Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 problems
Owners filed 29 complaints about the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 with NHTSA between May 2014 and Apr 2021. The most-cited component is structure (8).
Complaints
29
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure8
- Air bags6
- Exterior lighting2
- Steering2
- Electrical system2
- Engine1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Service brakes1
- Suspension1
- Power train1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Other / unknown11
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
3
9
6
6
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
8 reports
“THE ADHESIVE SECURING THE 4 PIECES OF DOOR TRIM IS BREAKING DOWN AND THE TRIM PIECES WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OFF ON THEIR OWN, A POTENTIAL HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS DEPENDING ON WHEN AND WHERE IT HAPPENS. THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE A NO MAINTENANCE ITEM. REPORTED TO CHEVROLET, CASE # 8-4199057982, AND THEY DO NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED THAT THIS "LIFE OF THE VEHICLE" INSTALLATION IS DEFECTIVE AS THE 3 YEAR BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. AS A PRINCIPLE ENGINEER IN BOEING'S RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (WE TEST STUFF TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE), MY INFORMED OPINION IS THE DEFECT IS CAUSED BY POOR SURFACE PREPARATION PRIOR TO BONDING, ADHESIVE MATERIAL USED PAST IT'S WORKING LIFE, ADHESIVE MATERIAL PAST ITS SHELF LIFE, OR USE OF AN ADHESIVE MATERIAL WHICH IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE INTENDED ENVIRONMENT. AS THIS SAME TRIM IS INSTALLED ON NUMEROUS CHEVY, GMC AND CADILLAC TRUCKS AND SUV MODELS ANY CAUSE OTHER THAN THE FIRST TWO I LISTED WOULD INDICATE A PROBLEM WITH NUMEROUS VEHICLES.”
Air bags
6 reports1 crash
“AT +/-83000 MILES THE DASH DEVELOPED A CRACK LEADING INTO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HOUSING. IT ALSO IS BROKEN AND, WHEN DRIVING, LOOSELY VIBRATING BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HOUSING. GIVEN THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH AIR BAGS, THIS IS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE.”
Exterior lighting
2 reports
“THIRD BRAKE LIGHT NOT SEALED ALLOWING THE LIGHT TO GET IN MOISTURE AND RESULT IN FAILURE OF LIGHT TO FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY LAW. MANUFACTURING DEFECT ALLOWS THIS LIGHT TO FAIL AT ANY TIME WHICH COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND.”
Steering
2 reports1 related recall
“. WANT MY AIRBAGS TO WORK IF I NEED THEM. RECOVERED A LETTER IN MAIL TODAY 10/31/2017”
Electrical system
2 reports
“THE "SERVICE TRAILER BRAKE SYSTEM" WARNING IS ILLUMINATED IN MY DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED BY GM - 14515 - BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.”
Engine
1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.