Model year record

2009 Chevrolet Colorado recalls & problems

The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado has 3 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (36 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints67filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

2009 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 6, 2009

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 09V15400027,188 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

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

2009 Chevrolet Colorado 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

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

2009 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab

OverallNot Rated

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

2009 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab

OverallNot Rated

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

2009 Chevrolet Colorado NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2009 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

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Colorado 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Colorado 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Colorado Crew Cab 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

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

Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/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 systemIgnition › Switch; Starter assembly	36	0	3	0	60,000 mi
Engine	10	0	2	1	82,260 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	9	0	1	0	69,192 mi
Air bags	6	1	0	1	53,500 mi
Unknown or other	6	0	0	0	69,176 mi
StructureFrame and members; Frame and members › Underbody shields	5	0	0	0	46,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	3	0	0	0	29,500 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	3	0	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline	2	0	0	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	0	0	—
Suspension	2	0	0	0	—
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	0	0	0	—

*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 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic became aware that the entire subframe was extremely rusted and notified the contact. Additionally, the leaf spring on the driverâs side was also extremely rusted. The subframe was not replaced, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
Oct 10, 2023 · 88,000 miles
Suspension
Frame has rusted to the point it is dangerous to drive looking at available date this is a problem on most model Colorado and canyon mine is so bad I will not drive it and it looks like most of them are the same. I do not know satitics but I am sure there have been many injuryâs or death. These results are all related to road salt.
Apr 1, 2023
Electrical systemFire
Vehicle caught fire and lost everything
Mar 16, 2021
Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Jun 6, 2023 · 114,000 miles
Structure › Interior panels › Sun visor
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the sun visor fell down obstructing the driverâs view. Additionally, the contact stated that the frame was not properly aligned which caused loud wind noise to enter the cabin which interfered with hearing sirens or horns honking. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
May 10, 2010 · 33,000 miles
Suspension
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact had taken his vehicle for state inspection and was informed by an inspector that there was significant corrosion on the main undercarriage suspension. The contact was informed by the inspector that due to the severity of the corrosion, the vehicle could no longer be driven. The vehicle failed the inspection. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
May 28, 2021 · 46,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. AFTER 20 MINUTES THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5200 S. BROADWAY, INGLEWOOD, CO 80113 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Dec 1, 2020 · 135,000 miles
Electrical system
HAS SOME KIND OF SECURTY MALFUNCTION THAT WONT LET ME START TRUCK FO 9 MINUTES
Jun 7, 2017 · 30,000 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.