Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 4 NHTSA variants

2010 Chevrolet ColoradoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado. Most complaints involve electrical system (12) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Dec 2012
Owner complaints
29
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Dec 19, 2012NHTSA 12V594000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2010 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system12
  2. Engine5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Power train3
  5. Service brakes3
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Exterior lighting2
  8. Tires2
  9. Engine and engine cooling2

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
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

12 reports
“I bought this chevy colorado a few months ago, vehicle with 65k, and unfortunately, for safety reasons, I could not drive it for more than 10” miles so far, because every time I drove it, I ran serious risks of causing an accident , which could even be fatal, as the vehicle simply turns off (turns off) when being driven, no matter where it is, and it takes a few minutes for it to restart, and this has happened to me several times in high traffic places. I've taken it to a few repair shops and electrics, but the problem hasn't been resolved. The chevy is a vehicle in excellent condition and has low mileage, and unfortunately due to some quality problem, which did not come from the factory, I am unable to enjoy it and drive it with pleasure. I count on the help of this great company that is NHTSA to solve this problem, and give me the joy of being able to drive my 2010 chevy colorado.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11509163

Engine

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO JOE BASIL CHEVROLET (5111 TRANSIT RD, DEPEW, NY 14043, (716) 650-4791) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHASSIS ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2018EngineODI 11083106

Air bags

4 reports
“AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. GOOGLE SEARCHED AND FOUND DOZENS OF REPEATED EXPLANATIONS OF THE CAUSE ON VEHICLE & MODEL YEARS ON EACH SIDE OF MINE. THE WIRING FROM THE BODY TO THE SMALL REAR EXTENDED CAB DOOR IS TOO SHORT AND BREAKS AS THE DOOR IS USED. ONE OF THE WIRES IS IN THE AIRBAG CIRCUIT AND THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES WHEN THE WIRE BREAKS. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE RUBBER WIRE PROTECTION BOOT BETWEEN THE BODY & THE DOOR, IT CLEARLY REVEALED INSUFFICIENT WIRE LENGTH TO ACCOMMODATE THE DOOR ACTUATION. CLEARLY A DESIGN ERROR AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. NO CAMPAIGN ON IT PER THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2015Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10810763
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 5, 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 · 5.3L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-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 5, 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
182521$3,050423
Colorado 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172320$3,200444
Colorado 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Colorado 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,550494
Colorado 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,800523
Colorado 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Crew Cab 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Colorado 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado as of Nov 5, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 5, 2026Vehicle 5686Vehicle 5881Vehicle 5685
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

2010 Colorado questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 5, 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 2010 Chevrolet Colorado problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (12), engine (5), air bags (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 5, 2026