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2011 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20266 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2011 Chevrolet Avalanche Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche has 161 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve air bags and unknown or other.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.7/ 10

Based on 161 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

AIR BAGS

55 34.2%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

44 27.3%

STRUCTURE:BODY

16 9.9%

POWER TRAIN

9 5.6%

ENGINE

9 5.6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is AIR BAGS, accounting for 34.2% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 17 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche

The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche has 161 owner complaints in this dataset. AIR BAGS is the most common complaint category, representing about 34% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche are AIR BAGS (55), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (44), STRUCTURE:BODY (16).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 78 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2012 Avalanche complaints2013 Avalanche complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 17 of 17 systems

AIR BAGS

55 Reports34% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SPIDERED OUT INTO THE AIR VENT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO AWAY IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I GUESS THAT DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING. I KNOW OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMERS!!! *TR

11/21/2014

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED FOR NO REASON IN TWO PLACES. ONE CRACK INVOLVES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER AND THE COVER IS COMING OFF DUE TO THE CRACK. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE BUT WOULD NOT COVER IT. THE CRACK IS GETTING WORSE AND THE AIRBAG COVER IS LIFTING UP WHICH WILL COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME ISSUE OF CRACKING OF THE DASHBOARD AND ALL ARE SAYING THE DEALERSHIP WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THIS DEFECT. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO DEFECTS, 3 TIMES IF YOU COUNT THE INITIAL REBUILDING OF THE ENGINE. *JS

12/2/2014

53 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

44 Reports27% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CRACKED DASH NEAR PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT COULD CAUSE SHARDS OF PLASTIC TO BE PROJECTED DURING CRASH.

7/31/2015

I HAD A CRACK THAT I NOTICED ON THE DRIVER SIDE ON THE DASH. A FEW MONTHS LATER I NOTICED ANOTHER ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE DASH BY THE AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN ON DIFFERENT CUSTOMER FORUMS AND YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND HAS CAUSE ME TO RECONSIDER IF I WANT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER GM VEHICLE. I HAVE A FAMILY AND FEAR THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY AND CAUSE HARM TO ANYONE THAT MAY BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH COULD LEAD TO LEGAL ACTIONS IN CASE OF AN INJURY. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE ENOUGH OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WILL COME FORWARD. I HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP LOYAL PAYING CUSTOMERS LIKE MYSELF, WITHOUT US HAVING TO PAY ANY LABOR COSTS. I WILL START CONSIDERING EXPOSING THIS TO THE NEWS STATION IF NOTHING IS DONE.

9/14/2015

42 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

16 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WAS CONSTANTLY VIBRATING. IN ADDITION, A CRACK WAS VISIBLE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DASHBOARD NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.

12/4/2013

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED FOR NO REASON IN TWO PLACES. ONE CRACK INVOLVES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COVER AND THE COVER IS COMING OFF DUE TO THE CRACK. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE BUT WOULD NOT COVER IT. THE CRACK IS GETTING WORSE AND THE AIRBAG COVER IS LIFTING UP WHICH WILL COMPROMISE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME ISSUE OF CRACKING OF THE DASHBOARD AND ALL ARE SAYING THE DEALERSHIP WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THIS DEFECT. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO DEFECTS, 3 TIMES IF YOU COUNT THE INITIAL REBUILDING OF THE ENGINE. *JS

12/2/2014

14 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

9 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP THE TRANSMISSION WILL SUDDENLY MAKE THE VEHICLE SURGE FORWARD QUICKLY. IF I NOT JUST AS QUICK TO APPLY A FIRM BRAKE I RISK HITTING THE CAR OR PEDESTRIANS NEAR ME WHICH HAS HAPPEN ON SEVERAL OCCASION. ON ONE OCCASION, AS I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD SO FORCEFULLY THAT IT CAUSE THE FRONT LEFT BUMBLE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE PLANNED PATH AND HIT A BRICK COLUMN. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN SITUATIONS WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN, I.E. MAKING TURNS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, PARKING, ETC. IT CAN BE FRIGHTENING WHEN IT OCCURS UNEXPECTEDLY. RECENTLY TOOK INTO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND SAID CHEVROLET ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON A FIX WHERE THE TRANSMISSION'S COMPUTER IS ALTERED. BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM CONFIDENT IN THE OUTCOME. *TR

6/5/2013

AT TIMES WHEN MY AVALANCHE IS SLOWING DOWN (CLOSE TO A STOP) THE TRUCK WILL LUNGE FORWARD. IT FEELS LIKE IT'S SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION (DOWNSHIFTING?). ALMOST LIKE A SURGE OF ENERGY UNEXPECTEDLY PUSHES THE TRUCK FORWARD. IT DOES CATCH ME OFF GUARD AT TIMES, BUT LUCKILY I HAVE NOT STRUCK ANYTHING WHEN IT HAS HAPPENED. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME, BUT RATHER INTERMITTENTLY. I AM HOPING THAT GM CAN FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING AND POSSIBLY ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

8/3/2013

7 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

9 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE BEGAN TO NOTICE WHEN SLOWING DOWN (FOOT OFF THE GAS AND COASTING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, OR BRAKE APPLIED) AT ANY AREA WHERE MY SPEED DECREASES TO LESS THAN 15 MPH THAT MY AVALANCHE WILL SEEM TO SORT OF LUNGE FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS I BELIEVED IT WAS RELATED TO ME AND IGNORED IT. THE NEXT COUPLE OF TIMES I EXPERIENCED THIS I THOUGHT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GAS OR ENGINE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS (WHO OWN THE SAME YEAR MODEL AVALANCHE AND SUBURBAN - THE SUBURBAN AND AVALANCHE ARE MADE FROM THE SAME FRAME/BODY/PARTS) AND THEY STATE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I MUST BE CAUTIOUS TO RIDE MY BRAKES AND BE READ TO HEAVILY APPLY THEM NOW WHEN TAKING AN OFF/ON RAMP AND VEHICLES ARE IN FRONT OF ME AS MY VEHICLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD BEFORE WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I NOTICED HERE THAT (AT THE TIME OF THIS SUBMISSION) THAT TWO OTHER USERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME INCIDENT. I AM HOPING THAT MY REPORT HERE WILL HELP OPEN AN INVESTIGATION WITH CHEVROLET ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

9/14/2013

I OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ AND AT TIMES WHEN THE TRUCK DOWN SHIFTS IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD. I REALLY NEED TO HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM POSSIBLY HITTING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME AND IT'S RATHER RANDOM. I FEEL THAT IS WORSE THEN IT HAPPENING ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT IT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL, BUT I FEEL A FIX IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

11/15/2013

7 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE

5 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING EVERYWHERE. AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE HARD PLASTIC DASH, AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THAT IT WOULD SEND SMALL PIECES OF CRACKED HARD PLASTIC AS PROJECTILES. DASH IS ALSO CRACKED AROUND IN DASH SPEAKER, AND BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL.

9/6/2014

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SPIDERED OUT INTO THE AIR VENT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, AND BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GO AWAY IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. I BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I GUESS THAT DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING. I KNOW OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMERS!!! *TR

11/21/2014

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FIRST FEW MONTHS EXPERIENCED TRUCK LUNGING FORWARD WHILST ATTEMPTING TO STOP. EXPRESSED CONCERN WITH SERVICE DEPT. THEY STATED NATURE OF THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. MARCH 2013 CALLED GM SERVICE #[XXX] AFTER EXPERIENCING ON HIGHWAY @ 65 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING AS I APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN RPM'S JUMPED TO 4500 AND ACCELERATED. 3/21/13 MILEAGE 24,565 WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP NO CODES WERE FOUND. WAS REFERRED BY GM TO TECH SPECIALIST 3/26/13 @ 866 790 5700 EXT. 32664 TOLD TO GET SECOND OPINION THEN COMPLETELY IGNORED BY GM FOR FOLLOW UPS. APRIL 1ST DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP FOUND CODE EVENT STORED IN TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FROM MARCH 15TH BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC WAS PRESENT, THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. MID APRIL 2013 BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING ON COMPRESSION. MID APRIL FRUSTRATED AND VERY CONCERNED WITH SAFETY CALLED 800 LEMON LAW FOUND ON LINE AND KIMMEL & SILVERMAN ADVISED GM / GM RESPONDED DISCLAIMING ISSUES. @ 28,429 MILES 5/21/13 FRONT ROTORS REPLACED AND REAR ROTORS RESURFACED. TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE FRACTURE FIX: PIPE INSULATION & ZIP TIE. 8/20/13 BRAKES PULSATING AGAIN & SPONGY - VIBRATION NOTED BY SERVICE BUT NOT ADDRESSED.BROUGHT TO SPECIALIST; RIGHT REAR ROTOR GROOVED & LEFT REAR HAD CHATTER MARKS. 8/29/13 WENT TO AMCO THEY FOUND 4 CODES IN TRUCK ON GM SCANNER WHICH DEALERSHIP DENIED THERE WERE ANY. SEPT. 2013 RECEIVED BULLETIN " THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR MAY CAUSE ENGINE TO RUN ROUGH ". GETTING NO-WHERE WITH GM OR DEALERSHIP AND FEARING FOR SAFETY IN OCT. 2013 I OPTED TO TRADE THE VEHICLE AT A GREAT LOSS AS IT WAS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. MIND YOU THIS WAS MY 2ND AVALANCHE - THE 1ST ONE I'D HAD A FRONT END ACCIDENT; AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED, FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT INJURED AND DEEMED THE PERFORMANCE ISSUES TO BE DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND TRADED INTO THIS NEW AVALANCHE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FOR ALL OF THIS AND HAVE LOST OVER $30,000 DUE TO GM NEGLIGENCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

6/9/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE ABS FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER FOR A NEW ABS BRAKE MODULE UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ABS BRAKE MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,500. UPDATED 4/21/15*CN UPDATED 04/23/15*JB

2/23/2015

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE BEGAN TO NOTICE WHEN SLOWING DOWN (FOOT OFF THE GAS AND COASTING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, OR BRAKE APPLIED) AT ANY AREA WHERE MY SPEED DECREASES TO LESS THAN 15 MPH THAT MY AVALANCHE WILL SEEM TO SORT OF LUNGE FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THIS I BELIEVED IT WAS RELATED TO ME AND IGNORED IT. THE NEXT COUPLE OF TIMES I EXPERIENCED THIS I THOUGHT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GAS OR ENGINE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS (WHO OWN THE SAME YEAR MODEL AVALANCHE AND SUBURBAN - THE SUBURBAN AND AVALANCHE ARE MADE FROM THE SAME FRAME/BODY/PARTS) AND THEY STATE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I MUST BE CAUTIOUS TO RIDE MY BRAKES AND BE READ TO HEAVILY APPLY THEM NOW WHEN TAKING AN OFF/ON RAMP AND VEHICLES ARE IN FRONT OF ME AS MY VEHICLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD BEFORE WITH VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I NOTICED HERE THAT (AT THE TIME OF THIS SUBMISSION) THAT TWO OTHER USERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME INCIDENT. I AM HOPING THAT MY REPORT HERE WILL HELP OPEN AN INVESTIGATION WITH CHEVROLET ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

9/14/2013

I OWN A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE LTZ AND AT TIMES WHEN THE TRUCK DOWN SHIFTS IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD. I REALLY NEED TO HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM POSSIBLY HITTING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME. IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME AND IT'S RATHER RANDOM. I FEEL THAT IS WORSE THEN IT HAPPENING ALL THE TIME BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT IT. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL, BUT I FEEL A FIX IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT AND IT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

11/15/2013

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

3 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE THE VEHICLE IDLED, THE STABLILITRAC AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,778.

8/3/2015

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AT IDLE WHEN ENGINE LIGHT, SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHTS ALL COME ON. UPON ACCELERATION, ONLY ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. WILL REPEAT AT LOWER IDLE.

3/24/2017

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SUSPENSION

3 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE CHANGING GEARS TO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE GEARS LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT STATED THEY EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V007000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE CROSS PIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

4/6/2016

JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 DAYS AGO AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME I BOUGHT THE CAR AS IS AND THERE'S THREE RECALLS ON IT AND THEY ARE THEY'RE REFUSING TO FIX WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED DO THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT AND JUST BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR AS IS

5/13/2019

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CHROME DOOR HANDLES FELL OFF.I READ THAT THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE CHROME HANDLES. *TR

9/21/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR, THE HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

2/18/2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

REFERENCE TO GM'S CAMPAIGN #14V827000. DEFECTIVE PART 14696/ REPLACEMENT PART 14912. THIS IS THE IGNITION SWITCH IN WHICH HAS CAUSED DEATHS, ETC. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED BEFORE INJURIES OCCUR. DUE TO THE MAGNITUDE OF GM'S RECALLS I AM AFRAID THE RECALL NOTICE WILL NOT BE ISSUED BEFORE CAUSING ME OR MY FAMILY BODILY INJURY. HOW CAN I GET THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE SWITCH ASAP? DEWEY BARBER CHEVROLET IS WITHIN 5 MILES OF MY HOME. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.

2/3/2015

JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 3 DAYS AGO AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME I BOUGHT THE CAR AS IS AND THERE'S THREE RECALLS ON IT AND THEY ARE THEY'RE REFUSING TO FIX WHAT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED DO THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT AND JUST BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR AS IS

5/13/2019

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TRAVELING AT 65MPH IN -25 DEGREES F, OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND STABILINK TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. DASH DISPLAY SAID VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND OUR ENGINE SHUT-DOWN. WE PULLED OVER ON A SNOWY HIGHWAY AND READ BLOGS AND FOUND OUR THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WOULD CRACK AND FAIL AT EXTREME COLD TEMP. WE STARTED VEHICLE AND IT RESET, BUT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED WITHIN 5 MILES. I FOUND A AUTO-ZONE IN PRINCETON, MINNESOTA AND BOUGHT PART AND REPLACED MYSELF. AS IT WAS NEW YEARS EVE NO GM ASSISTANCE WAS AVAILABLE. GM TELLS US THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT THEY FAILED TO NOTIFY US. ALSO TOLD US A DEALER WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE, BUT FAILED TO TELL US HOW TO GET TO A DEALER WITH THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM COMMON AT COLD TEMPERATURES. GM WAS DANGEROUSLY IRRESPONSIBLE BY NOT NOTIFYING US. THEY PUT US IN A BAD SITUATION IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPS. I FAIL TO SEE WHY THIS WASN'T A RECALL WHEN YOUR VEHICLE BASICALLY SHUTS DOWN. WE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REAR-ENDED OR SPUN IN A DITCH. THANKS TO BLOGS WITH NO HELP FROM GM, I FIXED THE PROBLEM MYSELF AT EXTREME COLD TEMP. GM WILL NOT COVER MY $190.00 FOR PART, NOT COUNTING STRESS,TIME AND LABOR. HOW CAN THEY SAY THEY VERIFIED WE RECEIVED NO NOTICE, BUT WOULD NOT COVER OUR COSTS. I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE DRIVERS PUT IN THIS SITUATION. THANKS GM.

1/5/2018

ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT PROBLEM - OIL PASSING THE O-RINGS ON THE PISTONS WHICH IS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND ONE CYLINDER OUT OF THE SEVEN NOT WORKING AT ALL. IT CAUSED 2 NEW SPARK PLUGS TO BREAK

3/2/2019

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

DASH HAS STARTED CRACKING EVERYWHERE. AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE HARD PLASTIC DASH, AFRAID IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY THAT IT WOULD SEND SMALL PIECES OF CRACKED HARD PLASTIC AS PROJECTILES. DASH IS ALSO CRACKED AROUND IN DASH SPEAKER, AND BEHIND INSTRUMENT PANEL.

9/6/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AROUND THE AIR BAG AND THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,273. UPDATED 05/18/16*LJ

12/23/2015

STEERING

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Vehicle sometimes without warning, would shut down.Yes its available for inspection. Its unsafe because of the element of surprise when suddenly finding out that the ability to control the vehicle is dangerously compromised. Specifically when trying to steer or brake effectively or even trying to get to a safe location. With no warning there is not much time to react to the situation. In spite of having a perfect driver score I become a threat to other drivers and pedestrians when my vehicle shuts down. I have had it looked at by two different local mechanics. After trying a few less expensive options its becoming more evident that its a faulty sensor. After checking to see about other owners with similar issues, I have learned that the crankshaft position sensor was often behind the problem. This is not to say, it is in my case. My point is that with it posing a safety risk why should these other owners and Im sure more to come and me have to respond after possibly being in a deadly accident when this has been a documented as an ongoing problem. As for the rest of the questions, no one other than a mechanic has looked at the vehicle. Some times there would be an indication message on the dash along with engine trouble light and nothing would happen. But most recently it twice shut down without any indicator message. Once was on the highway the other about two hundred yards before a railroad crossing.

12/22/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 223,000. Local authorities had been contacted.

4/23/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche?

The most reported complaint category for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche is AIR BAGS, with 55 owner reports. That is about 34% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY.

Are complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 78 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche severe?

78 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Chevrolet Avalanche: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
161
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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