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2008 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 84.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

71 reports with mileage · 10 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports7 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

81 reports
33,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

FOR MORE THAN 10,000 MILES (STARTING AROUND 33-34,000 MILES) AND OVER A YEAR MY TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE IDLE WILL BECOME ROUGH AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRUCK HAS ALMOST STOPPED RUNNING. THESE EVENTS DO NOT TRIGGER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN I TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THEY CAN…

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FOR MORE THAN 10,000 MILES (STARTING AROUND 33-34,000 MILES) AND OVER A YEAR MY TRUCK HAS EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE IDLE WILL BECOME ROUGH AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE TRUCK HAS ALMOST STOPPED RUNNING. THESE EVENTS DO NOT TRIGGER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN I TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THEY CANNOT EXPLAIN WHAT IS TAKING PLACE. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND I AM LOSING MY PATIENCE. THE STANDARD EXPLANATION IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN THE PROBLEM IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSE. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ANY HELP. I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT I WILL FIND MYSELF PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION OR CROSSING A STREET AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT RUN! I WAS ASKED TO CHANGE GAS STATIONS AND I DID TO NO EFFECT. I HAVE BEEN INCONVENIENCED BY THIS RECURRING PROBLEM AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE TRUCK. AFTER GOING TO A COLORADO TRUCK OWNERS FORUM ON THE INTERNET I NOW KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE. MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ARE NOT ABLE TO GET IT RESOLVED THROUGH THE DEALER OR CHEVROLET. MY TRUCK HAS APPROXIMATELY 44,500 MILE ON IT AND IS PAID FOR. I LIKE THE TRUCK BUT IT IS NOT SAFE AND IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384382

7,800 miles · Dec 28, 2010
Exterior Lighting

THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HAS CONDENSATION IN IT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER TWICE IN 18 OR SO MONTHS. NOW IT HAS CONDENSATION IN IT AGAIN. IT IS A CHEVROLET COLORADO 2008. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED OR DAMAGED. I'M TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN IN FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. TH…

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THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY HAS CONDENSATION IN IT. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER TWICE IN 18 OR SO MONTHS. NOW IT HAS CONDENSATION IN IT AGAIN. IT IS A CHEVROLET COLORADO 2008. THE TRUCK HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED OR DAMAGED. I'M TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN IN FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. THIS PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED WITH LESS THAN 8,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN THE LAST 8 MONTHS AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE TRUCK NOW HAS ABOUT 22,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373164

22,700 miles · Dec 17, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES DRAG AND SQUEAL ALL OF THE TIME. THEY GRAB SOME OF THE TIME, AND HAVE TEMPORARILY LOCKED UP ON 6 OCCASIONS. BEING ABS; THEY DON'T ACTUALLY LOCK UP BUT DO GRAB HARD ENOUGH AND LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TIRES "CHIRP". THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT THE LOWER THAN EXPECTED MPG AND HIGHER THAN EXPEC…

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THE BRAKES DRAG AND SQUEAL ALL OF THE TIME. THEY GRAB SOME OF THE TIME, AND HAVE TEMPORARILY LOCKED UP ON 6 OCCASIONS. BEING ABS; THEY DON'T ACTUALLY LOCK UP BUT DO GRAB HARD ENOUGH AND LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TIRES "CHIRP". THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT THE LOWER THAN EXPECTED MPG AND HIGHER THAN EXPECTED VARIATION IN MPG MAKES ME THINK THEY OCCUR AT ALL SPEEDS. HAVING NO DOUBT THAT THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE WORRIES ME. I'M ANXIOUS ABOUT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL AND AT WHAT SPEED. ON FOUR OF THE SIX "LOCK UP" OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAD SHIFTED ITSELF INTO HIGH RANGE 4WD. THAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED BUT WENT UNNOTICED THE OTHER TWO TIMES. EVERY TIME IT SHIFTED ITSELF INTO 4WD (AND TRIED TO LOCK THE BRAKES) WAS AFTER BACKING UP. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SELF BRAKING; A TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES THE VEHICLE BRAKE HARDER. A TURN OF MORE THAN 1/2 ROTATION RESULTS IN A "GRAB" AND A "CHIRP". IF STARTING FROM A STOP AND TURNING AT THE SAME TIME, THE REAR WHEELS MIGHT SPIN. I'VE BEEN DRIVING 4X4S FOR MANY YEARS. I KNOW THAT FRONT WHEELS "LURCH" DURING A TIGHT TURN. THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS VEHICLE IS DOING. IT WILL EXHIBIT THE SAME SYMPTOMS IN 2WD. I THINK IT'S AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THIS COLORADO HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP FOR 8 ELECTRICAL FIXES ALREADY. THE NUMBER AND VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE COLORADO MODEL ARE STAGGERING. THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND MADE RELIABLE IN THE NAME OF SAFETY. UNFORTUNATELY, IT SEEMS LIKE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF INJURIES AND DEATHS MUST BE REACHED TO WARRANT A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10371726

68,000 miles · Dec 3, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER CANNOT FIND OR FIX PROBLEM. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. REPLACED HUBS, TIRES PADS ROTORS AND DRUMS STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369153

46,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Visibility

CHEVY COLORADO 2008 BOTH SUN VISORS ARE FALLING FREE FROM THERE PIVOT POINT WHERE ATTACHED TO CAR. AND DROPPING RIGHT DOWN IN FRONT OF DRIVER VISION OR PASSENGER VISION NEARLY CAUSING WRECK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353780

48,500 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SELF-ADJUSTING SPRING THAT WAS ACCUMULATING DIRT AND DEBRIS. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A HOLE WORN IN THE BRAKE DRUM AND CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. THE BRAKE DRUMS WERE REPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SELF-ADJUSTING SPRING THAT WAS ACCUMULATING DIRT AND DEBRIS. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A HOLE WORN IN THE BRAKE DRUM AND CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE. THE BRAKE DRUMS WERE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 11/19/2010 UPDATED 11/24/10. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10349665

36,000 miles · Jul 15, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM A FULL STOP, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE, DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS ARM. THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM A FULL STOP, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE, DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HIS ARM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP ANY FURTHER ABNORMAL ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED HE DID NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT ANY TIME DURING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343474

25,223 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipment

ODOMETER BUTTON RATTLES AND IS LOOSE,BACK PASSENGER SPEAKER HAD A SHORT IN IT AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315348

21,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE TRUCK COMES TO A STOP OR COASTING, THE RPM GAGE STARTS TO FLUCTUATE, AND THE TRUCK STARTS TO SHAKE. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL RESULT IN THE TRUCK COMPLETELY TURNING OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY; OCCURRING ATLEAST 1-3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT STARTED WAS IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. IT IS REALLY FRUSTRATING W…

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OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE TRUCK COMES TO A STOP OR COASTING, THE RPM GAGE STARTS TO FLUCTUATE, AND THE TRUCK STARTS TO SHAKE. MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL RESULT IN THE TRUCK COMPLETELY TURNING OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY; OCCURRING ATLEAST 1-3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT STARTED WAS IN THE SUMMER OF 2009. IT IS REALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN THIS HAPPENS AT AN INTERSECTION, A LIGHT OR MAYBE AS I AM TURNING, BUT IT IS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE I'M GOING DOWN HILL OR IF I AM ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO CAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. MY TRUCK IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP ATLEAST 6 TIMES AND THEY RETURN MY VEHICLE USUALLY CLUELESS ABOUT WHAT TO DO. THEY USUALLY RECOMMEND FOR ME TO CHANGE MY GAS TO SHELL, WHICH I HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY HAVE RE-DONE MAINTENANCE JOBS ON IT, HOPING THAT THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY, BUT IT DOESN'T. THE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES ON, WHICH IS A HUGE PROBLEM. RECENTLY THEY PLACED A DATA RECORDER TO RECORD WHEN IT HAPPENS, I RECORDED 5 INCIDENTS, AND THEY CAME BACK NORMAL!!! THE DATA RECORDER DOESN'T PICK IT UP! THE MECHANICS ARE BAFFLED AND RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, NOR DO I ANYMORE. DRIVING THIS TRUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK, BUT IT IS ALSO ENDANGERING THE PEOPLE DRIVING ALONG ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313375

15,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING A LEASED 2008 CHEVY COLORADO WITH 15,000 MILES, ALWAYS TRAVEL A VERY SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE N FRONT, CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SO EASED UP BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AT A SLOW RATE. WHEN MY VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOPPED I FELT MY ENGINE RACING A BIT, SO I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE HAR…

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DRIVING A LEASED 2008 CHEVY COLORADO WITH 15,000 MILES, ALWAYS TRAVEL A VERY SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE N FRONT, CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SO EASED UP BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AT A SLOW RATE. WHEN MY VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOPPED I FELT MY ENGINE RACING A BIT, SO I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE HARDER, AND AS I APPLIED MORE AND MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKE THIS CONTINUED ON AND ON. AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS OF THE CONTEST, I PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WHICH STOPPED THE EPISODE. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS TYPE OF THING, ALTHOUGH BOTH MY WIFE AND I HAD BOTH EXPERIENCED A HANDFUL OF ISOLATED INCIDENTS WHERE THE ENGINE RACED A BIT WHILE SLOWING DOWN WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. MY WIFE TAKES THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS AND HAS FILED AT LEAST 3 COMPLAINTS. BECAUSE THE VEHICLE NEVER BEHAVES THIS WAY WHEN THE DEALER CHECKS IT, THEY CAN NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND SENDS HER ON HER WAY. NO WONDER, THE ODDS OF IT BEHAVING THIS WAY DURING THE TIME THEY HAPPEN TO BE CHECKING IT ARE LESS THAN ONE BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTENING. SO WE MUST GO ON TRAPPED IN A LEASE HOPING THAT ONE DAY IT DOES NOT ACT UP IN A WAY THAT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN KILLS SOMEBODY. AND ITS NOT THAT WE WANT TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE, BECAUSE OTHER THAN THIS WE LOVE THE VEHICLE. WE JUST WANT IT FIXED, BUT IT HAS BECOME SO OVERTLY OBVIOUS THAT THEY CAN'T FIX IT. WONDERFUL SYSTEM HERE IN AMERICA. EVERYONE IS FORCED TO TRUST AMERICA'S TRUE GOD, MONEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310299

Official recalls

2

10V575000 · Child Seat

Nov 18, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND THE OWNER MANUAL DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOW TO USE THE TOP TETHER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

09V310000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Jul 29, 2009

GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.