2009 Chevrolet COLORADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 55 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 67 complaints (49.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 16.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 6.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 33 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Electrical System: 33; Engine: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Air Bags: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 4
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 15; 2015: 12; 2016: 7; 2017: 8; 2018: 7; 2019: 5; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10662702 · 2014-12-08 (December 8, 2014)
NO CRANK/ NO START. THIS IS A WIDESPEREAD AND VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL YEARS CHEVY COLORADOS AND HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY WHERE THE ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK (TURN OVER). THIS CAN BE A PARTICULARLY UNSAFE ISSUE FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS IF FOR SOME REASON THE VEHICLE IS STALLED IN TRAFFIC OR LEAVING THE DRIVER STRANDED IN SOME REMOTE AREA UNDER ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, FOR EXAMPLE AND WILL NOT START. THIS HAPPENS SPORATICALLY, VERY DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE MAKING THIS VEHICLE UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE. GM DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IN AN ELECTRIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10713786 · 2015-04-30 (April 30, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM FEATURE INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATED AND THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUE TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATING UPON TRYING TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10713786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607883 · 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10607883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10627316 · 2014-08-21 (August 21, 2014)
FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE SENT A CODE INDICATING AN OPEN CIRCUIT. GM HAS A RECALL BUT OF COURSE MINE IS NOT PART OF IT. THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITHOUT NOTICE. COST $320 TO FIX. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 53,787 miles reported. Look up ODI 10627316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413896 · 2011-07-21 (July 21, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND JERK SLIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A RODENT CHEWED THROUGH THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577049 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS NOT SEATED IN ITS CLAMP/FITTING ALLOWING THE METAL LINE TO CONTACT/RUB THE STEEL FRAME WHEREBY A HOLE WAS WORN THROUGH TUBING. THIS CAUSED A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK WHEREBY THE LEAKED FLUID WAS BEING SPRAYED ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,452 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10628910 · 2014-08-27 (August 27, 2014)
TRAVELING ON A DARK COLD NIGHT WHEN VEHICLE CODED SERVICE ENGINE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON WE HAD NO HEADLIGHTS BRAKES LIGHTS NO WIPERS NO HEAT OR AIR AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE GIT OFF THE SIDE IF ROAD BEFORE ANY COLLISON. WE WERE UNABLE TO GET ANYTHING TO COME BACK ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WE ACTUALLY HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART THAT WORKED UNTIL WE COULD GET HOME. NO ONE CM TELL US WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. NOW IT IS NOT RUNNING AND UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. NOT VERY PLEASED WITH THIS TRUCK. WE BOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10628910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10780941 · 2015-10-08 (October 8, 2015)
THE TRUCK IS STILL EXPERIENCING "NO-STARTS". I HAVE BEEN IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME, NOW. I PURCHASED MY TRUCK FROM VAN CHEVROLET IN CARROLLTON, TEXAS ON JULY 27, 2009. I WAS NOT AWARE OF A RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE( RECALL #08411 BEGINNING MAY 18, 2009), NOR WAS I INFORMED OF IT BY THE DEALERSHIP. SMART CHEVROLET OF WHITE HALL (FORMERLY OF PINE BLUFF) CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED IT IN 2011, HOWEVER I HAVE HAD EVEN MORE ISSUES SINCE THEN. SMART CLAIMED TO HAVE REPLACED A BRAKE LAMP SWIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 83,499 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10715120 · 2015-05-07 (May 7, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V154000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10321098 · 2010-03-19 (March 19, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE IMPACT FORCED THE CONTACT INTO THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURY TO THE CHEST. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10321098 at NHTSA ↗