Model year record

2011 Chevrolet Colorado recalls & problems

The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado has 5 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (14 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints42filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesDec 19, 2012

Hood › Latch

Recall 12V594000118,800 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Power trainJun 28, 2011

Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 11V3370006,768 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

VisibilityMay 6, 2011

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 11V2760004,674 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionJan 6, 2011

Rear › Axle › Spindle

Recall 11V00700030,566 vehicles

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

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.

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

2011 Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC AWD

OverallNot Rated

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

2011 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC AWD

OverallNot Rated

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

2011 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC AWD

OverallNot Rated

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

2011 Chevrolet Colorado PU/RC RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

2011 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

2011 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	18.5%

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

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Colorado 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Colorado Crew Cab 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/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 Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Colorado 4WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-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	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.7 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-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 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 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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical system	14	0	0	58,100 mi
Air bagsSrs malfunction warning lamp/light	10	3	4	51,226 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights	4	0	0	42,061 mi
Unknown or other	4	0	0	119,000 mi
Service brakes	3	1	0	—
Seat belts	3	0	0	55,852 mi
Engine	3	0	0	77,306 mi
Tires	2	0	0	—
Power train	2	0	0	—
StructureBody	2	0	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	2	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Suspension
Excessive frame corrosion that has caused the bed of the truck to touch the cab which has made me apprehensive to drive it. The truck has ROT holes on the bottom sections of the frame where water collects. The truck is available for inspection upon request at any time. The problem has not been inspected by a dealer, independent service center, vehicle manufacturer, police or insurance representative. However, I have 40 years experience of being an automobile technician and am qualified to make the above claims. Thank you for your assistance.
Jan 1, 2025
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 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 doesnât recognize the key. If you search âchevy colorado passlockâ hundreds of videos will come up, each video with thousands of views…
Apr 16, 2023
Air bags › Srs malfunction warning lamp/light
The drivers-side airbag indicator light remains on. The light warns that the airbag is not working. This is the third time it has happened, first at 89,000 miles, then at 111,000 miles, and now at 133,000 miles. Previous repairs were for broken wires in the wire harness to the extended cab rear door. Wiring in the harness for the airbag is related to the seat belt tensioner. This is a defect that was reported to NHTSA by several others, some of whom were injured in accidents. The repair is costly; the dealer charged around $400.
Feb 7, 2022
Unknown or other
Frame is rusted through/broken in same spot on both sides. Bed of truck is flipping up and there is no gap left between the bed of the truck and the cab at the top but there is 1.5 inch gap at bottom of bed/cab. The truck only has 56,000 miles and I have only put 26,000 miles on it since I bought it in 2017.
Jul 1, 2021
Service brakes
Brake lights will not come on. There is no fuse and lights are new. Many people have reported this as a problem. Has something to do with some switch that the dealer must replace. I have driver nearly 2000 miles this month without any idea the brake lights were not working until I could not get the cruise control to work. After some research it was discovered the cruise control is associated with the switch
Jul 2, 2021
Seat belts
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, DRIVER HAD JUST SAT DOWN AND CLOSED THE DOOR. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE SMELL OF GUNPOWDER FILLED THE CAB. DRIVER STEPPED OUT AND OPENED THE REAR DOOR WHICH HOLDS THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE SEATBELT WAS FOUND TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL AND THE BELT WAS LOCKED UP TIGHT AND COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT. A NEW BELT ASSEMBLY WAS ORDERED THROUGH LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A PRICE OF $261.35.
Feb 14, 2021 · 96,150 miles
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.
Jun 1, 2018 · 65,000 miles
Air bagsCrash2 injuries
2011 CHEVY COLORADO. CONSUMER STATES THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS
Mar 17, 2020

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