2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
The Verdict
The 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche has 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (67 complaints) and body (63 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 63/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Avalanche, consider the 2012 model year which has 66% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2012 has 66% fewer complaints
View the 2012 Chevrolet Avalanche dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn, there was a loud banging sound coming from under the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed. The contact believed that failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V643000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
The structure that holds the rear differential and axle to the frame rusted through and broke off from both sides so the whole rear axle unit broke loose and pulled back so the drive shaft pulled loose and the rear tires were rubbing on the fenders. If this happened at highway speeds I don’t know what might have happened. The vehicle was towed to a welding shop to see if it can be repaired. It has not been inspected. If it can not be repaired the vehicle will have to be junked. There was no warning that this would happen.
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.
February of 2021 I was notified the driver side air bag in my truck I drive daily has an issue that if goes off can cause serious injury or death. that as 6 months ago and still no path forward to fix it, how safe it this for me to drive is death is an option? I feel this would be a concern for drivers and the companies doing more to prevent something if a part cannot be secured. Maybe start offering deals to accept the trade ins so your customer doesn't have to drive around an unsafe vehicle because of supply issues? This needs to be addressed so something silly can be avoided.
Was advised of the recall of my vehicle on Feb 26th 2021 and that the part to fix the problem was not available it is now six months later and have heard nothing and don,t know how log they expect people to wait with a faulty part to be repaired.
DASHBOARD HAS 5 LARGE CRACKS 4 LATERAL AN 1 VERTICAL TOP FRONT SPEAKER HAS FALLEN OFF CLIPS.VEHICLE DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING WHILE JUST SITTING OVER TIME AND WHILE DRIVING ROAD VIBRATION HELP CRACKING CONTINUE I'M AFRAID THAT WITH THE CRACKING SINCE IT IS IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA AS WELL IT COULD CAUSE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY CAUSING MORE DAMAGE INJURIES TO PASSENGER OR A WRECK BY SUDDENLY GOING OFF AND CAUSING DRIVER TO SWERVE SUDDENLY.
DASH HAS SEVERAL LARGE CRACKS AND IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE WITH TIME
I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL NOTICES ABOUT HAVING THE AIR BAGS REPLACED BUT THE LOCAL CHEV DEALER TELLS ME WHEN THEY GET THE PARTS THEY WILL CALL ME. WHEN WILL THE PARTS BE READY?
PURCHASED A USED 2011 CHEVY AVALANCHE WITH 87,000 MILES ONE OWNER FROM A SMALL DEALERSHIP. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOTICED IT SHUDDERING WHEN PULLING ANY KIND OF GRADE. THINKING IT WAS SOME KIND OF MISFIRE HAD ALL THE PLUGS CHANGED ONLY TO FIND THAT IT ALSO HAD AN OIL FILE PROBLEM WITH 1 OF THE CYLINDERS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER IT WAS AROUND 1500-2000 RPMS. IF I WOULD GIVE IT MORE GAS IT MADE IT PAST THE 2,000 RPMS AND WOULD SHIFT WITH NO PROBLEMS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW TOAST AS IT GAVE OUT COMPLETELY AND NEEDS REPLACED. NO WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND MADE ME AWARE OF A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM. AFTER READING MORE I AM SEEING THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SOMETHING THAT GM HAS NOT FULLY TAKEN CARE OF AS STATED WITH OLDER MODELS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE ROADWAY WHILE NEARING THE TOP OF A HILL. IT JUST WENT COMPLETELY INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD JUST REV THE ENGINE. THE TRUCK WAS CARRYING 3 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD SAFELY. CURRENTLY THE TRUCK HAS 89,995 MILES ON IT. I ONLY PUT APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES ON IT SINCE PURCHASE.
UNABLE TO GET RECALL HELP OR SUPPORT TO FOR TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL SERVICE
DASHBOARD IS CRACKED BY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON 2007 TO 2013 TAHOES, SUBURBANS, SILVERADO'S, AND AVALANCHE'S WITH THIS ISSUE. SHOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY THE CRACKING PLASTIC COULD BE A HAZARD.
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. I RECEIVED THE CHEVROLET RECALL, I WENT TO DO THE AIRBAG REPAIR AND THEY INFORM ME THAT THE COMPANY THAT MAKES IT HAS GONE BANKRUPT AND THERE IS NO REPAIR. THEY ALSO INFORM ME THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO USE THE VEHICLE SINCE THE AIRBAG CAN CAUSE DAMAGE. WHAT I CAN DO?
MY DASH KEEPS CRACKING, I HAD IT REPLACED ONCE IN 2015 AND NOW 2020 (BEEN CRACKED FOR 3 YEARS NOW) BOTH PIECES ARE ALL CRACKED WITH HOLE IN THE CENTER OF DASH. SEEMS LIKE THE SUN DRIES OUT THE PLACE WHERE IT SCREWS IN. THE SCREWS/BOLTS FALL OFF AND DASH JUST BOUNCES ALL OVER ANDA STARTS CRACKING. CALL THE SAME DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REDONE. THEY TOLD ME $350 PLUS LABOR.
DASH BOARD IS CRACKING AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAGS STARTED AS SMALL SPOT NOW WITH THE HEAT IT HAS GOTTEN BIGGER AND CONNECTING TO OTHER CRACKS
CRACKS IN DASHBOARD BY AIRBAG. OTHER CRACKS DEVELOPING IN DASHBOARD AS WELL.
DASH CRACKED ALL ON TOP.
OPEN RECALL ON AIRBAG GM SAYS NO REMEDY YET. WHAT DO I DO.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WAS FRACTURED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAN VADEN BRUNSWICK CHEVROLET CADILLAC (121 ALTAMA CONNECTOR, BRUNSWICK, GA 31525, (912) 265-3540), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT THE SAME DEALER AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER: 9-5453255979. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
154 total