Model year guide

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 113 on record.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints155
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$23,874

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche recalls 3

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V054000 · 05/02/2021

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, Ch…

Fix: 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 notific…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #21V050000 · 05/02/2021

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 …

Fix: 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 notific…

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V827000 · 30/12/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for t…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche SUV 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche worth?

Low
$17,000
Typical price
$23,874
High
$30,000

From 110 comparable 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$14,200
Total$32,200
Per mile$0.43

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($23,874) with the same model 5 model-years older ($9,681), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche trims & engines on record

Trims
LT · LTZ · LS
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Avalanche model years

2011 Chevrolet Avalanche — frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche?

Based on 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, suspension.

What is the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche crash-test ratings of rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche worth?

Comparable 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche listings run roughly $17,000–$30,000, typically around $23,874 (from 110 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.