2011 Chevrolet AVALANCHE 1500
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Chevrolet AVALANCHE 1500 has 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: there a deep gash/crack in the dashboard on the passenger side that starts at the upper left corner of passenger airbag! very concerned after i googled this problem and can see that there are instances of this on gm vehicles 'all over the internet and the complaints date back to 2006. also noting t.
43
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
AIR BAGS
11 complaints- • THERE A DEEP GASH/CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT STARTS AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG! VERY CONCERNED AFTER I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE INSTANCES OF THIS ON GM VEHICLES 'ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THE COMPLAINTS DATE BACK TO 2006. ALSO NOTING T
- • 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 A
- • CRACK IN DASHBOARD BY PASSENGER AIRBAG
“THERE A DEEP GASH/CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT STARTS AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG! VERY CONCERNED AFTER I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE INSTANCES OF THIS ON GM VEHICLES 'ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THE COMPLAINTS DATE BACK TO 2006. ALSO NOTING T”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
11 complaints- • DASHBOARD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 2" FROM AIRBAG TO FRONT WINDSHIELD VENT CAUSING DASH TO SINK RESULTING IN SAFETY ISSUE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BOTH ONLINE AND WITHIN THE FLEET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR WHICH I AM CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING VEHICLES, I NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE IS EP
- • 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 A
- • DASHBOARD CRACKING IN MUTIPLE PLACES AND AROUND AIR BAG AS WELL
“DASHBOARD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 2" FROM AIRBAG TO FRONT WINDSHIELD VENT CAUSING DASH TO SINK RESULTING IN SAFETY ISSUE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BOTH ONLINE AND WITHIN THE FLEET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR WHICH I AM CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING VEHICLES, I NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE IS EP”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
4 complaints- • REDUCED ENGINE POWER , ENGINE DIES NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ALMOST REAR ENDED ON I-25. TROUBLE CODE SAYS P2135 THROTTLE BODY HAS HAPPENED 20 TIMES OR MORE IN 8 MONTHS. DEALER WHERE PURCHASED SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM THEN SAID NEW WIRING HARNESS MIGHT FIX IT,KNEW THE PRICE WITHOU
- • AT @4000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND #1 SPARK PLUG WAS BAD. THEY REPLACED THE PLUG & OIL. AGAIN ABOUT ANOTHER 4000 MILE IT DID THE SAME THING. THEY REPLACED THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS, THAT STOPPED THE SPARK PLUG FROM GOING
- • I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND MY TRUCK SUDDENLY WENT FROM 45MPH TO 20 MPH AND THE MOTOR BEGAN TO MISS FIRE AND BUCK. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMEONE FOLLOWING ME THEY WOULD OF HIT ME IN THE REAREND DUE TO THE SUDDEN SLOWING OF MY VEHIC
“REDUCED ENGINE POWER , ENGINE DIES NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ALMOST REAR ENDED ON I-25. TROUBLE CODE SAYS P2135 THROTTLE BODY HAS HAPPENED 20 TIMES OR MORE IN 8 MONTHS. DEALER WHERE PURCHASED SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM THEN SAID NEW WIRING HARNESS MIGHT FIX IT,KNEW THE PRICE WITHOU”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
4 complaints- • REDUCED ENGINE POWER , ENGINE DIES NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ALMOST REAR ENDED ON I-25. TROUBLE CODE SAYS P2135 THROTTLE BODY HAS HAPPENED 20 TIMES OR MORE IN 8 MONTHS. DEALER WHERE PURCHASED SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM THEN SAID NEW WIRING HARNESS MIGHT FIX IT,KNEW THE PRICE WITHOU
- • I WAS IN LINE AT A DRIVE THROUGH AT BURGER KING AND AS I PULLED UP TO THE CASHIERS WINDOW TO PAY FOR MY FOOD THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SHAKING AND LURCHING TRYING TO GO FORWARD. I CAN'T SAY FOR SURE HOW HIGH THE TACHOMETER WA
- • 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
“REDUCED ENGINE POWER , ENGINE DIES NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ALMOST REAR ENDED ON I-25. TROUBLE CODE SAYS P2135 THROTTLE BODY HAS HAPPENED 20 TIMES OR MORE IN 8 MONTHS. DEALER WHERE PURCHASED SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM THEN SAID NEW WIRING HARNESS MIGHT FIX IT,KNEW THE PRICE WITHOU”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BODY/STRUCTURE
4 complaints- • THERE A DEEP GASH/CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT STARTS AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG! VERY CONCERNED AFTER I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE INSTANCES OF THIS ON GM VEHICLES 'ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THE COMPLAINTS DATE BACK TO 2006. ALSO NOTING T
- • 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ. DASHBOARD IS CRACKING ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, ALMOST DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SPEEDO. FINDING A LOT OF FORUMS ON THIS PROBLEM WITH GM TRUCKS AND SUV'S. *TR
- • 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.
“THERE A DEEP GASH/CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT STARTS AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG! VERY CONCERNED AFTER I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE INSTANCES OF THIS ON GM VEHICLES 'ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THE COMPLAINTS DATE BACK TO 2006. ALSO NOTING T”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 43 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: THERE A DEEP GASH/CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT STARTS AT THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF PASSENGER AIRBAG! VERY CONCERNED AFTER I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM AND CAN SEE THAT THERE ARE INSTANCES OF THIS ON GM VEHICLES 'ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THE COMPLAINTS DATE BACK TO 2006. ALSO NOTING T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: DASHBOARD CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 2" FROM AIRBAG TO FRONT WINDSHIELD VENT CAUSING DASH TO SINK RESULTING IN SAFETY ISSUE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BOTH ONLINE AND WITHIN THE FLEET OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR WHICH I AM CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING VEHICLES, I NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE IS EP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: REDUCED ENGINE POWER , ENGINE DIES NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ALMOST REAR ENDED ON I-25. TROUBLE CODE SAYS P2135 THROTTLE BODY HAS HAPPENED 20 TIMES OR MORE IN 8 MONTHS. DEALER WHERE PURCHASED SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM THEN SAID NEW WIRING HARNESS MIGHT FIX IT,KNEW THE PRICE WITHOU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: REDUCED ENGINE POWER , ENGINE DIES NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ALMOST REAR ENDED ON I-25. TROUBLE CODE SAYS P2135 THROTTLE BODY HAS HAPPENED 20 TIMES OR MORE IN 8 MONTHS. DEALER WHERE PURCHASED SAY THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM THEN SAID NEW WIRING HARNESS MIGHT FIX IT,KNEW THE PRICE WITHOU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chevrolet AVALANCHE 1500 — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 1
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
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