Chevrolet Avalanche years to avoid (and the best years)

356 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls across 4 model years, 2010 to 2013. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

356complaints
6recalls
6reported crashes
0reported fires
10reported injuries

Which Chevrolet Avalanche years should you avoid?

No Chevrolet Avalanche model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Chevrolet Avalanche year has 96 complaints on file.

What are the best Chevrolet Avalanche years?

The Chevrolet Avalanche years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2012 (36), 2013 (82) and 2010 (111). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2013	82	0.8×	2	2	6	Few red flags	Airbags
2012	36	0.4×	3	2	2	Few red flags	Airbags
2011	127	1.3×	3	2	1	Few red flags	Airbags
2010	111	1.2×	4	0	1	Few red flags	Airbags

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 238 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Airbags & seat belts110 (46%)
Other systems55 (23%)
Structure & body36 (15%)
Engine & powertrain18 (8%)
Electrical & infotainment13 (5%)

Recalls (6)

Airbags · 21V053000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V054000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V050000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V051000 · Feb 2021 · model year 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Electrical system · 14V827000 · Dec 2014 · model years 2011, 2012
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Safety · 10E043000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.