2011 Chevrolet COLORADO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
54,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 42 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
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 | 14 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Electrical System: 14; Air Bags: 9; Unknown Or Other: 4; Engine: 3; Exterior Lighting: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 8; 2015: 5; 2016: 3; 2017: 4; 2019: 7; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10450788 · 2012-03-08 (March 8, 2012)
ON FEBRUARY 14, 2012 I WAS DRIVING ON A CLEAN, DRY, STRAIGHT, AND LEVEL ROAD AT 35MPH. I WAS NOT ACCELERATING, BRAKING, OR CORNERING. THE ALARM BELL RANG AND THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY INDICATED "TRACTION FAULT, REDUCED POWER, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM". THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED IT'S ENGINE POWER TO THE POINT IT COULD NOT BE SAFELY OPERATED IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE WITH TRAFFIC, MERGE, OR MAKE A LEFT TURN. I WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE DEALER. I DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT RIGHT AWAY. THEY TOLD ME I HAD …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,339 miles reported. Look up ODI 10450788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510267 · 2013-05-01 (May 1, 2013)
THE STOP LIGHTS WORK INTERMITINLY DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH. GM HAS TSB'S ON MODELS UP TO 2009 FOR THIS ISSUE. WITHOUT OPPERATABLE BRAKE LIGHTS A REAREND CRASH IS LIKLEY. THIS 2011 VEHICLE IS NOT THE FIRST WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 43,123 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563637 · 2014-02-10 (February 10, 2014)
NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG BUT AFTER AN OIL CHANGE IT HAS COME ON AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE WIRING. UNSAFE AND WILL BE A COSTLY FIX FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO USAGE OF THE REAR DOOR. IT IS AN EXTENDED CAB FOR A REASON! BRAKES ON DRIVERS SIDE GRAB IN THE FRONT. IT SEEMS TO GRAB AND SLIDE TO THE LEFT, VEHICLE IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH REGULAR TIRE ROTATION AND TIRE PRESSURE CHECKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52,452 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563637 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10643754 · 2014-10-10 (October 10, 2014)
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE TRUCK WILL NOT START. IT IS GENERALLY WHEN YOU HAVE DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE OR MADE SEVERAL STOPS. WHEN COLD THE ENGINE WILL FIRE RIGHT UP. AFTER A COUPLE SHORT TRIPS, WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE UPON TURNING THE KEY THE DASH WILL GO DEAD. THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. WAIT ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES AND VEHICLE WILL START. MECHANIC CHECKS HAVE RULED OUT BATTERY, STARTER AND SOLENOID AND A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. WE HAVE REPLACED ALL THE RELAYS. MAY BE A PASSLOCK ISSUE, BUT DEALER DENIES HISTORY OR DEFECT, BUT …
Owner-reported narrative. 62,201 miles reported. Look up ODI 10643754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563937 · 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)
FRONT TIRES RUB FENDER WELLS AND SWAY BAY. EMPTY OR LOADED, MORE SO WHEN LOADED. THEY RUB THE SWAY BAR SO BAD THAT I CANNOT RUN A HEAVY LUG TIRE. A HEAVY LUG TIRE CAUSES WHEEL LOCKUP WHEN STEERING IS AT FULL LOCK. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. GM DEALER HAS SAID THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE AND THAT I NEED TO LIVE WITH IT, JUST TO BE CAREFUL WHEN RUNNING A LUG TIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005155 · 2017-07-13 (July 13, 2017)
INLINE IGNITION FUSE KEEPS BLOWING WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WERE WHEN I WAS TURNING, TWO OTHER TIMES WERE WHEN IT WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, ONE TIME AFTER IT JUST STARTED, AND ANOTHER AS I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY. AT TIMES THE TRUCK WILL START WHEN A FUSE IS REPLACED, AT TIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE FUSE CHANGES TO GET ON THE ROAD. THIS RESULTS IN THE ENGINE TO STOP AND POWER STEERING TO FAIL. THERE IS NO PATTERN IN WHEN IT HAPPENS. IT HAS BEEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, DUE TO THE TRUCK WORKING …
Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10993041 · 2017-06-04 (June 4, 2017)
STARTED SMELLING RAW FUEL. THEN HAD A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK, SPRAYING RAW GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA. . FOUND THAT THE FUEL MODULE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. IF I HAD NOT STOPPED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MASSIVE FIRE
Owner-reported narrative. 95,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256934 · 2019-09-20 (September 20, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEWMAN CHEVROLET [phone removed], LOCATED AT 1181 WAUWATOSA RD, CEDARBURG, WI 53012) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10692595 · 2015-03-06 (March 6, 2015)
SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE) AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. THIS FAILURE HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10692595 at NHTSA ↗