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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHEVROLET-COLORADO
2012 · chevrolet

chevrolet Colorado problems

2 safety recalls. 41 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

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

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
9 reports · avg $1,100
moderate
electrical
7 reports · avg $850
severe
engine
5 reports · avg $3,100
severe
steering
5 reports · avg $700
severe
brakes
4 reports · avg $450
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Colorado · electrical
AT FIRST, TRUCK SHOWED TPS ALARM ,THEN STABILITY ALARM ,NEXT IT HAD THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT @ 70 MPH FOR 15-30 SECONDS. IT HAS SHOWN THESE PROBLEMS SEPARATELY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES. FINALLY IT MANIFESTED A NEW SYMPTOM I WOULD…
12/26/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557270.0
2012 Colorado · electrical
I HAVE A 12 MONTH OLD CHEVY COLORADO, BOUGHT NEW. FOR 9 MONTHS, NO ISSUES. THEN IN OCTOBER, IT SIMPLY WON'T START. DEAD BATTERY. I DROVE IT REGULARLY TO AND FROM WORK EACH DAY, SO IT'S NOT FROM NON-USE. I TOOK IT TO SERVICE AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD BATTERY. THEY REPLACED…
12/23/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557107.0
2012 Colorado · steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER AFTER COMPLETING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION SHAFT TWICE…
12/20/2012 · NHTSA ODI #10489353.0
2012 Colorado · body
The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver’s side subframe had fractured due to rust and corrosion. The contact indicated that the fracture was located by the bed of the truck and the cabin…
12/09/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11496703.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 12V594000 19/12/2012

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

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.
severe NHTSA 11V552000 17/11/2011

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION

THE LOOSE CONNECTIONS MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO NOT RECEIVE A VISUAL OR AUDIBLE WARNING THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 9 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. 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 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 41 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. 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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