Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-CHEVROLET-COLORADONHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Chevrolet
2012 Chevrolet Colorado problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 41 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado has 41 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 9 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,188 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Colorado?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
2 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 2012 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
airbags — 9 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,188 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
electrical — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 47,671 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 60,250 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,183 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 47,671 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 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.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
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…
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…
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2012 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.
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.
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.
Should you avoid the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 2 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 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 9 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,188 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2012 Chevrolet Colorado a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 41 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 69,188 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 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 9 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,188 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 69,188 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 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 are not always better value.
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/2012/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.
