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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-CHEVROLET-COLORADONHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2009 Chevrolet Colorado problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 67 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado has 67 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 36 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,687 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Colorado?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 36 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–83,499 mi
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
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.
Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Colorado? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 36 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,687 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,900 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
engine — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 105,557 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
fuel system — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 35,096 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 69,687 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 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 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Colorado?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 36 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,687 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 67 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 69,687 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day 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.
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