2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 39%of 28 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, 39% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“Safety issue. Dash is cracking near airbag. This could possibly cause premature deployment of airbag or shrapnel from dash causing harm during deployment. Dash is also cracking over steering wheel area.”
NHTSA complaint #11155619, filed 2018-12, 80,000 miles“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! …”
NHTSA complaint #10630254, filed 2014-09, 48,640 miles“Dashboard has cracked into multiple pieces around and behind the instrument cluster and near the airbag. Numerous calls with chevy have failed to resolve the problem and chevy refuses to guarantee, in writing, that the airbag will still discharge properly in an accident and remain seated properly and that the radio will not dislodge from the dash. This vehicle is well maintained and has approximately 51k miles on it. This is a huge safety concern and is a common issue with all vehicles with the same dash made from 2009-2013. …”
NHTSA complaint #10820276, filed 2016-01, 48,500 miles“Takata recall - my airbag is under recall and I contacted my dealer who does not have a replacement or knows nothing about how I can get a new part. I am fearful to drive the vehicle. Takata”
NHTSA complaint #11039208, filed 2017-10Related service bulletins
- 10252974Apr 5, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
- 10251345Feb 26, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735,15040, 15041, 15043,15044, 15045, 15046…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 21% |
| 2012 | 3 | 19% |
| 2011 | 11 | 39% |
| 2010 | 4 | 67% |
| 2009 | 9 | 45% |
| 2008 | 16 | 43% |
| 2007 | 49 | 43% |
| 2006 | 7 | 18% |
| 2005 | 10 | 8% |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% |
| 2003 | 12 | 7% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
11 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology