2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Avalanche 1500 › 2011
These records cover every 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Remedy
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
28 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · 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.
- Air bags · 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Unknown or other
Dash IS cracked on driver and passenger side.
- 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…
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.
- Air bags · 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
- Air bags · 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…
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."
- 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
- 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.
- Unknown or other
The dashboard above the instrument cluster has cracked.
- Unknown or other
Dashboard cracking (major) next to airbag and instrument cluster
- Air bags · Unknown or other
Dash IS cracked around the air bag area
- Air bags · 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.
- Unknown or other
Dashboard IS cracking at passenger side airbag.
- Air bags
Crack in dashboard by passenger airbag
- Unknown or other
Dashboard cracking in mutiple places and around air bag as well
- Air bags · Unknown or other
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…
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.
- Unknown or 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 epidemic exactly the same location fleet wide. gm charging $300 to repair for their own manufacturing defect.
- Structure › Body
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
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Engine · Power train
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 vehicle. *tr
- Engine
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…
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 bad, but I have to put a quart of oil in it every 3,000 miles. A vehicle using synthetic oil should go about 7,500 miles or more. That means two quarts oil between changes. they claim with general motors that IS acceptable. I have never owned a new vehicle where I had to add oil before and due oil change. the same vehicle has so much wind noise coming in around the doors or windows it IS hard to hear the radio. My complaint to the dealer their answer was ? There isn?t a bulletin on this. that means they don?t know what to do, or won?t. and didn?t do a thing. *js
- Air bags · Structure
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…
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 that most experience this problem about 24-48 months after new vehicle ownership, this IS clearly a manufacturer problem and a safety problem! #1 if the airbag deploys either from necessity or randomly due to the structure of the dashboard being compromised, the dashboard could break apart into small sharp pieces that could be like "shrapnel" and cause severe injury or worse! #2 since the structure IS compromised, what IS the written documentation that there are no safety factors that need to be addressed if the airbag does randomly deploy while driving?! in this instance, it could also result in injury or death should a driver be startled at the unwarranted deployment of the airbag and swerve the vehicle or worse, my dealership, kuni of sacramento was only willing to repair if I paid a portion of the cost, and gm paid a portion. This IS clearly a manufacturer problem; therefore, why should I pay any portion of the repair cost? I also noticed that most that paid for their repairs had recurrence of the same problem within 24 months or less!!!! #1 a consumer should not have to pay repairs for manufacturer problems and, #2 if the dealership and or gm IS unwilling to provide this "at no cost to consumer service " and they state the vehicle IS safe, then a written guarantee that this airbag will not deploy randomly while driving the vehicle, then a written statement must be provided to all of us as consumers of gm products by general motors, inc! *tr
- 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…
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. *tr
- Electrical system · Power train · Vehicle speed control
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…
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 was, but it seemed to almost peg for a few seconds while this was going on. Finally I jammed the transmission into neutral and the engine returned to normal idle. I say jammed because it took great strength to get it out of drive. for about 10-15 seconds this truck was totally out of my control. I drove away and parked for a few minutes to gather myself as I was visibly shaken..i was thankful that no one was in front of me in at burger king or that I was not in a parking lot somewhere where someone could have been injured or killed. I had brought this vehicle in more than once to the dealer (rk chevrolet) and complained about the transmission not shifting properly and was always told they could not find a problem. After reporting this they decided to put a device to monitor the computer. I drove around with this for about 3 months and nothing happened and they said the data collected was inconclusive. Since the truck had just went out of warranty they said they could not do anymore. This IS totally unacceptable. *tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11011805This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11011782This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel.
- 11011709This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011205This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010545This service bulletin provides information on key code security rules and information on GM keycode look-up applications (U.S).
- 11010544This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010491This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information for GM courtesy transportation and roadside assistance programs.
- 11010490This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 11010421This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11009764This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
- 11009756This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and information on Submission of Warranty Transaction in Global Warranty Management.
- 11009532This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009531This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009156This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
- 11009088This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
- 11009039This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information, proper labor operation selection and causal part identification for warranty transactions (U.S. Only).
- 11008956This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
- 11008906This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
- 11008898The bulletin provides direction on how to locate the Temporary Service Part (TSP) form in GlobalConnect.
- 11007936This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
- 11007935This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on diagnosis and replacement of shock absorber and strut due to fluid leak.
- 11007744This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 11007743This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
- 11007208This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
- 11007196This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
- 11007121This bulletin provides information on Engine Concerns that could result from lack of scheduled maintenance, improper service or aftermarket calibrations.
- 11007116This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11007115This service bulletin provides information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement.
- 11007095This bulletin provides information on the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Licensed Brands and the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel Licensed Brands that are recommended for use in all GM vehicles and the TOP TIER FUELS website URL.
- 11007091This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 11006682This service bulletin provides information on a guide to help reduce repeat visits for the same customer concern.
- 11006670This service bulletin advises about the possible issues that may occur when using a scotch brite pad or highly abrasive disk on gasket sealing surfaces or reused parts.
- 11006644This Warranty Administration service bulletin provides information for dealers/Service advisors on when and how to submit a Pre-Repair Authorization (PRA).
- 11006621Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
- 11006511This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 11006421GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
- 11006278This service bulletin describes the U.S. Dealer Special Tool Loan Program process.
- 11006274This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the customer the specification for speedometer needle accuracy is +/- 2 MPH at any given speed when looking straight at the needle.
- 11005311This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11004761This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
Every Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.