2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year mostly write about two things: a passenger-side airbag recall that for years could not be completed because parts were unavailable, and a dashboard that cracks, often around the passenger airbag area and above the instrument cluster. Most complaints are filed between roughly 30,000 and 110,000 miles, and many describe the dash cracks appearing gradually and worsening over time. Scattered reports also cover electrical glitches, unintended acceleration, and a fuel system control module failure.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard, often near the passenger airbag

   • 36 complaints (47%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2021

   Owners report cracks forming at the corners of the passenger airbag panel, above the instrument cluster, and around the speaker and vent covers. Many say pieces break off or the panel rattles and flexes, and some describe sharp edges in the cabin. Dealers are reported to have quoted several hundred dollars or more for a replacement dash, and owners say the cracks returned after an earlier warranty replacement. Some also report the dash being damaged during a recall repair and being told it was already cracked beforehand. Reported from roughly 38,000 to 110,000 miles, with several owners saying cracks appeared before 60,000 miles and worsened over months or years.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash at both corners of the passenger airbag panel and above the gauge cluster for hairline cracks, and press lightly for flex or rattle. Ask whether the dash has ever been replaced and keep in mind a replacement is a paid repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have the same safety concern many other owners are having. My dashboard is cracked in multiple spots, mainly around the airbag and instrument cluster. I believe this would affect the airbag from deploying properly or send sharp pieces of the dashboard into the cabin if impacted. I have contacted GM several times with zero assistance or concern on their part.”

   NHTSA complaint #10762404, filed 2015-09, 60,000 miles

   “My dashboard has 2 cracks extending from each corner of the passenger air bag panel. I have seen hundreds of the same type of crackage and I believe that Chevrolet should send out a recall to repair all of the cracked dashboards. I believe that there maybe an issue if the passenger airbag deploys.”

   NHTSA complaint #11032606, filed 2017-10, 47,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Takata passenger airbag recall parts unavailable

   • 19 complaints (25%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2023

   Owners describe receiving recall notices for the passenger-side airbag inflator and then being told by dealers that the parts were not available, sometimes waiting years without a repair. Several say they were placed on waiting lists or advised to wait for another notification, with no firm date given. A few report that after a recall repair the airbag warning light stayed on, and that the dealer and manufacturer declined to address it. Others mention being told the airbag cannot be replaced without also replacing the cracked dashboard at their own expense. Not tied to mileage; complaints cluster from 2016 onward, as recall notices were mailed and parts remained on back order.

   Recall 21V050000Recall 21V053000Recall 21V0520002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the VIN against open recalls and ask for written proof that the passenger inflator recall was completed, including the campaign number. After any airbag work, confirm the airbag warning light goes out on startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall. I was told by the authorized GM dealership that the recall for my vehicle was for the passenger side airbag, but they cannot fix the problem because general motors has not released instructions to remedy the problem. They advised me to wait until I received further notification. I received a notice saying that takata had filed for bankruptcy and I needed to immediately schedule a repair with an authorized dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11035673, filed 2017-10, 88,000 miles

   “I keep getting told I have a takata airbag recall and Chevrolet tells me they aren't going to fix it. I don't know how to get it repaired. They say it's safe, but if it's safe why can't they get the airbag recall rescinded?”

   NHTSA complaint #11271686, filed 2019-10, 106,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on

   • 13 complaints (17%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2023

   Owners describe a red airbag warning light that stays lit after startup or switches on and off intermittently. Some connect it to cracks around the passenger airbag or to work done during a recall repair, and one was told by a mechanic that the bag would not deploy while the light is on. Dealers are reported to have called the diagnosis the owner's responsibility or said they had no knowledge of airbag issues on this platform. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 58,000 to 102,000 miles, and often after dashboard cracks or recall service.

   Recall 21V0520001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Watch the airbag light through a full startup and a short test drive; it should illuminate briefly and then go out. If it stays on, ask for a scan of the airbag system codes before agreeing on a price.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My dash cracked right by the airbag and has caused my airbag warning light to come on. Now my airbag warning light toggles between on and off. My dash continues to fall apart even with a dash mat covering it. I don't know if my airbag will deploy if needed. Plus I worry about shards of plastic hurting me or my family. Gm needs to do something. I don't know the exact day the crack showed up but I notice it in january 2017 while getting a stuffed animal out of the truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11030832, filed 2017-10, 80,000 miles

   “Instrument panel airbag warning light (red continuously on) illuminated. After first incident initial engine ignition start bit (built in test) clears airbag fault for no more than 1 minute every start sequence at which time it triggers a red dash warning icon light. I took vehicle to dealer who claimed necessary fix is owners responsibility and expense. They also declared they had no knowledge of chevy Avalanche or silverado airbag recalls or issues. I called GM customer service help line and lodged a complaint. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10722799, filed 2015-06, 73,800 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Intermittent electrical power loss and stalling

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 73,800 mi at 6.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2018

   Owners report episodes where interior lights flash, door locks cycle on their own, and engine power cuts in and out, sometimes at highway speed, with the vehicle surging when power returns. Some describe stability and traction control indicators toggling on and off during these events, and one truck stalled at speed and restarted on its own with all warning lights lit. Dealers are reported to have been unable to reproduce the problem, and one owner describes a cracked instrument cluster and faulty door lock actuators being repaired beforehand. Reported from about 30,000 to 91,000 miles, usually as short episodes rather than a permanent failure.

   Recall 10V2400003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the battery, ground connections and door lock actuators have been serviced, and whether any intermittent stall or no-crank concern was diagnosed. Have an independent shop scan for stored codes rather than relying on a short test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 10/13/2015 I took my Avalanche to galles Chevrolet , albuquerque, nm for repair of a cracked instrument cluster and faulty l/r door lock actuator. I picked it up on 10/15/2015. While parking the truck on 10/17/2015 I shut off the engine and suddenly there was no power to lock the locks with the key fob. It was as if the battery I had had replaced new about 6 weeks prior suddenly went dead. Then I heard a clicking noise in the doors/lock actuators and suddenly the battery power was restored. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10786178, filed 2015-10, 91,650 miles

   “Especially when ignition key switch is engaged it will stick and cause the starting motor to remain engaged requiring turning the switch back to off position then trying to restart the vehicle. Being careful not to hold the ignition switch key in the position necessary to engage the starter any longer than absolutely necessary to hear the engine fire then returning the key position to the run position seems to prevent the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10572811, filed 2014-03, 47,000 miles

Buying note. For this model year, the practical questions are whether the passenger airbag recall has actually been completed with documentation and whether the dashboard is cracked or has been replaced. Inspect the dash closely and check for airbag and stability control warning lights before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 59 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.