Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

42 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
5

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 2software faults 1transmission slipping 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEWMAN CHEVROLET (262-421-4807, LOCATED AT 1181 WAUWATOSA RD, CEDARBURG, WI 53012) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11256934 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
16

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 4electrical shorts 1
A recent report: 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…
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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 weather state in the US. I have been left stranded dozens of times because the car doesn’t recognize the key. If you search “chevy colorado passlock” hundreds of videos will come up, each video with thousands of views (from users like myself). GM charges hundreds to fix the issue. It is a well known issue with this vehicle. I fixed the issue myself. I replaced the faulty sensor and the issue is gone.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11517584 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 1
A recent report: 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…
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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

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11423842 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
3

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1
A recent report: FRONT TIRES RUB FENDER WELLS AND SWAY BAY. EMPTY OR LOADED, MORE SO WHEN LOADED. THEY RUB THE SWAY BAR SO BAD THAT I CANNOT RUN A HEAVY LUG TIRE. A HEAVY LUG TIRE CAUSES WHEEL LOCKUP WHEN STEERING IS…
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FRONT TIRES RUB FENDER WELLS AND SWAY BAY. EMPTY OR LOADED, MORE SO WHEN LOADED. THEY RUB THE SWAY BAR SO BAD THAT I CANNOT RUN A HEAVY LUG TIRE. A HEAVY LUG TIRE CAUSES WHEEL LOCKUP WHEN STEERING IS AT FULL LOCK. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH. GM DEALER HAS SAID THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE AND THAT I NEED TO LIVE WITH IT, JUST TO BE CAREFUL WHEN RUNNING A LUG TIRE. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10563937 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 5electrical shorts 4software faults 2
A recent report: 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…
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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 accidents. The repair is costly; the dealer charged around $400.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11455060 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
3

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 2
A recent report: 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…
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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 am qualified to make the above claims. Thank you for your assistance.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11647332 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
1

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 1
A recent report: 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…
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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. HE SAID, 'THAT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN ANYONE BREAK THERE HOUSE GROUP. MY TRUCK ALSO HAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11324893 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 42 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2025, roughly 3 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.