This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Chevrolet Colorado electrical problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 11 electrical complaints filed for the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report multiple electrical failures on 2010 Colorados, starting with intermittent no-start conditions where the engine will not crank despite all accessories (lights, radio, horn) working. Vehicles typically start again after a 5–10 minute wait, a pattern owners associate with Passlock anti-theft system engaging in "safety mode" without clear cause. Dealers have been unable to replicate the issue in their shops, and battery replacements have failed to resolve it; one owner reported a dealer charged for an AC Delco battery while installing a lower-amperage unit instead.
A second critical failure is engine shutdown while driving on the highway, with one narrative attributing it directly to ignition switch malfunction. This creates dangerous loss of power steering and braking.
Airbag warning lights stay illuminated due to broken wires in the rear extended cab door harness—a design flaw where wire length is insufficient for door actuation. Owners found no recall campaign for this known defect.
Brake lights and cruise control fail together, with fuses testing good; one shop confirmed brake switch and electrical controller faults. TPMS warnings illuminate continuously despite correct tire pressures, with dealer sensor replacement and computer reprogramming proving ineffective. Passlock also locks owners out after opening the vehicle with a key instead of a fob, sometimes for hours.
Same Chevrolet Colorado electrical reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent no-start / Passlock anti-theft engagement
Vehicle fails to start after being parked, with all electrical accessories (dash lights, radio, horn) working normally. No cranking sound occurs. Issue resolves after waiting 5-10 minutes and retrying. Owners report Passlock anti-theft system may be entering 'safety mode' without cause, triggering mandatory 10-minute delays before restart is possible.
When: After parking; occurs randomly at fuel stops, home, or work destinations. Narratives cite incidents from 47,000 to 79,000 miles; one owner reported multiple occurrences between 12/30/2019 and 1/13/2020.
Symptoms owners cite: No cranking when turning ignition key; All dash lights illuminate normally; Radio and horn function during no-start condition; Vehicle finally starts after 5-10 minute delay; Intermittent occurrence, difficult for dealer to replicate; Passlock anti-theft light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Passlock anti-theft system malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership replaced battery (AC Delco claimed, but owner disputes actual part installed); issue persisted. Another owner left vehicle at dealer for six weeks after no-start; dealer applied 'unknown parts' but problem recurred. Third owner's vehicle left at dealer for diagnosis but not repaired.
Stalling during highway driving / ignition switch failure
Engine shuts down while vehicle is in motion on the highway. One narrative attributes failure directly to ignition switch malfunction. Exact circumstances vary but create dangerous loss of power steering and braking assistance.
When: While driving on highway at unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shut-down while driving; Loss of power assistance to steering and brakes
Codes mentioned: Ignition switch malfunction
Airbag warning light (door wiring harness)
Airbag warning lamp stays illuminated during engine operation. Root cause is insufficient wire length in the harness between body and rear extended cab door. Wire breaks from repeated door opening/closing cycles, severing airbag circuit. Design defect; no recall campaign issued.
When: Appears during normal vehicle operation; occurs as door is repeatedly used.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated while engine running; Broken wires visible in door hinge area; Airbag light cannot be reset even after wire inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Owners found insufficient wire length by inspecting rubber protection boot between body and door.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall campaign per dealer service advisor.
Brake lights and cruise control inoperative
Brake lights fail to illuminate and cruise control becomes non-functional. Fuses test good, indicating electrical issue beyond simple fuse failure. Narratives cite brake switch and electrical controller faults as root cause.
When: At unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not illuminate; Cruise control inoperative; Fuses are intact
Codes mentioned: Brake switch fault, Electrical controller fault
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports brake switch and electrical controller required replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for this issue but does not cover 2010 model year.
Tire pressure monitoring system false warning
Low tire pressure warning lamp illuminates continuously during driving at various speeds, despite tire pressures being at correct levels. Dealer replaced one wheel sensor and reprogrammed computer; issue recurred shortly after repair.
When: At approximately 79,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Low air pressure warning light continuously illuminated; Actual tire pressures are correct
Codes mentioned: TPMS sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced one wheel sensor and reprogrammed vehicle computer.
Passlock anti-theft lockout after accidental activation
Passlock anti-theft system activates after opening vehicle with key rather than fob, preventing engine start for extended periods. Vehicle also displays false low-fuel warning simultaneously.
When: During normal vehicle operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Passlock anti-theft light illuminates; Vehicle will not start after key-based door opening; False low fuel indicator displays (tank verified full); No start condition persists for hours despite waiting
Codes mentioned: Passlock anti-theft activation
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Airbag warning light stays on when engine is running. Google searched and found dozens of repeated explanations of the cause on vehicle & model years on each side of mine. The wiring from the body to the small rear extended cab door is too short and breaks as the door is used. One of the wires is in the airbag circuit and the indicator illuminates when the wire breaks. Upon looking under the…
The passlock feature on the truck engages frequently without cause making me sit and wait out the 10-minute delay. This is always inconvenient, especially at the gas station with long lines behind me. This problem has the potential for being a safety hazard. The internet has a passlock by-pass procedures but I'm reluctant to modify the vehicle without gm's authorization. The local dealer had…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet colorado. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start at random times. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, but the vehicle was repaired with unknown parts. When the contact retrieved the vehicle, it was unable to start and was left at the dealer for six weeks. The issue recurred a second time and the dealer diagnosed that the battery had…
Ignition switch caused motor to shut down while driving down the highway.
While driving the pass code anti-theft light came on. Parked at destination and three hours later returned to vehicle. Opened the vehicle with a key rather than the fob, vehicle would not start. The panel also indicated low fuel, but the tank was full. Waited two hours, hoping that it would reset. Vehicle still would not start.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet colorado . The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the low air pressure warning light continuously illuminated. The tire pressure was checked and was accurate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing, they replaced one wheel sensor and re-programmed the computer. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The…
The airbag came on I found broken wires in door hing still can t get light to go off.
Had electrical trouble with your 2010 Chevrolet Colorado?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 40,000 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Chevrolet/Colorado.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.