2009 Chevrolet AVALANCHE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
76 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
75,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 46 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 76 complaints (53.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.9% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 3.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Unknown Or Other | 28 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard | 2 |
Air Bags: 41; Unknown Or Other: 28; Electrical System: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Structure: 2; Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 5; 2016: 16; 2017: 14; 2018: 8; 2019: 9; 2020: 5; 2021: 8; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10490354 · 2012-12-28 (December 28, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVALANCHE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED, THEN AUTOMATICALLY RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN ERRATICALLY FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH HOWEVER, WITHIN THAT MONTH THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. THE CU…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10892582 · 2016-08-02 (August 2, 2016)
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 REC…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10892582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574396 · 2014-03-24 (March 24, 2014)
SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10786178 · 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 91,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10786178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11024074 · 2017-09-18 (September 18, 2017)
CRACKS IN DASHBOARD ONE BY AIRBAG ONE BEHIND STEERING WHEEL AREA.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11024074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11082588 · 2018-04-02 (April 2, 2018)
PULLED OUT FROM THE PARKING LOT AT WORK ONTO THE ROAD, AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 100' THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE TRUCK DID NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR WAS IT HIT BY ANYTHING.
Owner-reported narrative. 169,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11082588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409970 · 2011-06-29 (June 29, 2011)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10409970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10436386 · 2011-11-18 (November 18, 2011)
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 UNKNO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10436386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532117 · 2023-07-13 (July 13, 2023)
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 w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532117 at NHTSA ↗