2009 Chevrolet Tahoe

● Typical for this model
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
284
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1988: 1 complaint 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1995 1996: 283 complaints 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 467 complaints 2005: 293 complaints 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1,176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 284 complaints 2009 284 2010: 314 complaints 2011: 447 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2015: 658 complaints 2015 2016: 256 complaints 2017: 174 complaints 2018: 103 complaints 2019: 105 complaints 2020: 57 complaints 2020 2021: 452 complaints 2022: 189 complaints 2023: 222 complaints 2024: 67 complaints 2025: 49 complaints 2025 2026: 25 complaints
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1993 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1996: 283 complaints 1996 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2002 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 467 complaints 2005: 293 complaints 2005 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1,176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 284 complaints 2009 284 2010: 314 complaints 2011: 447 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2014 2015: 658 complaints 2016: 256 complaints 2017: 174 complaints 2017 2018: 103 complaints 2019: 105 complaints 2020: 57 complaints 2020 2021: 452 complaints 2022: 189 complaints 2023: 222 complaints 2023 2024: 67 complaints 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 25 complaints 2026
1988: 1 complaint 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1992 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1994 1995: 246 complaints 1996: 283 complaints 1996 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1998 1999: 552 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2002 2003: 507 complaints 2004: 467 complaints 2004 2005: 293 complaints 2006: 114 complaints 2006 2007: 1,176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 284 complaints 2009 284 2010: 314 complaints 2011: 447 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2012 2013: 232 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2014 2015: 658 complaints 2016: 256 complaints 2016 2017: 174 complaints 2018: 103 complaints 2018 2019: 105 complaints 2020: 57 complaints 2020 2021: 452 complaints 2022: 189 complaints 2022 2023: 222 complaints 2024: 67 complaints 2024 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 25 complaints 2026

2009: 284 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19913
19926
19938
199419
1995246
1996283
1997410
1998263
1999552
2000282
2001512
2002449
2003507
2004467
2005293
2006114
20071,176
2008528
2009284
2010314
2011447
2012178
2013232
201490
2015658
2016256
2017174
2018103
2019105
202057
2021452
2022189
2023222
202467
202549
202625

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

34% · 97 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-30

Structure

18% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Both the front driver and passenger inside door handles of this vehicle, a 2009 chevy Tahoe ltz, which have a chrome colored plastic coating, have become sharp as a result of peeling on the top of the handle, causing cuts to the fingers of the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-04

Also filed under Latches/locks/linkages and equipment

Electrical system

12% · 33 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Keeps loosing power and staking while driving the brakes calipers are malfunctioning the fuel control module is being effective see there was a safety recall on this but my vehicle is listed dmfor make and model but not VIN but it's…

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-02-15

Also filed under Service brakes

Latches/locks/linkages

8% · 22 reports
INJURY

Engine

5% · 14 reports
CRASH

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2009-05-18Fuel system, gasoline09V154000 GM is recalling 27,188 my 2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade hybrid, escalade esv, and escalade ext; Chevrolet Avalanche, Suburban, Tahoe, Tahoe Hybrid, and Colorado; and GMC yukon, yukon hybrid…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new fuel system control module free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2009. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at…

  2. R
    2010-06-11Electrical system10V240000 GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; hummer H2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade…

    Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has…

  3. R
    2021-03-01Air bags21V050000 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,...

    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.

  4. R
    2021-05-11Air bags21V053000 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...

    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.

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. R
    2021-09-20Air bags21V052000 General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL...

    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 23, 2021.

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 97 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 52 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 33 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V154000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 10V240000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 21V050000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V053000 · Air bags
  • Recall 21V052000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.