSPITAL REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,700.

NHTSA complaint 10325511. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
We purchased a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe from a dealership in Wisconsin in 2022. In 2023, the vehicle’s transmission failed completely at only 128,000 miles. After researching the issue, I discovered that the 6L80E transmission installed in this model year has a long history of mechanical failures, particularly involving the torque converter and internal clutch packs. Numerous consumer complaints report identical failures, and GM has issued multiple service bulletins acknowledging related issues but has not initiated a recall. The repair shop diagnosed the problem as a failed torque converter and damaged internal clutch packs. There were no warning signs, one day the transmission functioned

NHTSA complaint 11693610, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
I have 2 GM vehicles that the Airbag light came on within 3 days of each other and neither has had any such issue ever. [XXX] 2010 Chevy Tahoe LTZ with 285,000 miles [XXX] 2011 Chevy Silverado LS with only 88,500 miles Local dealership wants $180.00 each just to check out the issue I just think this is very coincidental. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11690078. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS
2nd row seat doesnt latch sometimes or gets stuck in the down position sparking a concern for my child’s safety…I would like for this to be a goodwill safety bulletin or recall if at all possible! Thank you

NHTSA complaint 11676849. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
I wanted to express a concern regarding my vehicle. There are several wires exposed on my dashboard where multiple cracks have developed over time. I have been hesitant to bring the vehicle in for the airbag recall replacement because I am concerned that the existing damage to the dashboard could worsen during the repair process. My primary worry is that additional cracking could expose more wiring to heat, which may increase the risk of electrical issues, wire corrosion, or even a potential fire hazard. I would appreciate any guidance on how this situation could be addressed safely while completing the necessary recall work. Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your

NHTSA complaint 11671201, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact received notifications and cards of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because the vehicle was totaled. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted.

NHTSA complaint 11641260. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dash board is cracking around passanger side air bag and above instrument panel. Could shatter into pieces upon air bag deployment sending shards of dashboard flying. Could lacerate air bags. GM is aware of the problem but failed to recall vehicles from 2007 to 2013 Silverado, Tahoe,and Suburban

NHTSA complaint 11606965. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Tahoe

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 26 3 —
2025 49 1 —
2024 67 3 —
2023 222 5 —
2022 189 4 —
2021 453 16 —
2020 57 3 —
2019 106 2 —
2018 104 3 1
2017 173 4 —
2016 256 8 —
2015 658 14 1
2014 90 3 1
2013 232 4 —
2012 178 3 —
2011 446 5 —

Other 2010 Chevrolet models

Malibu 1,361 Equinox 784 Traverse 669 Cobalt 574 HHR 515 Impala 441 Silverado 1500 363 Camaro 295

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst