← New search

2009 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 84.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Colorado years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

55 reports with mileage · 12 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

67 reports
46,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical System

VEHICLE WILL NOT START , CRANK OVER , NOTHING ,MUST WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR IGNITION TO CLEAR IN ORDER TO START . CONDITION HAPPENS RANDOMLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577000

40,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT `12-15 MINUTES, BEFORE THE TRUCK WOULD FINALLY START. UPDATED 02/14/14

NHTSA ODI #10559189

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2012
Equipment Adaptive/mobility

NO INCIDENT BUT WANTED TO REPORT POTENTIAL HAZARDS: I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COLORADO AND HAVE A COUPLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS. TIRE CHANGING- THIS VEHICLE IS VERY STRANGE AND UNSAFE TO ME WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A TIRE. - THE TOP OF THE JACK IS BARELY CONCAVE(YOU HAVE TO LOOK CLOSELY) AND A LARGE ROUND AXLE HAS TO REST ON THA…

Read full complaint

NO INCIDENT BUT WANTED TO REPORT POTENTIAL HAZARDS: I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COLORADO AND HAVE A COUPLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS. TIRE CHANGING- THIS VEHICLE IS VERY STRANGE AND UNSAFE TO ME WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A TIRE. - THE TOP OF THE JACK IS BARELY CONCAVE(YOU HAVE TO LOOK CLOSELY) AND A LARGE ROUND AXLE HAS TO REST ON THAT SLIGHTLY CONCAVE INDENTATION OF THE JACK, IT COULD EASILY FALL OFF EVEN WHEN THE JACK IS ON A CONCRETE FLOOR. - YOU HAVE TO SLIDE ON YOUR BACK WAY UNDER THE VEHICLE TO POSITION THE JACK DIRECTLY UNDER THE VEHICLE'S AXLE ELSE IT'S AT RISK OF FALLING OFF THE JACK DUE TO MISALIGNMENT. HOW'S ANYONE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT ON THE SHOULDER AT NIGHT. - YOU HAVE TO ASSEMBLE THIS LONG 3-PIECE ROD TO SLIP INTO THE JACK AND KEEP THE JACK FROM MOVING WHEN YOU'RE CRANKING THE JACK UP TO MEET THE AXLE, HOW IS ANYONE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT W/O MOVING THE JACK? HAZARD FLASHERS- ONE DAY I NEEDED TO TURN ON THE HAZARD FLASHERS BECAUSE A DISABLED VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I LOOKED ALL OVER AND COULD NOT FIND THE HAZARD LIGHTS SWITCH. I HAVE DRIVEN MOSTLY GM'S MY ENTIRE LIFE, THE HAZARD SWITCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN PLAIN SIGHT AND RED, NEVER DID FIND IT ON THE COLORADO AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ A BIG THICK MANUAL IN AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED GM'S(ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST ADVOCATES) BUT ON THE COLORADO KEEP THINKING, "WHERE WERE THEIR EVALUATION EMPLOYEES W/THE COLORADO, THERE ARE SO MANY THING THAT WEREN'T DESIGNED RIGHT". THEY ARE BASIC THINGS THAT WOULDN'T COST ANY MORE TO DO RIGHT. SAFETY-WISE THE JACK IS A HUGE HAZARD TO ME, COULD FALL OFF THE JACK SO EASILY, WHY DIDN'T THEY DO LIKE THE S10 OR MONTE CARLO AND HAVE A LARGE BUMP OR TABS ON THE JACK THA CATCH THE EDGE OF THE FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #10458688

22,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND JERK SLIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHIC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND JERK SLIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10413896

36,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Electrical System

FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2009 COLORADO IN DECEMBER OF 2010, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ENGINE DOESN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. THE DASH TELLS ME THAT THE IGNITION IS IN THE LOCK POSITION WHEN IT CLEARLY ISN'T. I EVEN TRIED USING THE SPARE KEY IN CASE THE KEY ITSELF WAS THE ISSUE. IT HASN'T BEE…

Read full complaint

FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2009 COLORADO IN DECEMBER OF 2010, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ENGINE DOESN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. THE DASH TELLS ME THAT THE IGNITION IS IN THE LOCK POSITION WHEN IT CLEARLY ISN'T. I EVEN TRIED USING THE SPARE KEY IN CASE THE KEY ITSELF WAS THE ISSUE. IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET, AND THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS KEEP TRYING UNTIL IT DECIDES TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO START THE TRUCK. THIS TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR SO OF CONSTANTLY TRYING TO START THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382685

18,500 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE IMPACT FORCED THE CONTACT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURY TO THE CHEST. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.

NHTSA ODI #10321098

1,863 miles · Oct 27, 2009
Power Train

ON SATURDAY OCT 24 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO WITH 1863 MILES ON IT ON THE HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE AND I FELT A SHUDDER IN THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIND ABOUT A MILE FURTHER WE FELT A EXPLOSION UNDER THE TRUCK SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWN TIRE …

Read full complaint

ON SATURDAY OCT 24 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO WITH 1863 MILES ON IT ON THE HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE AND I FELT A SHUDDER IN THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIND ABOUT A MILE FURTHER WE FELT A EXPLOSION UNDER THE TRUCK SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWN TIRE IT WASN'T FOUND OUT THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE FRONT END OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN OUT TAKING THE DRIVE SHAFT AND PART OF THE MUFFLER SYSTEM WITH IT WE WERE LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW THEY TELL ME THEY ARE REPLACING WITH ALL NEW PARTS THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED THIS WAS A BRAND NEW TRUCK TWO MONTHS OLD WITH ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289928

Official recalls

3

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.

09V154000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

May 6, 2009

GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE SEPARATION OF THE ROOM TEMPERATURE VULCANIZING (RTV) SEAL BETWEEN THE SEAL AND THE HOUSING MAY ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE MODULE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 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.