VehicleVerdict

2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Chevrolet Colorado sits mid-pack among Colorado years: 130 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 130, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (32), brakes (16), and engine (14), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

130

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

16

Fires reported

4

Injuries

3

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Colorado years?

Colorado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted936 complaints2004: 502 complaints2005: 459 complaints2006: 323 complaints2007: 199 complaints2008: 130 complaints2009: 87 complaints2010: 48 complaints2011: 54 complaints2012: 59 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 635 complaints2016: 936 complaints2017: 282 complaints2018: 238 complaints2019: 190 complaints2020: 98 complaints2021: 94 complaints2022: 62 complaints2023: 206 complaints2024: 182 complaints2025: 45 complaints2026: 15 complaints
Colorado NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Colorado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3225%
Brakes1612%
Engine1411%
Airbags1411%
Lighting75%
Transmission75%
Seat Belts65%
Fuel System54%
Tires & Wheels54%
Other54%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Speed Control43%
Suspension43%
Body & Structure32%
Steering32%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V575000Child SeatNovember 18, 2010 · 192,676 units

Defect

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.

09V310000LightingJuly 29, 2009 · 185,903 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. HEATER BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING ON 1, 2, & 3 SETTINGS. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PLUG WERE BURNT, STARTED A MINOR FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT MAKES A LARGE VIBRATION AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 28, 2019 · fire

“I PURCHASED A COLORADO ONE WEEK LATER MY BRAKES WENT OUT. AND I MANAGED NOT TO GET IN A CRASH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT . THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE SITS ON THE LOTS 4 MONTHS AND MONTHS AND STUFF MIGHT WIGGLE LOOSE. OK I FIGURED . THREE WEEKS LATER WHICH WOULD BE 3/5/09 I LEFT WORK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 5, 2009 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 4, 2012 · crash

“I PURCHASED A COLORADO ONE WEEK LATER MY BRAKES WENT OUT. AND I MANAGED NOT TO GET IN A CRASH. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FIXED IT . THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE SITS ON THE LOTS 4 MONTHS AND MONTHS AND STUFF MIGHT WIGGLE LOOSE. OK I FIGURED . THREE WEEKS LATER WHICH WOULD BE 3/5/09 I LEFT WORK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 5, 2009 · fire

“THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP, WHERE IT WILL NOT WORK UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I REPLACED THE HEADLAMPS TO HAVE THE SAME RESULT. ALSO REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE LT HEADLAMP WITH SAME RESULT. THE LEFT HEADLAMP WILL WORK IN HIGH BEAM MODE BUT NOT IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 10, 2012

2008 Chevrolet Colorado — common questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

It is close to typical for the Colorado: 130 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2008 Colorado problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (32 complaints), brakes (16 complaints), engine (14 complaints).

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Colorado years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Colorado years to avoid are 2016, 2015, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2023, 2007. The cleanest record among Colorado years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.