2012 Chevrolet COLORADO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
43,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 42 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 26.2% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 21.4% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Air Bags: 9; Engine: 8; Electrical System: 7; Service Brakes: 7; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Steering: 5; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train: 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 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 6; 2013: 3; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 10455789 · 2012-04-19 (April 19, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT THE SAME SPEED AS THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ONCE THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FURTHER INSPECTED TO ASSESS ANY POSSIBLE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,350.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461455 · 2012-06-13 (June 13, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE MUFFLER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. ...UPDATED 07/19/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD MIS-FIRE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COLD, AND IT WOULD LOSE POWER AFTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462593 · 2012-06-21 (June 21, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED BUT THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, A FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED B…
Owner-reported narrative. 380 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10475140 · 2012-09-12 (September 12, 2012)
AT APPROXIMATELY 350 MILES ON THE TRUCK ODOMETER, THE DASHBOARD WARNING MODULE ON MY NEW 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO PICKUP TRUCK ILLUMINATED WITH "SERVICE STAB SYS". THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ON UNTIL I PARKED THE TRUCK. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALER TOLD ME TO IGNORE THE WARNING LIGHT. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAULT CODE STORED THAT REFLECTED A STABILITY PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT NO SUCH WARNING COULD HAVE ILLUMINATED OR IT WOULD BE IN THE MEMORY OF THE VEHICLE??S COMPUTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10475140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10486511 · 2012-11-30 (November 30, 2012)
2012 CHEVY COLORADO EXTENDED CAB 2X4 I4 ENGINE LT1. THE PROBLEM IS IN THE STEERING. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY HARD TURNING. THE STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER AT MORE THAN 30 DEGREASE WHEN AFTER MAKING A TURN. WHEN STARTING OUT, TURN WHEEL 90 DEGREASE AND THEN PROCEED FORWARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL STAY IN THIS POSITION AND CAR WILL JUST DRIVE IN CIRCLES. TOOK TO ANDREW CHEVY HAD SAE CERTIFIED TEK TEST DRIVE, STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. ANDREW CALLED AND SAID IT WOULD NEED A NEW RACK AND PINION, REPLACED. STILL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10486511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489353 · 2012-12-20 (December 20, 2012)
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 AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP ONCE. THE STEERING CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,550.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522375 · 2013-07-09 (July 9, 2013)
2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE NOT ISSUE, AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE ISSUE WAS A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. LATER IN THE WEEK, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SPUN B…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10522375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557107 · 2013-12-23 (December 23, 2013)
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 AGAIN, AND THEY CAN'T FIND A REASON. THEY KEEP IT A WEEK (STATIC) AND SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. BUT IT WORKS WHEN I LEAVE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557107 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V552000 · Seat Belts:Front
Reported: 2011-11-17 (November 17, 2011)
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." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINALS THAT DO NOT FIT SNUGLY WITH THE CONNECTOR PINS, CAUSING THE CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
Reported: 2012-12-19 (December 19, 2012)
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. 113, "Hood Latch System." The hood may be missing the secondary hood latch.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗