CarRecallDB

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls and problems

3 recalls and 127 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche.

3
recalls
127
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 21V050000 · reported February 5, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 2,641,272 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 21V054000 · reported February 5, 2021 · General Motors, LLC · 1,778,128 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

Electrical system: ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V827000 · reported December 30, 2014 · General Motors LLC · 84,192 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
The risk
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 23, 2025 · Electrical system · 223,000 miles

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…

Feb 13, 2025 · Suspension · 101,000 miles

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…

Jul 24, 2022 · Structure

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…

Dec 22, 2021 · Service brakes

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…

Aug 17, 2021 · Air bags

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…

Avalanche model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2008 425873
2009 57641
2010 311100
2011 312720
2012 33620
2013 28220

Across all years, the 2002 Avalanche has the most complaints (444). All Chevrolet Avalanche years →

Questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche, the most recent reported on February 5, 2021 (Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche?
Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (55 complaints), followed by unknown or other (44).
How many 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 127 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 1 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 23, 2025.