This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Chevrolet Colorado electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Colorado | 24 |
| 2009 Colorado | 36 |
| 2010 Colorado | 11 |
| 2011 Colorado | 13 |
| 2012 Colorado (this page) | 7 |
| 2015 Colorado | 20 |
| 2016 Colorado | 47 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 7 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 12 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 service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 intermittently not crank the engine over even though the battery was at full charge. After repeated trips to the dealer(they said…
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 it. About a month later, same thing. Dead battery and car won't start, but lights work, radio works. I take it in…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet colorado. When the vehicle was started, an unknown warning indicator flashed. The contact had to remove the battery cable, wait a few minutes, reinstall the battery cable, wait an additional few minutes, and then start the vehicle for it to resume normal operation. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or mechanic to have the vehicle serviced. The…
This truck only has 58,000 miles and the ignition switch went out. I googled it and seen there are tons of others with the same issue. Went to start truck and it wouldn't do anything.
Will not start have to take off - post from battery then 10 minutes before it starts. The security light flashes for the 10 minutes before it starts.. Ems needs replaced. If I lock the truck after the 3 time it starts this s(xxx). 2012 Chevy. Colorado. It's not the key or switch.
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 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 2012 Chevrolet Colorado?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 47,671 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2012/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.