2010 Chevrolet Avalanche: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 111 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (59% of complaints); the 2012 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Heard a Loud Pop Bang noise then discovered Dash cracked in several multiple places. Currently need to have airbags attended to as when I last called when it was convenient for me to take vehicle into repair , the repair place can't meet my needs for time frame to repair. Am now afraid driving with all the cracks in dash but can Not be without vehicle.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2024
“Having alot of issues with the drain tubes especially with the front top tubes my floor boards are being soaked. The tubes are plastic so when and why for the drain tubes and how often should they be really be changed. The seal above driver door and passenger door in front are not always put in correctly or they move causing the water to cross over and pull into car instead of exiting. And the ac plug also problem. Certain years do not have the cabin filters .The engine light is very sensitive as well.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2021
“Cracked dashboard keeps geting worse, service airbags lights now on. Ive had nummerous service suspension issues and had already fixed a thrttle tps sensor tat left me stranded on a day it was 0 degrees outside get gm accountable!!! *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Each time I brought the vehicle the vehicle in to have it repaired, the dealer says there are no parts. Each time I check the VIN site, it tells me that there is no remedy available. When will gm repair these defective airbags? The vehicle is still being used for normal family uses.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet avalanche. While driving approximately 50 mph with the windshield wipers activated, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle regained power within less than a minute. The contact stated that the failure recurred an additional two times; however, the windshield wipers were not activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 chevrolet avalanche. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v381000 (air bags). The dealer (keller motors, 700 cadillac ln, hanford, ca, 866-882-6546) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *tt*jb the consumer stated after having the recall repair completed, the airbag light illuminated. The dealer advised the failure was not in relation to the recall and the consumer would have to pay a diagnostic fee. The consumer requested the vehicle be repaired with no cost. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“Dashboard containing passenger side is severely cracked. In the event of an airbag deployment, dashboard may prevent proper operation of airbag or may shatter resulting in parts of the dashboard being projectiles towards the occupants of the vehicle. Gm dealer cost to replace dashboard is prohibitive. The dashboards should be replaced with new style that gm dealer claims no longer cracks or the airbag disabled.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2018
“Takata recall: recall number: 16v381 myself, my wife and kids drive my 2010 chevy avalanche. We live in a region with high summer temps, along with very high humidity levels. I am concerned for the safety of my entire family. What do I do now? For gm to not have a remedy available to replace the faulty airbags is unacceptable. When will this takata airbag issue be resolved? How can I, in good conscience allow my family to drive this truck?”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“My transmission when taking off fast sound like it's in neutral and then when I let off the fast it goes in gear. Also my dash board is cracking and found be a serious airbag issue. I've seen hundreds of complaints about this and a recall hasn't been issued. The recall needs to be issued so I could be fixed asap. This is a serious hazard.!!!”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2018
“I purchased my vehicle in hanford ca at keller motors. They tell me they cannot replace airbags because they don't have replacements.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: MARATHON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE SEAT COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MARATHON AT 1-800-735-2769.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
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, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 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 Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 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 Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
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 A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
How other years compare
Check your exact Avalanche by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche reliable?
NHTSA has 111 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche. The most complained-about area is air bags (59% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Avalanche have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.