Owners have filed 43 complaints
about the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2019.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 21
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 12
2.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 50
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
38.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1338.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
823.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
926.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
12.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2011peak 7Feb 2019
Recalls on the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
11V007000
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. 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.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
10V643000
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO LD AND GMC SIERRA LD VEHICLES. 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.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 1,800 milesGulfport, MSCrash
POWER TRAIN
WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD EVEN WHEN BRAKE IS BEING APPLIED. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO ENGINE SURGE AS IT DOES WITH SUDDEN GEAR CHANGE AS IF THE VEHICLE IS SPEEDING UP FROM A STAND STILL. THIS OCCURRED AS I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER UNCONTROLLABLY TO THE RIGHT (WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO PARKING SPACE) AND HIT A BRICK COLUMN. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND PERSONS WERE ABOUT TO WALK ACROSS ROAD SCARING THEM AND ME! THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THESE SAME ISSUES. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THOUGH THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10593573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SERVICE STABILITRAC SYSTEM INDICATION COMES ON, WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. HAPPENS RANDOMLY, CANNOT FIND A "COMMON CAUSE" SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON PCM, BCM, MEMORY SEAT MODULE, BATTERY CABLES, BATTERY, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ETC. ETC. DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN VEHICLE DROPS INTO POWER REDUCTION MODE.
NHTSA complaint #11180729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
ENGINE
SERVICE STABILITRAC SYSTEM INDICATION COMES ON, WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. HAPPENS RANDOMLY, CANNOT FIND A "COMMON CAUSE" SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON PCM, BCM, MEMORY SEAT MODULE, BATTERY CABLES, BATTERY, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ETC. ETC. DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN VEHICLE DROPS INTO POWER REDUCTION MODE.
NHTSA complaint #11180729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Charlotte, FL
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
SERVICE STABILITRAC SYSTEM INDICATION COMES ON, WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND ENGINE POWER REDUCED. HAPPENS RANDOMLY, CANNOT FIND A "COMMON CAUSE" SPENT LOTS OF MONEY ON PCM, BCM, MEMORY SEAT MODULE, BATTERY CABLES, BATTERY, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, ETC. ETC. DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN VEHICLE DROPS INTO POWER REDUCTION MODE.
NHTSA complaint #11180729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMidwest City, OK
AIR BAGS
SAFETY ISSUE. DASH IS CRACKING NEAR AIRBAG. THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG OR SHRAPNEL FROM DASH CAUSING HARM DURING DEPLOYMENT. DASH IS ALSO CRACKING OVER STEERING WHEEL AREA.
NHTSA complaint #11155619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMidwest City, OK
STRUCTURE:BODY
SAFETY ISSUE. DASH IS CRACKING NEAR AIRBAG. THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG OR SHRAPNEL FROM DASH CAUSING HARM DURING DEPLOYMENT. DASH IS ALSO CRACKING OVER STEERING WHEEL AREA.
NHTSA complaint #11155619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martin, TN
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL; NO GM REMEDY FROM TN CHEVROLET DEALERS. LIVE IN MARTIN, TN. 38237 NOTR: BELOW DATE FIELD WILL NOT ALLOW PRIOR YEAR DATE; RECALL +2 YEARS OUTSTANDING WITH NO REMEDY VIA GM TO DATE.
NHTSA complaint #11085038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willis, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - MY AIRBAG IS UNDER RECALL AND I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO DOES NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT OR KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HOW I CAN GET A NEW PART. I AM FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TAKATA
NHTSA complaint #11039208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesGainesville, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH IS CRACKED ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11034063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesDE Pere, WI
AIR BAGS
2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE HAS DASHBOARD CRACKING ALL AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. MY CONCERN IS IF THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED FOR ANY REASON THE HARD PLASTIC DASHBOARD MATERIAL WILL SHATTER A SCATTER ALL THROUGH THE CABIN INJURING MYSELF, OR WORSE MY FAMILY. MY UNDERSTANDING AFTER READING ALL THE REVIEWS THIS IS NOT A CONCERN OF GM EVEN THOUGH MOST VEHICLES HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THEY ARE SIMPLY WAITING FOR ENOUGH PEOPLE TO GET INJURED BEFORE THEY HAVE TO DO A RECALL DUE TO USING INFERIOR PRODUCTS. THIS WAS MY FIRST CHEVROLET AND WILL BE MY LAST, WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11022238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseboro, NC
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON THE TRUCK WILL SURGE WITH NO WARNING CAUSE THE INSTRUMENT TO BLACK OUT AND WOULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO STOP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH NO KEY AND CONTROL ON THE STEERING NOT FUNCTIONAL
NHTSA complaint #10995067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roseboro, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT IS ON THE TRUCK WILL SURGE WITH NO WARNING CAUSE THE INSTRUMENT TO BLACK OUT AND WOULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO STOP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH NO KEY AND CONTROL ON THE STEERING NOT FUNCTIONAL
NHTSA complaint #10995067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Idaho Falls, ID
AIR BAGS
GENERAL MOTORS DASH CRACKS ON VARIOUS AVALANCHE MODEL YEARS. MY RESEARCH SUGGEST OTHER GM VEHICLES SIMILAR TOO THE AVALANCHE. MY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AVALANCHE IS TYPICAL. COMPARING TOO OTHER GM VEHICLES OF OTHER OWNERS. CRACK ARE NEAR IDENTICAL IN LOCATION. PRESENTLY ONE AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. SECOND CRACK ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH HUMP. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF A DESIGN FLAW. CRACK PICTURE ARE THE BEST I CAN DO. AIRBAG CRACK IS NEAR THE QUARTER. TWO PICTURES SHOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABUSED. GENERAL MOTORS CONTACT HAVE PROVED USELESS. "IF I WANT THE CRACK REPAIRED, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FROM MY OWN POCKET."
NHTSA complaint #10958395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Idaho Falls, ID
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GENERAL MOTORS DASH CRACKS ON VARIOUS AVALANCHE MODEL YEARS. MY RESEARCH SUGGEST OTHER GM VEHICLES SIMILAR TOO THE AVALANCHE. MY METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AVALANCHE IS TYPICAL. COMPARING TOO OTHER GM VEHICLES OF OTHER OWNERS. CRACK ARE NEAR IDENTICAL IN LOCATION. PRESENTLY ONE AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. SECOND CRACK ON THE INSTRUMENT DASH HUMP. I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF A DESIGN FLAW. CRACK PICTURE ARE THE BEST I CAN DO. AIRBAG CRACK IS NEAR THE QUARTER. TWO PICTURES SHOW THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABUSED. GENERAL MOTORS CONTACT HAVE PROVED USELESS. "IF I WANT THE CRACK REPAIRED, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FROM MY OWN POCKET."
NHTSA complaint #10958395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesFramingham, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY DASHBOARD RIGHT ABOVE THE DRIVE SEAT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS A LARGE CRACK AND GETTING BIGGER. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN TRAVELING THE VIBRATION OF THE ROAD INCREASE CRACKING
NHTSA complaint #10920036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,028 milesNorthglenn, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY
DASH CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AREA. NO DISCOLORATION IN THE AREA OR ANY WARNING. ONE DAY FINE, THE NEXT DAY A CRACK APPEARED. TRUCK WAS PARKED MOST OF THE DAY AND MY WORK COMMUTE IS 6 MILES ROUND TRIP. I DON'T OFF ROAD AND I HAVE NORMAL SIZED TIRES SO NO VIBRATION OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10895183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesHouston, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10865015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFairfax, VA
AIR BAGS
DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA
NHTSA complaint #10864543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFairfax, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASH IS CRACKED AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA
NHTSA complaint #10864543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unionville, CT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD CRACKING (MAJOR) NEXT TO AIRBAG AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
NHTSA complaint #10864595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLive OAK, TX
AIR BAGS
CRACKED DASHED BOARD PART GM #19331336 PANEL. CRACKED DRIVER SIDE AND ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR AIRBAG. LOCAL CHEVY DEALER WILL ONLY REPLACE FOR PARTS AND LABOR FEE. UNKOWN CAUSE OF CRACK.
NHTSA complaint #10863071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLive OAK, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CRACKED DASHED BOARD PART GM #19331336 PANEL. CRACKED DRIVER SIDE AND ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR AIRBAG. LOCAL CHEVY DEALER WILL ONLY REPLACE FOR PARTS AND LABOR FEE. UNKOWN CAUSE OF CRACK.
NHTSA complaint #10863071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Novato, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #10862805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evans, GA
AIR BAGS
CRACK IN DASHBOARD BY PASSENGER AIRBAG
NHTSA complaint #10861128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesUnionville, CT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD CRACKING IN MUTIPLE PLACES AND AROUND AIR BAG AS WELL
NHTSA complaint #10840360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,500 milesST Petersburg, FL
AIR BAGS
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED INTO MULTIPLE PIECES AROUND AND BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NEAR THE AIRBAG. NUMEROUS CALLS WITH CHEVY HAVE FAILED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND CHEVY REFUSES TO GUARANTEE, IN WRITING, THAT THE AIRBAG WILL STILL DISCHARGE PROPERLY IN AN ACCIDENT AND REMAIN SEATED PROPERLY AND THAT THE RADIO WILL NOT DISLODGE FROM THE DASH. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 51K MILES ON IT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME DASH MADE FROM 2009-2013. CHEVY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS AN ISSUE YET REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE UNLESS THEY ARE FORCED TO IN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10820276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.