Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 21% | 56,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 19% | 62,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 39% | 80,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 67% | 130,000 miles |
| 2009 | 9 | 45% | 107,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 43% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 49 | 43% | 92,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 18% | 64,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 8% | 65,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 8% | 117,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 7% | 78,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% | 106,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The dash cracked overnight. There are now two big cracks in the dash of the vehicle, one on passenger side just above the airbag and another on the driver side, just to left of center above the main gauge cluster. I have read online that this is a known issue by general motors for the 2013 Avalanche, as well as other models from that year and the few years previous. This vehicle is kept in the garage, has never been off road or been wrecked in any way. The dash itself is only wiped down with a damp cloth when truck is washed, and never has chemicals used on it. When the truck is not in the garage, a sun visor shield is placed in the front window at all times. This is a big safety issue, due to the fact that is compromises the integrity of the air bag and also can allow for flying debris in the case of an accident.
At +/-83000 miles the dash developed a crack leading into the passenger air bag housing. It also is broken and, when driving, loosely vibrating between the instrument panel and the passenger air bag housing. Given the dangers associated with air bags, this is a clear and present danger to anyone in the vehicle.
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. Chevy has acknowledged this is an issue yet refuses to repair or replace unless they are forced to in a recall.
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.
Takata recall -- my dashboard is cracked, I fear for all of us that have cracked dashboards around our airbags. The speed at which these airbags deploy could easily turn these broken pieces into shrapnel.
Cracks in dash cover around air bag and over instrument cluster. No hard road hits, no junk on the dash. Heard a rattle, looked up there and found the cracks. Thousands of incidents across internet. Seat tracks rough sliding and motor failure. Outside mirror motor failure. I am the only driver and dont move seats much. Lack of use kills motors? Rear window leaking water due to plastic frame shrinking, cracking and leaving a gap. Only took the window out once before finding it leaking 2 years later due to the plastic frame shrink and crack. Door handles paint falling off in flakes. Fronts replaced by dealer at 17K. 38K rear handles started doing it. Dealers unwilling to do anything after 36K. 78K on truck now, making last 575.00 payment this month and truck needs thousands in repairs. …
My truck has 2 major cracks on the dash that just appeared within the last 6 months. I have owned the vehicle since July 2013. One is right in front of the drivers seat on the dash and cracks from my display behind my steering wheel all the way to the windshield. The second crack in the dash is in front of the passengers seat and runs into the airbag. All GM model SUV/trucks from 2007-2013 are having the same problem! I do not understand why GM will not recall this issue. If either of my air bags have to deploy, we could get killed by the sharp cracked shards busting out of the dash and stabbing us. I bought this specific vehicle when my first born son was 1 month old because I was driving a little Honda civic and wanted something safer for my child. Now he is 2 1/2 and I also have a second son now that just turned 6 months. …
Takara recall. On 7/11/18 I was in a head on car accident and front air bags s did not deploy, truck was driving 35mph when another truck pulled out into my lane and I hit him very hard , police noticed and asked several times if airs bags deployed and they did not
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (49), 2008 (16), 2003 (12), 2004 (12) and 2011 (11) model years. Airbag complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (4 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.