2011 Chevrolet Avalanche

The 5.3L V8 equipped with Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder deactivation suffers from premature hydraulic lifter collapse, particularly on the AFM deactivation lifters (cylinders 1, 4, 6, 7). Symptoms include a loud ticking or knocking noise, engine misfires on one or more cylinders, reduced power, and check engine lights with misfire codes. This is the most common and expensive issue on the 2012 Avalanche.

Replace all 16 lifters (both AFM and standard), the lifter trays, the VLOM (valve lifter oil manifold), and the camshaft if it shows wear. Some owners install a DOD/AFM delete kit to eliminate the cylinder deactivation system entirely and prevent recurrence. Reference GM TSB 10-06-01-008F for AFM lifter noise diagnosis.

The dashboard develops cracks, warping, and a sticky or tacky texture, particularly along the top surface exposed to sunlight. The cracking is widespread across 2007-2013 GMT900-platform trucks and SUVs. The cracked dashboard is not just cosmetic — it can create a glare hazard for the driver and may affect airbag deployment geometry.

Replace the dashboard pad assembly. GM extended warranty coverage under a special dashboard replacement program for some model years, but coverage has expired for most 2012 models. Aftermarket dashboard covers or caps are available as a lower-cost cosmetic fix. A genuine GM dashboard replacement is a labor-intensive repair requiring removal of the entire instrument panel.

The HVAC blend door and mode door actuators fail, producing a repetitive clicking noise from behind the dashboard when the system cycles. The failed actuator causes temperature control issues, with the system blowing only hot or only cold air from certain vents. The clicking noise occurs when the ignition is turned on and continues until the actuator motor burns out.

Replace the failed HVAC actuator. The Avalanche has four actuators, and the driver-side temperature blend door actuator is the most common failure. Accessing the actuators requires partial dashboard disassembly. Replace all actuators showing signs of wear to avoid repeat repairs.

The transfer case encoder motor fails, causing the 4WD system to malfunction. Symptoms include the 'Service 4WD' warning message, inability to shift between 2WD and 4WD modes, grinding noises when engaging 4WD, and the transfer case defaulting to a single mode. The encoder motor position sensor wears out and can no longer accurately report the transfer case position.

Replace the transfer case encoder motor mounted on the outside of the transfer case. This is a relatively accessible repair. Reprogram the transfer case control module with the latest calibration after installation. Reference GM TSB 14-04-18-001 for 4WD system diagnosis. Also inspect the transfer case fluid for metal contamination.

The exhaust manifold bolts on the 5.3L V8 break due to thermal cycling, causing exhaust leaks. Owners hear a ticking noise on cold starts that may diminish as the engine warms up and the manifold expands to seal partially. The leak can cause exhaust fumes to enter the cabin through the HVAC fresh air intake and may trigger a check engine light for an oxygen sensor code.

Remove the broken exhaust manifold bolts (often requiring drilling and extraction), install new bolts, and replace the exhaust manifold gasket. If the manifold is cracked or warped, it must be replaced. The rear manifold on the driver's side is particularly difficult to access. Reference GM TSB 10-06-01-007 for exhaust manifold bolt diagnosis.

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, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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 notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

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 Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

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 notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

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.

If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

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 this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.