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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2008 Chevrolet ColoradoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado. Most complaints involve electrical system (32) and air bags (14). The EPA rates it 15–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–20mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
81
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Child seat

Free remedy

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.

Child seatReported Nov 18, 2010NHTSA 10V575000

Exterior lighting: switch

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported Jul 29, 2009NHTSA 09V310000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

81 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2008 – Nov 2025
  1. Electrical system32
  2. Air bags14
  3. Engine8
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic8
  5. Power train7
  6. Exterior lighting7
  7. Service brakes7
  8. Seat belts6
  9. Engine and engine cooling6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Colorado model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004361
2005356
2006236
2007140
200881
200967
201029
201142
201242
2015498
2016716
2017216
2018183
2019150
202088
202180
202256
2023138
2024126
202528
202620
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

32 reports4 fires
“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 VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN CAN'T GET IT TO TURN BACK ON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2019Power train, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11271747

Air bags

14 reports3 crashes1 fire
“SITTING IN A PARKING LOT NONE WITHIN 100 FEET OF ME MY KEYS WERE ON PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE AIR BAG EXPLOIDED THEN ON JANUARY 2019 BATTERY WENT DEAD PUT NEW BATTERY IN IT THEN ON FEBRUARY 13 LOST ALL POWER TO DASH STILL HAD ALL OTHER POWER BUT WHEN I TURNED IT OFF WILL NOT DO ANYTHING HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER SAID IT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE PUT IT IN AND STILL NOTHING I THINK IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE AIR BAG”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 16, 2019Electrical system, Air bags, EngineODI 11180464

Engine

8 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, IT SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS INCREASED TO 2000 AND THEN DROPPED TO 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE SWITCHING GEARS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT CALLED BILLION AUTO-CHEVY BUICK GMC CADILLAC OF IOWA CITY AT (319) 359-6905 (LOCATED AT 2733 MORMON TREK BLVD, IOWA CITY, IA 52240) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WHEN THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2018EngineODI 11121970
All 2008 Colorado problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.9L 4-cyl · 3.7L 5-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Colorado 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Colorado 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Colorado 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Colorado 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,550494
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Colorado Crew Cab 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 4, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado as of Nov 4, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 4, 2026Vehicle 2803Vehicle 2567Vehicle 2566
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Colorado questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 4, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (32), air bags (14), engine (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado at 15–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 4, 2026