I received a notice in the mail about a possible recall of the takata airbags.
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche airbags problems
severe 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 22 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chevy Avalanche has widespread reports of spontaneously cracking dashboards around the airbag areas — a known defect GM won't recall — plus Takata airbag recalls that were delayed for months due to parts shortages, and one documented case where airbags failed to deploy in a serious collision. Budget $1,500 for dashboard repair and expect an uphill fight with dealers on warranty coverage.
Dashboard cracking is the dominant complaint: plastic splits and spreads around the passenger-side airbag area and driver-side instrument panel, often while the vehicle sits parked. Owners across Louisiana, Indiana, and elsewhere describe identical failures in multiple locations, with some reporting the issue within the first few years of ownership. The cracking causes rattling and vibration, and owners worry fractured plastic could deploy as shrapnel if airbags fire. Dealerships acknowledged it as a known defect in Avalanche, Silverado, and Suburban trucks but refused warranty coverage. GM offered one owner $130 goodwill and quoted $1,497 for dashboard replacement; most owners were told to pay out of pocket.
Takata airbag recalls (campaigns 21V054000 and 21V053000) issued in 2021, but owners couldn't complete repairs for months—GM simply didn't have parts. No timeline was provided, and one owner reported being kept on hold from February 2021 into 2022. One owner had the passenger airbag replaced in September 2025 and received dealer confirmation everything was working; months later, in a T-bone collision, none of the airbags deployed despite severe structural damage, resulting in preventable injuries.
A separate steering-wheel rubbing noise related to the airbag was repaired under warranty but recurred after coverage ended.
Same Chevrolet Avalanche airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking near airbag housing
The instrument panel (dashboard) cracks spontaneously, particularly around the passenger-side airbag area and driver-side instrument panel area. Cracks originate and spread over time, sometimes at multiple locations. The dashboard also vibrates and rattles. Owners report concern that fractured plastic could become shrapnel during airbag deployment, posing injury risk.
When: Occurs while vehicle is parked or in normal use; some owners report first noticing cracks within 2-3 years of ownership. One 37K-mile garage-kept vehicle reported the issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks in dashboard material, particularly passenger-side near airbag and driver-side above instrument panel; Cracks spreading and enlarging over time; Dashboard rattling and vibration; Obnoxious noise from dashboard; Dashboard material separating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships quote approximately $1,497 for dashboard replacement. GM offered one owner $130 as goodwill; most dealerships refused to cover under warranty or extended warranty. Owners report dealerships acknowledged it as a known problem in Avalanche, Silverado, and Suburban models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM refused to issue a recall for the cracked dashboard issue. Dealerships consistently stated it was not their responsibility. One owner received a $130 goodwill offer from Chevrolet.
Takata airbag recall parts shortage
Owners received NHTSA campaign notifications (21V054000 and 21V053000) for Takata airbag defects but were unable to complete recall repairs because replacement parts were not available from the manufacturer for extended periods. Owners waited months with no resolution or timeline provided.
When: Recall notifications issued in February 2021 and continuing through 2022. Parts remained unavailable months after notification.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but unable to schedule repair; Parts not available at dealerships; No expected timeline provided for parts availability; Months of delays without resolution
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 21V054000, NHTSA 21V053000
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag replacement performed at dealerships once parts became available (e.g., one owner had recall completed 09/26/2025). However, airbag did not deploy in a subsequent T-bone collision in that vehicle despite dealer confirmation of proper function months before.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaigns 21V054000 and 21V053000 issued for Takata airbag recall. GM failed to supply parts in a timely manner, leaving vehicles with unresolved safety recalls for extended periods.
Airbag non-deployment in accident
Owner reported a T-bone collision with significant structural damage from front quarter panel to rear quarter panel on the driver's side. None of the vehicle's airbags deployed despite the severity of impact. The passenger airbag had been replaced per manufacturer recall only months prior, with dealer confirmation that all systems were working correctly. No warning lights or airbag system messages appeared before the collision.
When: Collision occurred months after recall repair (09/26/2025 repair; accident occurred shortly after)
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment in T-bone collision; No warning lights or diagnostic messages prior to accident; Owner and passenger sustained minor injuries (cuts, bruises, neck pain) that might have been prevented by airbag deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag had been replaced under manufacturer recall at a certified Chevy dealer on 09/26/2025. Dealer confirmed all recalled components were replaced and working correctly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Passenger airbag replaced under manufacturer recall (unspecified campaign number). Dealer confirmed proper function and completion of all required recalls prior to accident.
Steering wheel rubbing noise related to airbag
Owner reported a rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel, which was diagnosed and repaired under warranty as an airbag-related issue. The rubbing noise has returned after warranty expiration.
When: Originally fixed during warranty period; recurred after warranty coverage ended
Symptoms owners cite: Rubbing sound when turning steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired under warranty; parts and specific repair procedure not detailed in complaint.
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Rubbing sound when turning the steering wheel,fixed when car was under warranty, was told it was the air bag. Rubbing sound has returned. Also there are several cracks in the dashboard, which could be hazardous if the airbags were to deploy during a front end collision.
Instrument panel (dashboard) cracked at airbag. Upon deployment shrapnel from dash panel could enter passenger compartment causing injury.
The dash is cracked at multiple places including up to the airbag. I was told by the people who repairs windshield that this is a know problem for avalanche, silverado suburban. This is clearly a manufacturer defect and should be a recall they are quoting me a $1497 repair fee to replace the dash at the dealer. I contacted Chevrolet for assistance. They offered a $130 good will....
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 37,000 and 71,500 miles, with the median around 49,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 71,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Chevrolet/Avalanche.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.