2012 Chevrolet Colorado problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (8) · Service Brakes (6) · Engine (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Colorado model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch 2012-12-19 · campaign 12V594000 · 118,800 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:front 2011-11-17 · campaign 11V552000 · 5,593 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,317)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-20 · PIT5214G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of general motors technical assistance center. if va
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,317 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-28 · Engine · 106,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet colorado. while the contact’s husband was driving into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. the vehicle was parked, and the hood was opened to determine the cause of the failure. the contact’s husband discovered that the serpentine belt had slipped off the pulley bec…”
2025-06-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“regarding a fuel leak on my 2012 chevrolet colorado wt, caused by severe corrosion of the in-tank fuel pump module. this issue is of great concern, as it poses a potential fire hazard due to fuel spray near the exhaust system. upon reviewing official documentation, i found that recall 17v-243 appears to address a similar defect affecting 2004–2012 …”
2022-12-09 · Structure:frame And Members · 157,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet colorado. the contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver’s side subframe had fractured due to rust and corrosion. the contact indicated that the fracture was located by the bed of the truck and the cabin of the vehicle. the vehicle was inspected by a welder who advised that …”
2022-02-10 · Suspension · 💥 crash“the hub assembly came apart while driving which disabled the steering of the vehicle. we have replaced the hub assemblies 5 times in the last year, due to faulty design of the parts, and were well aware there could be an issue because the first time it happened it didnt lock up completely while driving and would start making a squealing noise. we …”
2022-01-19 · Electrical System · 🔥 fire“that truck started on fire. burnt up. total . it started on the front passenger side near the motor where the ground plug is located. it had drizzled that day and the ground plug is not water proof. burnt down a huge 120 long barn with other farm equipment inside. about $250,000 in losses. …”
2021-08-23 · Air Bags“the wiring for the airbags runs through a hinge in the extended cab doors. i don’t use my rear doors much, but i would say that i use them a normal amount. regular opening and closing of the door will cause the wires to break, thus making the airbags inoperable. normal use of doors should not cause your airbags to not work. …”
2021-07-21 · Service Brakes“traction control dash light is illuminated and display states "traction fault service stab sys". dealer stated there were no codes present and they did not know the cause. fault occurs before engine crank and is intermittent, happening 8-9 times out of 10. …”
2021-02-12 · Electrical System“vehicle randomly does not start and have to sit 10 minutes before it starts up again. is considered a non running vehicle!…”
2020-12-09 · Suspension · 130,000 mi“popping noise from the front end when turning left or right and applying brakes.come to find out the frame is cracked on both left and right frame rails at the factory welds. this truck has never been in an accident and i'm the original owner. the chevy dealer condemned the truck for safety reasons and said the only repair is to replace the entire …”
2020-11-03 · Air Bags · 140,000 mi“about 3 months ago, the airbag light come on, i've checked the codes it gives me and it b0065, b0066, i've checked all the wires and they are in perfect condition, don't know what to do now…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.