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2012 Chevrolet Colorado

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado are lower than the model-year median of 84.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

31 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 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.

3 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2022
Electrical SystemFire

That truck started on fire. Burnt up. Total . It started on the front passenger side near the motor where the ground plug is located. It had drizzled that day and the ground plug is not water proof. Burnt down a huge 120 long barn with other farm equipment inside. About $250,000 in losses.

NHTSA ODI #11448074

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2021
Electrical System

VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOES NOT START AND HAVE TO SIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTS UP AGAIN. IS CONSIDERED A NON RUNNING VEHICLE!

NHTSA ODI #11395914

58,000 miles · Sep 16, 2020
Electrical System

THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT. I GOOGLED IT AND SEEN THERE ARE TONS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WENT TO START TRUCK AND IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.

NHTSA ODI #11355382

47,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, REINSTALL THE BATTERY CABLE, WAIT AN ADDITIONAL FEW MINUTES, AND THEN START THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLE, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, REINSTALL THE BATTERY CABLE, WAIT AN ADDITIONAL FEW MINUTES, AND THEN START THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEEDS A PAPER COPY OF EVOQ. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11265489

85,356 miles · Sep 11, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

WILL NOT START HAVE TO TAKE OFF - POST FROM BATTERY THEN 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTS. THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES FOR THE 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTS.. EMS NEEDS REPLACED. IF I LOCK THE TRUCK AFTER THE 3 TIME IT STARTS THIS S(XXX). 2012 CHEVY. COLORADO. IT'S NOT THE KEY OR SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #11254863

38,000 miles · Dec 26, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

AT FIRST, TRUCK SHOWED TPS ALARM ,THEN STABILITY ALARM ,NEXT IT HAD THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT @ 70 MPH FOR 15-30 SECONDS. IT HAS SHOWN THESE PROBLEMS SEPARATELY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES. FINALLY IT MANIFESTED A NEW SYMPTOM I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK THE ENGINE OVER EVEN THOUGH THE BATTER…

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AT FIRST, TRUCK SHOWED TPS ALARM ,THEN STABILITY ALARM ,NEXT IT HAD THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT @ 70 MPH FOR 15-30 SECONDS. IT HAS SHOWN THESE PROBLEMS SEPARATELY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES. FINALLY IT MANIFESTED A NEW SYMPTOM I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK THE ENGINE OVER EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS AT FULL CHARGE. AFTER REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALER(THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM) WITH NO EFFECT OR IMPROVEMENT, A CALL TO CHEVROLET NETTED A CASE NUMBER #71-1257538002. AS A RESULT OF THIS CALL( I FEEL) WORK WAS RESTARTED ON THE VEHICLE. AS OF TODAY 12/26/13 THE CHEVROLET DEALER HAS NOW CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH. WE SHALL SEE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557270

10,000 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Electrical System

I HAVE A 12 MONTH OLD CHEVY COLORADO, BOUGHT NEW. FOR 9 MONTHS, NO ISSUES. THEN IN OCTOBER, IT SIMPLY WON'T START. DEAD BATTERY. I DROVE IT REGULARLY TO AND FROM WORK EACH DAY, SO IT'S NOT FROM NON-USE. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD BATTERY. THEY REPLACED IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, SAME THING. DEAD BATTER…

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I HAVE A 12 MONTH OLD CHEVY COLORADO, BOUGHT NEW. FOR 9 MONTHS, NO ISSUES. THEN IN OCTOBER, IT SIMPLY WON'T START. DEAD BATTERY. I DROVE IT REGULARLY TO AND FROM WORK EACH DAY, SO IT'S NOT FROM NON-USE. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD BATTERY. THEY REPLACED IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, SAME THING. DEAD BATTERY AND CAR WON'T START, BUT LIGHTS WORK, RADIO WORKS. I TAKE IT IN AGAIN, AND THEY CAN'T FIND A REASON. THEY KEEP IT A WEEK (STATIC) AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. BUT IT WORKS WHEN I LEAVE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THREE WEEKS LATER, SAME THING. CAR WON'T START AND I'M TIRED OF GETTING STRANDED. AND I DRIVE IT REGULARLY. THEY TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERS SERVICE AND THEY RUN TESTS BUT CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY CALL CHEVY WHO GIVES THEM DIRECTION, BUT CHEVY DOESN'T LET ON THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM. BUT I GO ONLINE AND FIND MANY ISSUES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. SINCE THIS IS THE 3RD ATTEMPT TO FIX IT, I'M GOING TO PURSUE THE LEMON LAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557107

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS …

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2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE NOT ISSUE, AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE ISSUE WAS A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. LATER IN THE WEEK, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SPUN BEARING THAT CAUSED THE ISSUES. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO REPLACED, BUT IT WOULD TAKE COUPLE OF DAYS TO GET AN APPROVAL FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE AUTHORIZATION FINALLY CAME THROUGH AND THE DEALER PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE COULD PICK THE VEHICLE UP ON JUNE 1ST. HOWEVER, THEY WANTED TO PUT SOME ADDITIONAL MILES ON THE TRUCK TO CONFIRM EVERYTHING WAS IN SPECIFICATION. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS. HE STATED THE TRUCK WOULD IDLE IN A ROUGH MANNER , AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE CHECKED THE CODES ON THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THEY WERE TRANSMISSION RELATED. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A WIRING HARNESS ISSUE AND SOME CRIMPED SEALS FROM THE FIRST DEALERSHIPS WORKMANSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA ODI #10522375

Official recalls

2

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.

11V552000 · Seat Belts:front

Nov 17, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

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.