Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had an auto accident that totaled my vehicle (2013 Chevy Avalanche). It was t-boned by the other vehicle with significant damage from the front quarter panel to the rear quarter panel. All on the driver's side. NONE of the airbags deployed in my vehicle. The other vehicle that hit me had all of the air bags deployed. I had my passenger airbag replaced, based on a manufacturers recall, this past summer 09/26/2025 at a certified Chevy dealer. At that time, they said everything was replaced that needed to be and confirmed that everything was working. Because NONE of the airbags deployed in my vehicle, I sustained minor injuries, i.e. cuts, bruises, etc. and my passenger sustained minor injuries as well, i.e. bruises and neck pain. At the time of the accident, there were no warning lights or messages related to air bags. …
In December of 2020 we took our vehicle cannon dealership,the 2013 avalanche had a recall to repair a part for the takata air bag,on January 17,2022 we had and accident, some one pulling a cow hauling trailer pull out in front of us and we hit into the cow trailer,and the air bags didn't deploy.we got injured,and we are still under the doctor,we had $9000 worth of damage,would have been worse if my husband hadn't hit brakes and we were sliding all across the highway we just couldn't avoid hitting the cow hauling trailer thanks Barbara hill.
I received a letter back in Feb of 2021 advising us about the passenger airbag recall. I was to wait until parts come in from GM. After months of waiting, and confirmation of others that already got the repair done, I went ahead and scheduled the recall replacement with GM themselves, which in turn set it up with Ron Norris GMC in town. Even though I set this up a couple weeks ago and have received text and email confirmations reminding me of the appointment, I just received a call from Ron Norris, I was on the way to their dealership to have this recall taken care, telling me GM does not have the part for my truck and did not give me any more information about it. This is a serious issue and I have given them plenty of time to have it replaced. …
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V054000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that there was no expected time frame for parts availability. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number 21V053000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
There is crack from the edge of the airbag across the dash to the defroster. I've researched this and discovered it could potentially send shrapnel if the airbags are deployed. I've contacted my dealership and they said it is not a covered part under the extended warranty. I've also contacted Chevrolet directly to see if they would fix this issue. I just heard back from them and they said they will not rectify the issue. I didn't witness the crack happening so I couldn't elaborate on whether the vehicle was in motion or just parked.
The dash is cracked at multiple places including up to the airbag. I was told by the people who repairs windshield that this is a know problem for Avalanche, silverado suburban. This is clearly a manufacturer defect and should be a recall they are quoting me a $1497 repair fee to replace the dash at the dealer. I contacted Chevrolet for assistance. They offered a $130 good will....
I'm not exactly sure when it started, but it was fine this summer (I estimated 11/10/18 below). The dashboard has cracked in two spots - drivers side near instrument panel hump, and passenger side near airbag. The cracks are continuing to get larger and the dashboard has stated to vibrate and rattle. I am concerned about a safety hazard in an accident.
Rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel,fixed when car was under warranty, was told it was the air bag. Rubbing sound has returned. Also there are several cracks in the dashboard, which could be hazardous if the airbags were to deploy during a front end collision.
Instrument panel (dashboard) cracked at airbag. Upon deployment shrapnel from dash panel could enter passenger compartment causing injury.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Avalanche years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, 27% of the model year's 82 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-053 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-054 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.