2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls

2011 Chevrolet Colorado recalls (5)

• Recall 12V594000Dec 19, 2012118,800 vehicles
  LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 11V337000Jun 28, 20116,768 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

  General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.9 or 3.7 liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect," and federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles may have been built with an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position. If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the prndl shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear. The driver could move the shifter to "park" and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in "park."

  Risk: The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle could roll away as the driver or other occupants exit the vehicle or have exited, resulting in the possibility of the vehicle striking them or someone around the vehicle, or could result in a crash without prior warning.

  Remedy: Gm dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about july 19, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

• Recall 11V276000May 6, 20114,674 vehicles
  VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

  General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 chevrolet colorado and gmc canyon vehicles manufactured from september 22, 2010, through november 5, 2010. Some of these vehicles have the condition in which the windshield wiper motor crank arm nut may not be tightened to specification. When the wipers are operated with a build-up of snow or ice, or if the wipers are operated on a dry windshield, the nut could loosen. If there is sufficient loosening of the nut, the wipers could become inoperative.

  Risk: Driver visibility could be reduced increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will secure the wiper motor crank arm nut free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before may 11, 2011. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or www.gmownercenter.com.

• Recall 11V007000Jan 6, 201130,566 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE

  General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, colorado, express, silverado, suburban, tahoe; and gmc canyon, sierra, savana, yukon and yukon xl vehicles. The rear axle cross pins were not properly heat treated and could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. Should the pin shift out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock.

  Risk: The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without warning.

  Remedy: Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on january 11, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

• Recall 10V575000Nov 18, 2010192,676 vehicles
  CHILD SEAT

  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.

  Risk: 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.

Recent 2011 Chevrolet Colorado complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Mar 10, 2025FLSuspension

   Excessive frame corrosion that has caused the bed of the truck to touch the cab which has made me apprehensive to drive it. The truck has ROT holes on the bottom sections of the frame where water collects. The truck is available for inspection upon request at any time. The problem has not been inspected by a dealer, independent service center, vehicle manufacturer, police or insurance representative. However, I have 40 years experience of being an automobile technician and…

   NHTSA complaint #11647332 · source
2. Filed Apr 18, 2023NYElectrical System

   The vehicle has an electronic issue where it does not recognize the original key to the car. It does not let you start the vehicle. There is a bad sensor in the ignition lock housing unit located where the key is inserted into the vehicle. This issue will nit let the driver start the car and the problem happens at random. For me it is 1 out of 20 times i try to start my vehicle it does not start due to this issue. This is a dangerous situation for me, as I live in a cold…

   NHTSA complaint #11517584 · source
3. Filed Mar 3, 2022MDAirbags

   The drivers-side airbag indicator light remains on. The light warns that the airbag is not working. This is the third time it has happened, first at 89,000 miles, then at 111,000 miles, and now at 133,000 miles. Previous repairs were for broken wires in the wire harness to the extended cab rear door. Wiring in the harness for the airbag is related to the seat belt tensioner. This is a defect that was reported to NHTSA by several others, some of whom were injured in…

   NHTSA complaint #11455060 · source
4. Filed Jul 10, 2021OHOther / Unknown

   Frame is rusted through/broken in same spot on both sides. Bed of truck is flipping up and there is no gap left between the bed of the truck and the cab at the top but there is 1.5 inch gap at bottom of bed/cab. The truck only has 56,000 miles and I have only put 26,000 miles on it since I bought it in 2017.

   NHTSA complaint #11424235 · source
5. Filed Jul 7, 2021MSBrakes

   Brake lights will not come on. There is no fuse and lights are new. Many people have reported this as a problem. Has something to do with some switch that the dealer must replace. I have driver nearly 2000 miles this month without any idea the brake lights were not working until I could not get the cruise control to work. After some research it was discovered the cruise control is associated with the switch

   NHTSA complaint #11423842 · source
6. Filed Mar 8, 202196,150 miAKSeats & Seat Belts

   Vehicle was parked, driver had just sat down and closed the door. A loud bang was heard from the driver's side and the smell of gunpowder filled the cab. Driver stepped out and opened the rear door which holds the seat belt assembly. The seatbelt was found to be the source of the smell and the belt was locked up tight and could not be pulled out. A new belt assembly was ordered through local dealership at a price of $261.35.

   NHTSA complaint #11399817 · source
7. Filed Sep 1, 202065,000 miNJElectrical System

   The vehicle will intermittently not start. Sometimes there's power but won't crank. Sometimes there is no power to the vehicle at all. It has been to numerous mechanics, including the dealer, and no problems can be found. The vehicle is utterly unreliable.

   NHTSA complaint #11352486 · source
8. Filed May 17, 2020144,000 miKSOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   One day my vehicle started getting a little shake. So i pulled in to an old welding shop i used to work at. I asked my old boss if he would get in the truck, to do a little diagnostic check. Basically guess what could be wrong. He said something wasn't right, and told me to jack up the back of the truck. Before i even did, i noticed oil all over the spare tire. I then look to the axle house group, and it was broke in half. He has been working as a mechanic for 30 plus years.…

   NHTSA complaint #11324893 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology