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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.

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

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

What owners actually said

42 reports
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

69,000 miles · Jun 8, 2016
Structure

THE REAR DOOR ON THE EXTENDED CAB FAILS TO COMPLETELY LATCH ALLOWING THE DOOR TO MOVE IN AND OUT WHEN TRAVELING ON UNEVEN SURFACES.

NHTSA ODI #10873150

40,121 miles · Apr 14, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

BROKEN WIRES INSIDE DRIVERS REAR DOOR AFFECTING THE AIR BAG WARNING SYSTEM AND POSSIBLE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG

NHTSA ODI #10855401

41,000 miles · May 27, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAD SLIGHTLY DETACHED BECAUSE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAD SLIGHTLY DETACHED BECAUSE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SLIGHTLY DETACHED AND THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE PARKING LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #10721754

55,852 miles · May 17, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsStructure

WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON STEADY. I WENT TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IT WAS FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. IT WAS IN A FAULT SITUATION. IT WAS GIVING 2 CODES FOR THIS BUT WAS NOT TOLD WHAT THEY WERE. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT HAD 2 BROKEN WIRES INSIDE A RUBBER BOOT THAT LEADS…

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WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON STEADY. I WENT TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IT WAS FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. IT WAS IN A FAULT SITUATION. IT WAS GIVING 2 CODES FOR THIS BUT WAS NOT TOLD WHAT THEY WERE. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT HAD 2 BROKEN WIRES INSIDE A RUBBER BOOT THAT LEADS FROM THE EXTENDED CAB REAR DOOR TO THE BODY. I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR EXTENDED CABS AS THE WIRING IS TO SHORT AND IS PINCHED WHEN THE REAR DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS. THE WIRES EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CAUSE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO GO INTO A FAULT SITUATION AND NO LONGER WORK. ALSO I WAS TOLD THAT THE OTHER WIRES IN THE RUBBER BOOT WILL ALSO EVENTUALLY FAIL INCLUDING THE SPEAKER WIRE AND INTERIOR LIGHT SENSOR WIRES. I WAS TOLD THIS IS AN EXTENDED CAB ISSUE NO OTHER MODELS SEEM TO DO THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10716970

55,000 miles · May 5, 2015
Engine

15% OF THE TIME MY 2011 CHEVY COLORADO WILL NOT TURN OVER. IT IS COMPLETELY SPORADIC. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, MAKING ME LATE TO WORK. SOMETIMES, I GET ALL THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION, OR TO A GAS STATION AND WHEN I TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT WON'T TURN OVER. EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE W…

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15% OF THE TIME MY 2011 CHEVY COLORADO WILL NOT TURN OVER. IT IS COMPLETELY SPORADIC. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, MAKING ME LATE TO WORK. SOMETIMES, I GET ALL THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION, OR TO A GAS STATION AND WHEN I TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT WON'T TURN OVER. EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE, MY RADIO, MY AIR CONDITIONING, ALL MY LIGHTS FUNCTION JUST AS THEY SHOULD BUT MY MOTOR WILL NOT TURN OVER. THERE ARE NO CLICKING NOISES, OR OTHER STARTING NOISES WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KEY. I HAVE SAT AND TRIED TO START THE CAR 5-100 TIMES, NOTHING. I THOUGHT MAYBE IS WAS USER ERROR, NOPE. NOTHING I HAVE DONE WILL START MY TRUCK. AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES TO AN HOUR IF I TRY TO START IT, IT STARTS RIGHT UP LIKE THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS ISSUES. I WORK IN ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CITIES IN AMERICA. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS HAVING AN UNRELIABLE VEHICLE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 9 DIFFERENT TIMES. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 6 MONTHS, AND IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 7 WEEKS NON-CONSECUTIVELY. WHEN I BRING MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TELL ME THAT THEY CAN NOT "RECREATE THE PROBLEM" WHICH MAKES ME BELIEVE THEY DO NOT CARE TO RECREATE IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS, THEN THE SECOND I GET IT BACK IT IS STILL NOT STARTING 100% OF THE TIME. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND I HAVE COME ACROSS MANY STORIES SIMILAR TO MINE. THEY ALSO ALL SAY THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I HAVE GOTTEN THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU INVOLVED IN MY CASE, AND I AM DREADING CONTACTING AN ATTORNEY JUST BECAUSE I LOVE GM. I WILL NEVER BUY A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT GM. I JUST NEED A RELIABLE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714725

45,000 miles · Mar 6, 2015
Power Train

SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE) AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. THIS FAILURE HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692595

110,545 miles · Jan 3, 2015
Air Bags

I TURNED MY TRUCK ON AND STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED THIS IS DUE TO BAD CONNECTORS/ HARNESS FOR THE DOORS ON EXTENDED CABS, THERE SHOULD BE RECALL FOR THIS, I'M NOT THIS FIRST TO HAVE THIS ISSUE, THIS DEEMED UNSAFE AND AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY OR IF IN AN ACCIDENT THEY MAY NOT D…

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I TURNED MY TRUCK ON AND STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED THIS IS DUE TO BAD CONNECTORS/ HARNESS FOR THE DOORS ON EXTENDED CABS, THERE SHOULD BE RECALL FOR THIS, I'M NOT THIS FIRST TO HAVE THIS ISSUE, THIS DEEMED UNSAFE AND AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY OR IF IN AN ACCIDENT THEY MAY NOT DEPLOY THERE FOR CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE MOTORIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10669890

73,500 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE TRUCK STRUCK ANOTHER LARGER TRUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, HEAD ON, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ADDITIONAL INJURY TO MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652402

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.