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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-CHEVROLET-COLORADO NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2009 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Colorado problems

67 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Colorado?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
36 reports · fails ~69,687 mi · avg $850
severe
airbags
5 reports · fails ~57,900 mi · avg $1,100
severe
engine
4 reports · fails ~105,557 mi · avg $3,100
severe
fuel system
3 reports · fails ~35,096 mi · avg $1,200
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 Colorado's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 Colorado?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Colorado · electrical
No crank, no start condition caused by defective ignition switch housing (pass lock sensor failure) that can leave owner stranded. This is widespread among gm and Chevrolet colorado vehicles. Gm needs to redesign ignition switch housing and pass lock sensor to prevent failure…
12/25/2014 · at 28,300 mi · NHTSA ODI #10668213.0 · see electrical pattern →
2009 Colorado · electrical
Driving straight at 55 MPH on indiana highway 3 with cruise on engine died and would turn over but not start.coasted off onto a country road,had the colorado towed to a auto repair shop.repair shop found a blown 20 amp ignition fuse, replaced fuse and engine started up ran…
12/24/2015 · at 80,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10812031.0 · see electrical pattern →
2009 Colorado · electrical
Will not start when dash padlock indicator is blinking. After waiting 10-15 minutes the indicator will stay solid and vehicle will start. Does this off and on every week or so. You do not know when it will happen. Dealership would not check it out as it did not occur when I was…
12/19/2017 · at 62,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11055602.0 · see electrical pattern →
2009 Colorado · electrical
Vehichle will not start when padlock dash indicator is blinking, if you wait 10-15 minutes padlock dash indicator will stay steady and vehichle will start. This has happened off and on going on 6-8 years now. You never know when the vehicle will do this, when I took it to the…
12/19/2017 · at 60,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11055604.0 · see electrical pattern →
View all 67 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Chevrolet Colorado? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 09V310000 July 29, 2009

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

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.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado?

The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 36 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–83,499 mi; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 36 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,687 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,687 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Colorado has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 67 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Colorado. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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