VehicleVerdict

2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 54 owner complaints run below the Colorado median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 16 reports (30% of the total).

54

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Colorado years?

See all Colorado years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1630%
Airbags1019%
Other47%
Engine47%
Lighting47%
Seat Belts36%
Brakes36%
Fuel System24%
Tires & Wheels24%
Transmission24%
Body & Structure24%
Steering12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

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

12V594000Latches & LocksDecember 19, 2012 · 118,800 units

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.

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.

11V337000TransmissionJune 28, 2011 · 6,768 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

11V276000Visibility & WipersMay 6, 2011 · 4,674 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V007000SuspensionJanuary 6, 2011 · 30,566 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WIRING HARNESS WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A SECOND TIME AND THE WIRING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 14, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHSTAR CHEVROLET (400 CENTER ROAD, CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065, [PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT STRETCHED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. A NEW STARTER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 9, 2014

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 1, 2021

2011 Chevrolet Colorado — common questions

Is the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 54 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Colorado year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2011 Colorado problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (16 complaints), airbags (10 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 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.