Dashboard crack at left front corner of passenger side front airbag. Vehicle was stationary. Fear that crack will puncture airbag upon deployment. Dashboard plastic way too thin.
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche body problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 15 body complaints filed for the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Body accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA body 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: Dashboard cracking is widespread on 2013 Avalanches and affects airbag areas—a real safety concern if deployment breaks the brittle plastic. Interior door handles also deteriorate from cheap plastic, and dealers charge to replace the whole assembly.
Owners consistently report cracks in the dashboard, particularly around the passenger-side airbag and above the steering wheel. One failure occurred at 65,000 miles; others developed gradually while the vehicle sat stationary. Owners describe the dash plastic as too thin and cheap, leading to progressive cracking that gets louder (rattling) as it spreads. Multiple owners worry cracks will compromise airbag deployment or create sharp plastic fragments during an accident.
Interior door handles made of white plastic are disintegrating. Two cases involved rear door handle bolt anchors breaking completely, forcing the handle out of the panel. Owners cannot replace just the pull handle—they need an entire assembly swap.
One owner reported a broken dashboard clip as a precursor to full cracking. Dealers have confirmed dashboard replacement is necessary, but owners note GM hasn't changed the material, so the same failures recur. No specific recalls or technical service bulletins appear in the narratives, though at least one dealer made the manufacturer aware of the issue.
Same Chevrolet Avalanche body reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard cracking
Dashboard plastic develops cracks, often around the steering wheel, instrument cluster, or passenger-side airbag. Owners report thin plastic material as the cause and express concern that cracks could compromise airbag deployment or create sharp projectiles in an accident. One owner reported failure at 65,000 miles; others note cracks appearing gradually over time without triggering any specific event.
When: 65,000 miles reported in one case; others describe gradual cracking over months to years while vehicle stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks on dashboard extending from steering wheel area; Cracks appearing around passenger-side airbag housing; Cracks above speedometer/instrument panel; Progressive cracking with time; Rattling noise from dashboard as cracks expand
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated dashboard replacement needed (one case); no parts costs cited. Owners note that replacement uses the same thin plastic material, suggesting recurring failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM was made aware in at least one case per dealer report; no recall, TSB, or warranty program mentioned in narratives
Interior door handle failure
Door pull handles made of cheap white plastic deteriorate and disintegrate over time. In some cases, the handle bolt anchors break and fail, causing the handle to pull out of the door panel. Owners cannot replace just the handle itself and worry the handle will eventually break completely, making the door unsafe to close without hand injury.
When: Gradual deterioration over time; no specific mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Door pull handle disintegrating progressively; Interior door handle pulls out from door panel when bolt anchors fail; Handle becomes unreliable for opening/closing door
Repairs/costs cited: Both rear door handles replaced in one case; no costs provided. Handles are made of poor-quality white plastic with no option to replace only the pull component.
Broken dashboard clip
Dash clips break, signaling early-stage failure before widespread cracking occurs. Owner warns that once the full crack develops, dashboard pieces can become projectiles during an accident.
When: 5 years of ownership reported (truck was 5 years old at complaint)
Symptoms owners cite: Broken dashboard clip
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Door handle bolt anchors breaking and failing. Both read door handles have had to be replaced. When they fail the door handle pulls out from the door panel and eventually will break apart.
Cracks on dash around air bag compartment on passenger side.
Had body 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 body problem on the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 46,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 47,225. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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.