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2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

21 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

28 reports
34,256 miles · Feb 16, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower 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

NHTSA ODI #10683629

4,000 miles · Jan 1, 2015
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 BAD, BUT I HAVE TO PUT A QUART…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10669442

48,640 miles · Sep 2, 2014
Air BagsStructure

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 PROBL…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10630254

1,800 miles · May 23, 2014
Power TrainCrash

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10593573

30,000 miles · May 22, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle 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 WAS, BUT IT SEEMED TO ALMOST PEG…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10593395

88,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling

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 WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP? THERE ARE THO…

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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 WITHOUT LOOKING IT UP? THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON LINE ABOUT PROBLEM,BUT THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT.WIRING HARNESS REPLACED THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND CHECKED PEDDLE CHECKED STILL HAPPENS ,HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS. NO SOLUTION . I HAVE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY TO GET TO WORK ON OIL RIG,I'M AFRAID IT WELL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT .GM DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING PROBLEM AND DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451757

5,500 miles · Mar 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE E BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE E BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 03/28/12 *BF UPDATED 03/29/12

NHTSA ODI #10449962

70,680 miles · May 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE - PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES, TRUCK WON'T STOP AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION # PE05020, CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED NEW IN 2002. I WAS TOLD THE RECALL IS VIN # SPECIFIC, HOWEVER THE NHTSA ACTION DESCRIBES THE RECALL AS STATE SPECIFIC( I RESIDE IN AURORA, OHIO-SOUTHEASTERN SNOW BELT OF LAKE ERIE). …

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2002 CHEVY AVALANCHE - PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKES, TRUCK WON'T STOP AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACTION # PE05020, CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED NEW IN 2002. I WAS TOLD THE RECALL IS VIN # SPECIFIC, HOWEVER THE NHTSA ACTION DESCRIBES THE RECALL AS STATE SPECIFIC( I RESIDE IN AURORA, OHIO-SOUTHEASTERN SNOW BELT OF LAKE ERIE). THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE WORK DONE 2 YRS AFTER PURCHASE AND THE SERVICE AND REPAIR FORM STATED " REAR BRAKES CORRODED CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE ". MY COMPLAINT IS WHY WON'T CHEVY OR THE DEALER HONOR THIS RECALL WHEN IT STATES STATE SPECIFIC IN THE RECALL. LAST NIGHT DURING A SHORT TRIP, UNDER 20 MILES, THE BRAKES STARTED SMOKING WITH SEVERE PEDAL PULSATION. THE VEHICLE HAS 70,680 MILES AS OF TODAY-5/07/11. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399427

Official recalls

2

11V007000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Jan 6, 2011

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 & remedy

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.

10V643000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Dec 17, 2010

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.