2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (4) · Structure:body (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle 2011-01-06 · campaign 11V007000 · 30,566 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Suspension:rear:axle:spindle 2010-12-17 · campaign 10V643000 · 1,262 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Service bulletins (341)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-16 · PIT6400A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-na-255: wax coating on frame peeling, metal shows corrosion/rusting due to issue with getting product from current supplier listed in the bulletin.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 341 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-02-18 · Engine · 65,000 mi“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.…”
2018-12-03 · Structure:body · 80,000 mi“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.…”
2018-04-14 · 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.…”
2017-10-24 · 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…”
2017-10-17 · Unknown Or Other · 90,000 mi“dash is cracked on driver and passenger side.…”
2017-09-07 · Air Bags · 110,000 mi“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 mo…”
2017-06-14 · 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…”
2017-03-03 · 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 …”
2016-10-29 · Unknown Or Other · 83,000 mi“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…”
2016-08-11 · Structure:body · 33,028 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.