2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  15%
• 50k–75k
  840%
• 75k–100k
  735%
• 100k–150k
  315%
• 150k+
  15%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The contact stated that upon picking up the vehicle from the dealer, he noticed that the dealer had fractured a portion of the dashboard close to the passenger's side air bag housing. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dashboard was fractured prior to the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist. A case was opened. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Consumer stated dealer installed new dash into the vehicle.

I purchased the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche new in October 2009. While in warranty I noticed the dashboard was cracking and took it to the dealer, Four Stars Auto, in Henrietta, Texas. At that time I was told they would order a new dash board and replace it. I took the truck in for replacement of the dash board on the scheduled date. After the truck was out of warranty the dash board cracked again in the same place. I suspect the dash was repaired and painted and not replaced, but I have no proof so I did not contact the dealer. Since that time I have learned this has been an issue with other owners of GM trucks and nothing can be done about it other than replacing the dash, which is a very expensive repair for someone that is retired and on a fixed income. My dash board has now cracked in at least four places and seems to be getting worse. …

The passenger side air bag was replaced under a current recall (N212328790) however, once they fixed the issue at Love Chevy (Inverness, FL), the air bag light stayed on. It has never shut off and after speaking with the dealership as well as Chevrolet, they refuse to fix the issue they caused. I do not know if the recall has actually been fixed. Additionally, I am unable to refuel appropriately due to another recall (that my vehicle apparently isn't a part of), however, based on the amount of people that have the same problem, it should be a wider issued recall. This is for Chevy recall # 08411 for the Fuel System Control Module. It affects the charcoal canister, along with purge value and corresponding lines. Depending on how bad, charcoal canister needs replacement, even possibly the lines, as well as the gas tank. Very expensive fix that Chevy refuses to address. …

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche. While the contact was making a left turn at an unknown speed, another vehicle crashed into the rear passenger door and wheel. The crash caused the axle to fracture on the contact's vehicle. The contact's child was in a booster seat and the rear passenger side air bag deployed, which trapped the child's head. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The contact's husband had to cut the air bag in order to free the child. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The insurance company had not determined if the vehicle was totaled. The cause of the air bag failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was unknown.

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. Case number with GM is 71-148283766. GM stated that they did not feel responsible for the issue. Both the 2007-08 Chevy silverado's' as well as the 2011 plus Chevy avalanches are all under dot Takata airbag recalls. The 2009 Chevy Avalanche is a growth product of the Chevy 2008 silverado!!! I believe I am one of the Takata airbag customers!!

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced independent deceleration and stalled while driving 75 MPH. The stabilitrak warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The senior adviser informed the contact that GMC was planning to rescind the recall for the Takata air bags. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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. Over the past months, the cracks have gotten worse to the point there is a hole in the dash from the shaking while I driving and nothing being secure.

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.

Cracked, broken dashboard. Cracked in 2 corners of the passenger air bag. Crack goes all the way across to the drivers side. A section around the speaker has completely broke off. Cruise control no longer workers. Some speakers work sometimes, other times other ones work. Makes horrible rattling sound. Dealership says won't cover it and a new dash is over $800 for parts.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Avalanche years