2011 Chevrolet Avalanche

Issue: 
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. 

Safety Risk: 
If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. 

Corrective Action: 
General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the passenger-front airbag. 
Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

Issue: 
Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. 
 
Note: This recall is for vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain areas of the United States that experience high or moderate levels of heat and humidity, and that were subsequently imported into Canada.
Affected states:
American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan),  Virginia and West Virginia.
 
Safety Risk: 
If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.
Corrective Actions: 
General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the passenger-front airbag inflator. Note: This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

This Safety Improvement Program was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-591. 

General Motors Canada is conducting a voluntary Safety Improvement Program involving passenger airbag inflators in vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in certain areas of the United States that experience high or moderate levels of heat and humidity, and that were subsequently imported into Canada.  Dealers will replace the passenger inflator on affected vehicles. Owners who believe their vehicles may have been originally purchased or registered in the states listed below should contact a General Motors dealer. This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Affected states:

American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan),  Virginia and West Virginia.

On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition lock cylinder could cause the key to stick in the "start" position if the vehicle interior temperature is sufficiently high. If the vehicle is operated in this condition and the interior temperature cools or the vehicle goes off-road or is subjected to some other jarring event, the key could move out of the "start" position, rotate past the "run" position and into the "accessory" position. If this were to occur, engine power, power steering and power braking would be affected, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property.  The timing of the key movement out of the “run” position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may also result in the airbags not deploying in a subsequent collision, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect the steering column for identifying information and replace if necessary.

On certain vehicles, the rear axle cross pin was improperly heat treated (during the manufacturing process) and could fracture and become displaced within the rear differential.  As a result the driver may hear a banging noise emanating from the rear axle.  Also, if the pin shifts out of position it could create an interference and cause the rear axle to lock.  This could cause a loss of vehicle control, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the rear axle cross pin.