2009 Chevrolet Avalanche Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags4160.3%
- Body & structure68.8%
- Driver assistance57.4%
- Electrical45.9%
- Fuel system22.9%
- Engine22.9%
- Interior & seats22.9%
- Tires & wheels11.5%
- Exterior lighting11.5%
- Other / unspecified11.5%
- Powertrain (other)11.5%
- Steering11.5%
- Brakes11.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. This is a common problem that mechanics see with these vehicles.
2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR HAVE NOT BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS PLACED ON AWAITING LIST AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CONTACTED WHEN THE PART ARRIVES.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND FLEXES LARGE AMOUNTS DURING NORMAL IN TOWN DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE ARE SHARP EDGES THAT CONCERN ME IF WE WERE INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND NEVER ABUSED IN ANY WAY. THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO WORSEN AND ARE APPARENTLY FROM THE LACK OF REINFORCEMENT OR MATERIALS DEFECT IN THE DASH ITSELF BUT THE DIRECT CAUSE IS UNKNOWN TO ME.
DASHBOARD AND VENT COVER CRACKING IN MULTIPLE PLACES CAUSING RATTLING AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO FLYING DEBRIS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY STABILITY CONTROL AND TRACTION CONTROL KEEP TURNING OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN AND THE MECHANIC SAYS IT IS THE STEERING ANGEL SENSOR. THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE THE PART IS BACK ORDERED NATION WIDE. HE SAID IT IS USED ON LOTS OF GM PLATFORMS. SO NOW AT VARIOUS TIMES I HAVE NO STABILITY CONTROL OR TRACTION CONTROL AND CANNOT GET THE TRUCK FIXED.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
ON 10/13/2015 I TOOK MY AVALANCHE TO GALLES CHEVROLET , ALBUQUERQUE, NM FOR REPAIR OF A CRACKED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND FAULTY L/R DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. I PICKED IT UP ON 10/15/2015. WHILE PARKING THE TRUCK ON 10/17/2015 I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO POWER TO LOCK THE LOCKS WITH THE KEY FOB. IT WAS AS IF THE BATTERY I HAD HAD REPLACED NEW ABOUT 6 WEEKS PRIOR SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. THEN I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN THE DOORS/LOCK ACTUATORS AND SUDDENLY THE BATTERY POWER WAS RESTORED. I NEXT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON NEW MEXICO HWY 485 ON 10/25/2015 ONLY WORSE. WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AT SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 35-50 MPH THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS NUMEROUS TIMES, THE AIRBAG, STABILATRAC, AND ABS SENSOR ALARMS KEPT ACTIVATING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY DISENGAGED MANY TIMES AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND IMMEDIATELY LOST BATTERY POWER AND HEARD THE SAME CLICKING NOISES IN THE DOORS AND NEEDED A HOTSHOT FROM ANOTHER DRIVER TO GET RESTARTED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME IN THE DARKNESS WITH ALL EQUIPMENT AND LIGHTS WORKING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ON 10/26/2015 I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER INCIDENT OF SUDDEN SENSOR AND LOCK ACTIVATIONS AND ALARMS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THE HWY. THIS WENT ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN STOPPED. I HAD THE BATTERY, CHARGING SYSTEM AND FAULT CODES CHECKED BY A FIRESTONE MECHANIC 2X ON 10/26/2015 BUT NO FAULTS WERE FOUND IN THE COMPUTER AND THE BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM CHECKED OUT GOOD. THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY POSSIBLE EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE BATTERY OR ONE OF THE COMPUTER MODULES WAS SOMEHOW LOSING ITS GROUND CONTACT BUT HE CHECKED EACH OF GROUND CONTACT WIRES AND FOUND EACH SECURELY CONNECTED. I WILL TRY TO TAKE A VIDEO OF THESE EVENTS IF IT OCCURS AGAIN .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. This is a common problem that mechanics see with these vehicles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE "SERVICE VEHICLE SOON" WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MADE APPROXIMATELY FOUR ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER (VANDERGRIFF CHEVROLET, 1200 W INTERSTATE 20, ARLINGTON, TX 76017, (682)-323-2486) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ESPECIALLY WHEN IGNITION KEY SWITCH IS ENGAGED IT WILL STICK AND CAUSE THE STARTING MOTOR TO REMAIN ENGAGED REQUIRING TURNING THE SWITCH BACK TO OFF POSITION THEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. BEING CAREFUL NOT TO HOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY IN THE POSITION NECESSARY TO ENGAGE THE STARTER ANY LONGER THAN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO HEAR THE ENGINE FIRE THEN RETURNING THE KEY POSITION TO THE RUN POSITION SEEMS TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN A 2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, THE ELECTRONIC POWER WILL SHUT OFF TO THE VEHICLE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH DISORIENTING THE DRIVER, LOCKS SWITCH ON AND OFF, POWER TO THE ENGINE IS INTERMITTENT AND SURGES FORWARD UPON POWER COMING BACK. TRACTION ASSIST AND PARKING ASSIST TOGGLE ON AND OFF IN RAPID SUCCESSION CAUSING DRIVER TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. INCIDENTS LAST FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AT A TIME. INCIDENTS HAPPEN IN CLUSTERS AND MAY GO WEEKS OR MONTHS AT A TIME WITHOUT INCIDENT. HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR AND USUALLY AFTER THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING AFTERWARDS. POWER WILL BE COMPLETELY OFF. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP AND APPEAR TO BE FINE UNTIL THE NEXT INCIDENT. HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER (STILL UNDER WARRANTY) ABOUT SIX TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CONTACT GM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE'S INTERNAL COMPUTER DOES NOT GENERATE A "CODE" THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CUTTER CHEVROLET (711 ALA MOANA BLVD, HONOLULU, HI 96813) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON AND THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discoverer Rugged Trek, Tire Size: 275/55/R20, DOT Number: (Not Available). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the front passenger’s side tire. The contact pulled over and noticed that the front passenger’s side tire side wall was blown out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who removed the tire. The contact then stated that the tire was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger’s side tire needed to be replaced. The tire was not replaced. The tire was a replacement tire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate tire mileage was 20,000. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 165,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
IPCW INPROCARWEAR.COM FROM CALIFORNIA-USA. I PURCHASED TAIL LIGHTS FOR MY TRUCK FROM THIS WEBSITE, THE LIGHTS STARTED ON FIRE AND ALMOST BURNED MY TRUCK DOWN. I PURCHASED A SECOND SET THINKING THE FIRST WHERE FAULTY AND THE SECOND SET ALSO FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY AND HAVE ELECTRICAL ARC MARKS INSIDE. I AM NOT THE ONLY COMPLAINT WITH THIS BRAND OF LIGHTS ON THE INTERNET. I NOTICED SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL WHEN I GOT HOME THANK GOD I WASN'T RUNNING TO A GROCERY STORE AND LEFT KIDS IN THE TRUCK WHEN THE FIRST SET OF TAIL LIGHTS I PURCHASED STARTED ON FIRE. HOW CAN THIS PRODUCT BE ALLOWED WHEN THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY, IN REVERSE. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY BEFORE CRASHING INTO A BODY OF WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EITHER CONTRIBUTED TO THE PARK POLE OR THE TEETH FRACTURING IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 10/13/2015 I TOOK MY AVALANCHE TO GALLES CHEVROLET , ALBUQUERQUE, NM FOR REPAIR OF A CRACKED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND FAULTY L/R DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. I PICKED IT UP ON 10/15/2015. WHILE PARKING THE TRUCK ON 10/17/2015 I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS NO POWER TO LOCK THE LOCKS WITH THE KEY FOB. IT WAS AS IF THE BATTERY I HAD HAD REPLACED NEW ABOUT 6 WEEKS PRIOR SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. THEN I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN THE DOORS/LOCK ACTUATORS AND SUDDENLY THE BATTERY POWER WAS RESTORED. I NEXT EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING ON NEW MEXICO HWY 485 ON 10/25/2015 ONLY WORSE. WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MILES AT SPEEDS OF BETWEEN 35-50 MPH THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS NUMEROUS TIMES, THE AIRBAG, STABILATRAC, AND ABS SENSOR ALARMS KEPT ACTIVATING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY DISENGAGED MANY TIMES AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. WHEN WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND IMMEDIATELY LOST BATTERY POWER AND HEARD THE SAME CLICKING NOISES IN THE DOORS AND NEEDED A HOTSHOT FROM ANOTHER DRIVER TO GET RESTARTED. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE HOME IN THE DARKNESS WITH ALL EQUIPMENT AND LIGHTS WORKING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. ON 10/26/2015 I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER INCIDENT OF SUDDEN SENSOR AND LOCK ACTIVATIONS AND ALARMS WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THE HWY. THIS WENT ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN STOPPED. I HAD THE BATTERY, CHARGING SYSTEM AND FAULT CODES CHECKED BY A FIRESTONE MECHANIC 2X ON 10/26/2015 BUT NO FAULTS WERE FOUND IN THE COMPUTER AND THE BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM CHECKED OUT GOOD. THE TECHNICIAN MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY POSSIBLE EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE BATTERY OR ONE OF THE COMPUTER MODULES WAS SOMEHOW LOSING ITS GROUND CONTACT BUT HE CHECKED EACH OF GROUND CONTACT WIRES AND FOUND EACH SECURELY CONNECTED. I WILL TRY TO TAKE A VIDEO OF THESE EVENTS IF IT OCCURS AGAIN .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 11 YEAR OLD TUCK BRAKE LINE LEAKING BADLY UNDER DRIVER SIDE WHEN I PUMP BRAKES AND FAILED TO STOP AND IT HIT MY GARAGE DOORS WHEN I GOT HOME. IT HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT. CORROSIVE AND RUSTY LINES OR SOMETHING MORE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .