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2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Chevrolet Tahoe
Pictured: 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe RST, front 3.7.22. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD Ltz, 4dr SUV RWD Ls/Lt, Hybrid 4dr SUV 2WD, Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD
Engines
6.0L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, FFV
MPG (best)
21 combined · 20 city / 23 hwy
Length
202 in
Curb weight
5,265–5,836 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 16 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (6.0L 8-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,525 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Ltz).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (20 city / 23 highway), 0% better than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 173 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Tahoe — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Tahoe →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD Ltz202 in77.6 in77.2 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,525 lb51/49
4dr SUV RWD Ls/Lt202 in77.6 in77.2 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,265 lb51/49
Hybrid 4dr SUV 2WD202 in79.1 in76.8 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,617 lb51/49
Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD202 in79.1 in77.2 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,836 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tahoe Hybrid 2WD Hybrid6.0L 8-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 23 / 210%$3,200423
Tahoe Hybrid 4WD Hybrid6.0L 8-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)4-Wheel Drive20 / 23 / 21+11%$3,200423
Tahoe 1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-19%$3,950523
Tahoe 1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-11%$3,950523
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe (this car)21 MPGNot rated4
2012 Ford Explorer23 MPGNot rated5
2012 Ford Expedition16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Nissan Pathfinder17 MPGNot rated2
2012 Dodge Durango19 MPGNot rated10
2012 Toyota Sequoia16 MPGNot rated3
2012 Nissan Armada15 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V051000 · 284,645 vehicles

Problem
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, 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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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 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 N212328770.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V054000 · 1,778,128 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan · Dec 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V868000 · 49,927 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit vehicles manufactured August 24, 2009, to December 1, 2013. The affected vehicles, equipped with special equipment options for police or government service, may experience corrosion of the under-hood cooling fan assembly due to fluid intrusion, which may result in an electrical short circuit.
Risk
A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fan motor and shroud, extend the wiring and re-orient the fan motor to reduce the risk of corrosion, free of charge. The recall began on September 7, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16145.
Electrical System › Ignition · Dec 30, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles

Problem
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. 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.
Risk
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.
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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

173Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
10Injuries reported
73,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other101
Air Bags62
Structure › Body29
Electrical System11
Power Train6
Engine6
Service Brakes5
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/10: 220/11: 120/12: 221/01: 421/02: 221/03: 621/04: 321/05: 221/06: 121/07: 321/08: 121/11: 121/12: 122/03: 122/05: 123/03: 323/05: 123/07: 123/09: 124/04: 124/12: 125/04: 126/03: 126/04: 120/1021/0121/0421/0721/1223/0323/0925/04max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 62 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 29 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 73,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tahoe years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Tahoe24–Not rated00
2026 Tahoe24210.6 inNot rated327
2025 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★151
2024 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★369
2023 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★5233
2022 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★4197
2021 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★16461
2020 Tahoe18203.9 in★★★★★357
2019 Tahoe18203.9 in★★★★★2109
2018 Tahoe19203.9 in★★★★★3105
2017 Tahoe19203.9 in★★★★★4174
2016 Tahoe19203.9 inNot rated10257

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →