NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado. Most complaints involve electrical system (14) and air bags (10). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.
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.
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."
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Colorado model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 361 |
| 2005 | 356 |
| 2006 | 236 |
| 2007 | 140 |
| 2008 | 81 |
| 2009 | 67 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2015 | 498 |
| 2016 | 716 |
| 2017 | 216 |
| 2018 | 183 |
| 2019 | 150 |
| 2020 | 88 |
| 2021 | 80 |
| 2022 | 56 |
| 2023 | 138 |
| 2024 | 126 |
| 2025 | 28 |
| 2026 | 20 |
“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.”
“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.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAD SLIGHTLY DETACHED BECAUSE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SLIGHTLY DETACHED AND THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE PARKING LAMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PARKING LAMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Colorado 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Colorado 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Colorado 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.9 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Colorado 2WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Colorado 4WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Colorado Crew Cab 2WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Colorado Cab Chassis inc 4WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Colorado Cab Chassis inc 2WD Auto 4-spd, 5 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Colorado 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Colorado 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,000 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 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.
Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (14), air bags (10), exterior lighting (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).