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2011 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 84.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

35 reports with mileage · 7 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 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2023
Electrical System

The vehicle has an electronic issue where it does not recognize the original key to the car. It does not let you start the vehicle. There is a bad sensor in the ignition lock housing unit located where the key is inserted into the vehicle. This issue will nit let the driver start the car and the problem happens at random. For …

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The vehicle has an electronic issue where it does not recognize the original key to the car. It does not let you start the vehicle. There is a bad sensor in the ignition lock housing unit located where the key is inserted into the vehicle. This issue will nit let the driver start the car and the problem happens at random. For me it is 1 out of 20 times i try to start my vehicle it does not start due to this issue. This is a dangerous situation for me, as I live in a cold weather state in the US. I have been left stranded dozens of times because the car doesn’t recognize the key. If you search “chevy colorado passlock” hundreds of videos will come up, each video with thousands of views (from users like myself). GM charges hundreds to fix the issue. It is a well known issue with this vehicle. I fixed the issue myself. I replaced the faulty sensor and the issue is gone.

NHTSA ODI #11517584

65,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT START. SOMETIMES THERE'S POWER BUT WON'T CRANK. SOMETIMES THERE IS NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE AT ALL. IT HAS BEEN TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS, INCLUDING THE DEALER, AND NO PROBLEMS CAN BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE IS UTTERLY UNRELIABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11352486

119,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

THEY NEED BE INVESTIGATION ON 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO FOR IGNITION SWITCH AND ALSO ON 2006 HUMMER H3. BOTH VEHICLE WON'T START THEN 20 MIN LATER IT WILL START. HAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING ELSE IS SHOWING UP.

NHTSA ODI #11270969

119,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

I THINK THEY NEED CHECK FOR RECALLS ON IGNITION SWITCH FOR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND 2006-2008 HUMMER

NHTSA ODI #11270961

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2019
Electrical System

I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO TRUCK NOT STARTING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HAVE WENT TO ONE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD NOT HELP ME AFTER AN ENTIRE DAY. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT COULD NOT HELP ME. I HAVE HAD AN INDEPENDENT SHOP TRY TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK PERIODICALLY WILL N…

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I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO TRUCK NOT STARTING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HAVE WENT TO ONE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD NOT HELP ME AFTER AN ENTIRE DAY. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT COULD NOT HELP ME. I HAVE HAD AN INDEPENDENT SHOP TRY TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK PERIODICALLY WILL NOT START AND THEN AFTER 15-30 MINUTES IT WILL JUST START. THE COMPUTER WILL NOT PICK UP ANYTHING. THE BATTERY IS GOOD. THE STARTER IS GOOD. THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. AFTER GOOGLING TO SEE WHAT OTHERS MIGHT SAY WHICH DID BRING UP ISSUES WITH CHEVROLET, GMC, AND HUMMER. ONE PERSON SAID IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN I ASK ALL 3 DEALERSHIPS AND CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY ALL TOLD ME I WAS WRONG. THAT SOMETHING ELSE WAS THE ISSUE AND I NEEDED TO FIGURE IT OUT. I AM NOT HAPPY.

NHTSA ODI #11268450

65,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
Electrical System

PASSIVE LOCK SENSOR FAILS AND YOU HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING TO RESTART FOR THE CAR TO START

NHTSA ODI #11228756

46,230 miles · Oct 16, 2017
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY

NHTSA ODI #11033894

155,000 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Electrical System

INLINE IGNITION FUSE KEEPS BLOWING WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WERE WHEN I WAS TURNING, TWO OTHER TIMES WERE WHEN IT WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, ONE TIME AFTER IT JUST STARTED, AND ANOTHER AS I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY. AT TIMES THE TRUCK WILL START WHEN A FUSE IS REPLACED, AT TIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE FUSE CHANGES TO GET ON TH…

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INLINE IGNITION FUSE KEEPS BLOWING WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WERE WHEN I WAS TURNING, TWO OTHER TIMES WERE WHEN IT WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, ONE TIME AFTER IT JUST STARTED, AND ANOTHER AS I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY. AT TIMES THE TRUCK WILL START WHEN A FUSE IS REPLACED, AT TIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE FUSE CHANGES TO GET ON THE ROAD. THIS RESULTS IN THE ENGINE TO STOP AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THERE IS NO PATTERN IN WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, DUE TO THE TRUCK WORKING WHEN A NEW FUSE IS INSERTED AFTER THE TRUCK WAS TOWED IN.

NHTSA ODI #11005155

10,000 miles · Feb 8, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE SECURITY LOCK WOULD ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED SEVERAL TIMES OVE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE SECURITY LOCK WOULD ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER SWITCH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI #10950286

47,270 miles · Sep 6, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,270.

NHTSA ODI #10903760

Official recalls

5

12V594000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

Dec 19, 2012

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners and instruct them to inspect their vehicle for the presence of a secondary hood latch. Dealers will replace the hood on any affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

11V337000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Jun 28, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.9 OR 3.7 LITER ENGINE AND A FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT," AND FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP THAT MAY NOT RETAIN THE SHIFT CABLE IN THE CORRECT POSITION. IF THE SHIFT CABLE IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION, THE PRNDL SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR. THE DRIVER COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AS THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS EXIT THE VEHICLE OR HAVE EXITED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE STRIKING THEM OR SOMEONE AROUND THE VEHICLE, OR COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENT CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JULY 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

11V276000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

May 6, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 22, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. WHEN THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED WITH A BUILD-UP OF SNOW OR ICE, OR IF THE WIPERS ARE OPERATED ON A DRY WINDSHIELD, THE NUT COULD LOOSEN. IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT LOOSENING OF THE NUT, THE WIPERS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE THE WIPER MOTOR CRANK ARM NUT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MAY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

11V007000 · Suspension:rear:axle:spindle

Jan 6, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, COLORADO, EXPRESS, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; AND GMC CANYON, SIERRA, SAVANA, YUKON AND YUKON XL VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE CROSS PINS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND COULD FRACTURE AND BECOME DISPLACED WITHIN THE REAR AXLE. SHOULD THE PIN SHIFT OUT OF POSITION, IT COULD CREATE AN INTERFERENCE CONDITION AND CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO LOCK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REAR AXLE CROSS PIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.

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.