Model year record

2008 Chevrolet Colorado recalls & problems

The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado has 2 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (32 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints81filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 7reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 2reported in complaints

2008 Chevrolet Colorado in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Child seatNov 18, 2010

Child seat

Recall 10V575000192,676 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingJul 29, 2009

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 09V310000185,903 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2008 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2008 Chevrolet Colorado 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2008 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

2008 Chevrolet Colorado NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2008 Chevrolet Colorado NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Colorado 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Colorado 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	32	0	4	0	77,703 mi
Air bagsFrontal	14	3	1	0	58,072 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Drum; Foundation components › Disc › Pads	8	0	0	0	35,600 mi
Engine	8	0	0	0	91,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	7	0	2	0	33,000 mi
Exterior lighting	7	0	0	0	89,000 mi
Service brakes	7	0	0	0	45,000 mi
Seat belts	6	0	1	0	71,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	6	0	1	0	27,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	4	0	0	0	68,000 mi
Unknown or other	4	2	2	0	11,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	4	1	0	1	75,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Frame and members
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the sub frame underneath the vehicle was paper thin due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the independent mechanic had four similar vehicles in the yard with the same failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently purchased. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
Nov 21, 2025 · 119,000 miles
Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. Upon inspection of his vehicle, the contact discovered a hole in his vehicle's subframe. The contact then had an independent mechanic perform a further inspection of the vehicle and two additional holes were discovered in the vehicle's subframe. The contact called the dealer who sold him the vehicle and was informed that the vehicle was sold as is. The contact was also given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.
Jun 1, 2022 · 141,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that her son informed her that the frame was corroded. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she needed to pay out-of-pocket for the diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and transferred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was 109,221.
May 4, 2022 · 109,221 miles
Air bags
THE ELECTRIC INGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING ON THIS AND A MILLION TRUCKS IN THE COUNTRY PLEASE FIX THIS 10 MINUTE WAITING TIME TO START
Nov 1, 2020
Wheels
THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR. THE SEAL AROUND WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING CAUSING WATER TO PILE UP IN DRIVER SIDE FLOOR. TALKED TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT HAS SAME YEAR MODEL TRUCK THEY HAVE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AS MINE.
Jun 14, 2020
Structure › Body
FRAME IS RUSTING HAVE HOLES IN FRAME LEFT HAND SIDE BEHIND FRONT WHEEL CAN SEE ALL THE WAY THRU FRAME SUPPORT THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU ALSO IF THIS FRAME BRAKES AT THE POINT BEHIND LEFT FRONT WHEEL WILL CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING EMERGENCY BRAKE BRACKET ALSO MOUNTS HERE IT NO LONGER WORKS THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 12 YEARS OLD
Apr 28, 2020 · 157,935 miles
Electrical systemFire
THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. HEATER BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING ON 1, 2, & 3 SETTINGS. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PLUG WERE BURNT, STARTED A MINOR FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT MAKES A LARGE VIBRATION AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN CAN'T GET IT TO TURN BACK ON.
Oct 28, 2019 · 100,000 miles
Electrical system
THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START, I HAVE HAD THIS SAME COMPLAINT/PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS, HAVE HAD IN MANY SHOPS FOR SAME ISSUE, YES EACH ONE REPLACED SOMETHING/FIXED IT FOR A SUM OF MONEY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY LEAVING ME STRANDED ONCE AGAIN. IF I CAN GET IT RUNNING IT APPEARS MY ONLY FIX IS TO SELL/TRADE IT AND PASS THIS VERY PROBLEMATIC TRUCK ON TO OTHER.ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Aug 15, 2019 · 134,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.