2010 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche most often report cracks developing in the upper dashboard, frequently near the passenger airbag opening and above the instrument cluster, and many say the cracks grow over time. A second recurring theme in the sample is a sudden reduced-engine-power mode with the check engine, traction control and StabiliTrak lights, sometimes leaving the truck unable to accelerate normally. Both types of complaints appear across a wide mileage range, roughly from the 30,000s into the 100,000s.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Cracked dashboard near airbag and gauge cluster

   • 64 complaints (58%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (53 state mileage)
   • filed 2013–2024

   Complaints describe cracks appearing in the plastic upper dash, most often at the corners of the passenger airbag opening and in the hump above the instrument cluster, sometimes with pieces broken out or sharp edges exposed. Many owners say the crack spread from a small line to a long split, and some note rattling or movement of the dash over bumps. Several owners report dealers declined to cover replacement or offered only partial assistance, and some were told sun exposure was the cause. Reported from about 30,000 miles upward, with many complaints in the 45,000-75,000 mile range and some past 100,000 miles; owners describe cracks appearing while parked and worsening over time.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dash closely at both airbag corners and above the gauge cluster for hairline cracks or loose pieces, and press lightly on the panel to feel for movement. Ask whether the dash has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My transmission when taking off fast sound like it's in neutral and then when I let off the fast it goes in gear. Also my dash board is cracking and found be a serious airbag issue. I've seen hundreds of complaints about this and a recall hasn't been issued. The recall needs to be issued so I could be fixed asap. This is a serious hazard.!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #11120938, filed 2018-08, 102 miles

   “The dash of my 2010 Avalanche is cracked near the passenger airbag. This crack appeared overnight while the vehicle was parked in my driveway. Now the center center connection of the dash panel has cracked as well creating distracting noises. Most importantly, the cracked piece around the airbag area could become a sharp projectile if the airbag is deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10807853, filed 2015-12, 55,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Delayed or no airbag inflator remedy under recall

   • 27 complaints (24%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2020

   A number of complaints are about recall paperwork rather than a failure: owners say they were notified of a passenger frontal airbag inflator recall but were told the replacement part was not available, or that the remedy status had not been updated. Several owners describe repeated dealer visits where no remedy could be performed, and some connect their concern to fractures at the passenger airbag compartment cover. Filed mainly from 2017 through 2020, with no consistent mileage pattern; some vehicles had no failure reported at all.

   Recall 21V050000Recall 21V053000Recall 21V054000

   What to check: Check the VIN with a dealer or the NHTSA recall lookup to confirm whether the passenger frontal airbag inflator campaign has actually been completed, not just announced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Thus far, nothing has happened with my vehicle, but there has been a recall in effect for the airbags in my vehicle for well over a year and nothing has been done to replace the airbags. I am also having some electrical problems with my truck not shutting off when I remove the key, and the interior dome lights will not turn on when the button is pressed (this has all began since the recall was initiated but not taken care of). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11043706, filed 2017-11, 65,000 miles

   “This recall has been pending since gmc filed a petition for inconsequentiality with NHTSA. The status provided to owners is information which hasn't been updated since 2017. It's almost 2021. This is ridiculous. What was bhtsa's decision on the petition filed in 2017?”

   NHTSA complaint #11360376, filed 2020-09, 75,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Reduced engine power with warning lights

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2020

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on along with a reduced engine power message, service traction control and service StabiliTrak, after which the truck will not accelerate normally and may be limited to low speed. Several complaints say the dealer traced it to the accelerator pedal position sensor and replaced it, in some cases more than once, and some owners report the condition returning after repair. Typically reported between roughly 37,000 and 100,000 miles, and in some cases within a few minutes of starting the engine or while driving at speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal position sensor has been replaced and whether any stored codes were cleared; have a scan tool check for pending powertrain codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was on vacation and had my Avalanche running while I packed it up to return home. After about 5 minutes of running idle, the check engine light came on and the display showed reduced engine power, service traction control, and service stabilitrak. This had happened to the truck three times before and each time they replaced the accelerator pedal positional sensor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10630027, filed 2014-09, 46,000 miles

   “After I purchase the car brand new in 2010 under my brother in law's name, I have probably fix the car 5 times for engine power reduce, stabilitrak and all every service lights at the dealer but it had happen again on highway again yesterday, saw that GM recall car on feb 13 for faulty ignition switch for losing power and its happening to chevy Avalanche too. One worst case was in 2011 driving to maryland at 12 midnight on highway the speed dropped to 30mph. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10569459, filed 2014-03, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Stalling, gauge fluttering and erratic electrical behavior

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2024

   Complaints describe gauges sweeping up and down, the radio cutting out, door locks cycling on their own, and the engine stalling or refusing to engage a gear, sometimes at highway speed. In one case a dealer replaced modulators but the same behavior returned soon after; another owner reports the engine not shutting off when the key was removed. Reported from very low mileage up to about 111,000 miles, sometimes while driving at speed.

   What to check: Test that the ignition key cycles cleanly, all gauges read steadily and door locks behave normally during a test drive; ask whether any body control or wiring repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am very disasified with the way the issue has been handled. I drive a 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche ltz with 111,000 miles on it. I purchased this vehicle in 2005 with 38,000 miles. A year later during the summer time I began to have electrical issues (while in motion vehicle guages start spazzing out going up and down, radio cuts in and out, door locks cycle up and down and vehicle stalls, doesnt seem to accelerate and shift into second gear. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11203913, filed 2019-04, 60,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while driving approximately 80 to 85 MPH, he noticed that the door locks began to open and close, the RPM's reached 1,000, and the vehicle suddenly shifted into first gear until it decreased to a normal speed. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised him that they would replace two modulators. The vehicle was repaired; however, within an hour of leaving the dealer the identical failure occurred. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10410067, filed 2011-06, 8,000 miles

Buying note. The dashboard cracking is the most commonly raised point in these complaints, so inspect the upper dash carefully and factor possible replacement cost into any offer. Also confirm the status of the airbag inflator recall for the specific VIN, and check for stored powertrain codes tied to the reduced-engine-power reports.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.