2009 Chevrolet COLORADO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10289928 · 2009-10-27 (October 27, 2009)
ON SATURDAY OCT 24 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO WITH 1863 MILES ON IT ON THE HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE AND I FELT A SHUDDER IN THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIND ABOUT A MILE FURTHER WE FELT A EXPLOSION UNDER THE TRUCK SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWN TIRE IT WASN'T FOUND OUT THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE FRONT END OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN OUT TAKING THE DRIVE SHAFT AND PART OF THE MUFFLER SYSTEM WITH IT WE WERE LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD IT TOWED …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,863 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289928 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 ↗
Owner report 10382685 · 2011-02-14 (February 14, 2011)
FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE I BOUGHT MY 2009 COLORADO IN DECEMBER OF 2010, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ENGINE DOESN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. THE DASH TELLS ME THAT THE IGNITION IS IN THE LOCK POSITION WHEN IT CLEARLY ISN'T. I EVEN TRIED USING THE SPARE KEY IN CASE THE KEY ITSELF WAS THE ISSUE. IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED YET, AND THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS KEEP TRYING UNTIL IT DECIDES TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO START THE TRUCK. THIS TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES OR SO OF CONSTANTLY TRYING TO START THE TRUCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10382685 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 10458688 · 2012-05-16 (May 16, 2012)
NO INCIDENT BUT WANTED TO REPORT POTENTIAL HAZARDS: I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COLORADO AND HAVE A COUPLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS. TIRE CHANGING- THIS VEHICLE IS VERY STRANGE AND UNSAFE TO ME WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A TIRE. - THE TOP OF THE JACK IS BARELY CONCAVE(YOU HAVE TO LOOK CLOSELY) AND A LARGE ROUND AXLE HAS TO REST ON THAT SLIGHTLY CONCAVE INDENTATION OF THE JACK, IT COULD EASILY FALL OFF EVEN WHEN THE JACK IS ON A CONCRETE FLOOR. - YOU HAVE TO SLIDE ON YOUR BACK WAY UNDER THE VEHICLE TO POSITION THE JACK DIRECTLY UNDER THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10458688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10559189 · 2014-01-09 (January 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT `12-15 MINUTES, BEFORE…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577000 · 2014-04-02 (April 2, 2014)
VEHICLE WILL NOT START , CRANK OVER , NOTHING ,MUST WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR IGNITION TO CLEAR IN ORDER TO START . CONDITION HAPPENS RANDOMLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577000 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V154000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2009-05-06 (May 6, 2009)
GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE SEPARATION OF THE ROOM TEMPERATURE VULCANIZING (RTV) SEAL BETWEEN THE SEAL AND THE HOUSING MAY ALLOW WATER TO SEEP INTO THE MODULE.
Consequence: WATER IN THE MODULE COULD CAUSE A SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT, ILLUMINATION OF THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP, SETTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES OR THE ENGINE MAY BE HARD TO START, MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V310000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2009-07-29 (July 29, 2009)
GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, PUERTO RICO, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UTAH. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE LAMP SWITCH THAT MAY NOT WORK AS DESIGNED DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE SWITCH.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. IN THE INTERIM, OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN WHEN THE NEW DESIGN PART BECOMES AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V575000 · Child Seat
Reported: 2010-11-18 (November 18, 2010)
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2011, CHEVROLET COLORADO, GMC CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006, ISUZU I-280/I-350, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008, I-290/I-370, REGULAR CAB VEHICLES AND EXTENDED CAB VEHICLES WITHOUT A REAR SEAT AND EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT 60/40 SPLIT BENCH SEAT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE AND THE OWNER MANUAL DOES NOT INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING HOW TO USE THE TOP TETHER.
Consequence: BOTH NHTSA AND GM DISCOURAGE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A FRONT SEAT. NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REQUIRE PLACEMENT OF A CHILD IN A RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT CENTER SEATING POSITION OF THIS VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT OFFER A REAR SEAT. LACK OF ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR AND A LACK OF INSTRUCTIONS AS TO HOW TO USE IT, MAY RESULT IN IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF A CHILD RESTRAINT CAN RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE RESTRAINT'S PERFORMANCE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD SEATED IN THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT A HOLE INTO THE BACK PANEL TRIM COVER TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THE TOP TETHER ANCHOR FOR THE FRONT CENTER SEAT POSITION AND WILL PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AS TO USE IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727 OR VISIT GM'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗