2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Problems
Compared with other Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years
Typical for this model
56/100 1.2× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.2× that of a typical Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 3 of its 28 complaints were filed by the end of 2013.
- Most reported part: Air bags (11 complaints, median 65,000 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2008, 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500. The part named most often is air bags, with 11 complaints (39% of the total), followed by other or unknown (11) and electrical system (4). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 342 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 44 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 56 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags11 39%
- Other or unknown11 39%
- Electrical system4 14%
- Body and structure4 14%
- Engine3 11%
- Vehicle speed control2 7.1%
- Brakes1 3.6%
- Engine cooling1 3.6%
Example complaints
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 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11022238, filed 2017-09, 110,000 milesOther or unknown: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10760622, filed 2015-09, 43,000 milesElectrical system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593395, filed 2014-05, 30,000 milesBody and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10895183, filed 2016-08, 33,028 milesMileage when problems were reported
48% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 34,256 and 80,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalanche 1500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Avalanche 1500 4WD | 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V007000Jan 6, 2011Suspension › Rear › Axle › SpindleCovers: Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 2011, GMC Sierra 1500 2011, Chevrolet Tahoe 2011 +11 more
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…
- 10V643000Dec 17, 2010Suspension › Rear › Axle › SpindleCovers: Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 2011, GMC Sierra 1500 2011, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2011 +1 more
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…
Recall details for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 342 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027698Jan 16, 2026Other or unknown. This PI Communications information on an alternative product dealers can use to perform 19-NA-255: Wax Coating on Frame Peeling, Metal Shows Corrosion/Rusting due to issue with getting product from…
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This 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…
Other model years of the Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 29 | 49,688 | 1 | — | 17 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 16 | 62,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 28 | 50,000 | 2 | — | 17 | 56 · Typical | Stable |
| 2010 | 6 | 112,500 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 20 | 72,500 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 37 | 50,000 | 0 | — | 16 | 40 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 113 | 73,000 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 39 | 84,000 | 1 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 129 | 62,450 | 1 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 144 | 79,500 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 182 | 89,000 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 154 | 97,500 | 0 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 11 complaints (39% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 11.
Has the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 (Avalanche 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 34,256 and 80,000 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.