2008 Chevrolet Avalanche Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  511%
• 25k–50k
  49%
• 50k–75k
  1226%
• 75k–100k
  1123%
• 100k–150k
  919%
• 150k+
  613%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently without the vehicle being involved in a crash. The passenger's side air bag also deployed and shattered the passenger's side windshield. The contact pulled over safely and then the side curtain air bag on the driver's side deployed. The contact was aware that the "Service Air Bags" light would intermittently flash on and off; however, the warning light was not illuminated at time of the air bag deployments. Additionally, the passenger's side curtain air bag had also deployed. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

"Takata recall" I have not received a recall notice nor has this problem been fixed. I had front end damage to my truck at about 40 MPH and the air bags did not deploy. I was traveling on an highway. By not deploying May have been a good thing. I would like for Chevrolet to correct this asap.

I own a 2008 Chevy Avalanche that has the dashboard cracking by the airbag and above the dashboard cluster which is going to resul in someone getting seriously injured or even lost of a life (deaf). While driving on a rough road a section of the dash broke from being cracked striking me in my face next to my left eye. If not have reacted in urgent moment the dashboard piece that broke from the dash would have struck me in the eye and could have caused me to loose my eye. I contacted GM coporate office about the problem and was told not there problem. U guys really need to recall this defect urgent as possible because the next owner with a cracked dashboard might not be as lucky as I where May loose there eye or even there life. …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V383000 (air bags). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the dashboard fractured near the passenger air bag compartment and near the instrument panel, closer to the windshield. The contact had not notified the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the fractures on the dashboard as well as the recall repair not being performed. The manufacturer offered to have the dealer repair the dashboard; however, they were unable to provide a remedy for the recall. The manufacturer was also not able to provide an estimated time frame for the remedy. The dashboard was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. …

I received an important legal " Takata recall"notice that my 2008 Chevy Avalanche is involved in a recall for my airbags. I was instructed to log on to airbags .org. I registered my vehicle . I was instructed to contact a local auto nation Chevy dealership.. It took them all day to get back with me that as of now GM has not come to a decision as on how to deal with airbags recall. I expressed my concern because that recal notice I received was pretty confident that they needed to be replaced. GM service mgr.told me I need not be too concerned. I'm very concerned with there nonchalant attitude. Please lett me know what my options are please. Thank you, ps my airbags haven't deployed but my concern is that they have been known to self deploy for no apparent reason.

Coming home from lacrosse practice with my two sons, we hit a 900 lb cow running across the main road at night. Crushed front end all the way to windshield, very violent blow. We traveling approx. 45 MPH at night on a dark road. I received neck, back injuries, vision problems along with soreness in my spine and back. My first son in the front his head hit the dashboard while he was holding his head with his hands. He then was snapped back violently at his head on the back of the seat. First son has head and neck injuries and also is suffering from headaches and also blurry vision. Second son in rear, busted his lip and suffered whiplash and headaches as well. They have been advised to miss lacrosse indefinitely.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received an unknown recall notice for the Takata air bags. The dealer (antelope valley Chevrolet, 1160 motor ln, lancaster, ca 93534) was contacted in March of 2017 and stated that there were no parts available to remedy the recall. In September of 2017, the dealer stated that there were still no parts available. The vehicle was involved in a crash while driving approximately 45 MPH. The front end of the vehicle was impacted and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was repaired by the contact. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact contacted the dealer nick crivelli Chevrolet - address: 294 state ave, beaver, pa 15009, phone: [phone]) where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bags warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I have had 5 avalanches 3 07s 2 08s all have dash cracking issues the breaking dashes crack cause glare in drivers eyes noises that can take focus off the road every one I've owned it's happened GM used a proprolyene dash that gets brittle when introduced to heat. This is known by GM as a defect but u guys have not enforced them to fix it's a extremely expensive fix labor is high and I'm 5 for 5 on cracking dashes. 3 have cracked so bad that when the sun hit them they throw glare toward my eyes. It needs to be addressed this is crappy. Just like GM and the crappy Cadillac srx headlights they know it's a defect then fix it

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Avalanche years