VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 sits mid-pack among Avalanche 1500 years: 43 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 56, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Other leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (26% of the total).

43

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Avalanche 1500 years?

Avalanche 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted213 complaints2002: 185 complaints2003: 213 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 153 complaints2006: 63 complaints2007: 142 complaints2008: 49 complaints2009: 27 complaints2010: 7 complaints2011: 43 complaints2012: 20 complaints2013: 38 complaints
Avalanche 1500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalanche 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1126%
Other1126%
Electrical System716%
Engine49%
Body & Structure49%
Transmission37%
Speed Control25%
Brakes12%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V007000SuspensionJanuary 6, 2011 · 30,566 units

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.

Consequence

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.

10V643000SuspensionDecember 17, 2010 · 1,262 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 5, 2017

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 12, 2014

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 2, 2018

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2018

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 9, 2016

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Avalanche 1500: 43 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Avalanche 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (11 complaints), airbags (11 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalanche 1500 years to avoid are 2003, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007. The cleanest record among Avalanche 1500 years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.