Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Chevrolet Colorado problems

Owners filed 42 complaints about the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado with NHTSA between Apr 2012 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (9).

Complaints
42
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags9
  2. Engine8
  3. Electrical system8
  4. Service brakes7
  5. Steering5
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  7. Engine and engine cooling4
  8. Structure3
  9. Suspension2
  10. Power train2
  11. Exterior lighting2
  12. Fuel/propulsion system1
  13. Seat belts1
  14. Vehicle speed control1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20126
20133
20145
20153
20165
20171
20183
20195
20203
20213
20223
20230
20240
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

9 reports
“The wiring for the airbags runs through a hinge in the extended cab doors. I don’t use my rear doors much, but I would say that I use them a normal amount. Regular opening and closing of the door will cause the wires to break, thus making the airbags inoperable. Normal use of doors should not cause your airbags to not work.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 23, 2021Air bagsODI 11430237

Engine

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. While the contact’s husband was driving into the driveway at the residence, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was parked, and the hood was opened to determine the cause of the failure. The contact’s husband discovered that the serpentine belt had slipped off the pulley because the pulley was fractured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2026EngineODI 11753224

Electrical system

8 reports1 fire
“That truck started on fire. Burnt up. Total . It started on the front passenger side near the motor where the ground plug is located. It had drizzled that day and the ground plug is not water proof. Burnt down a huge 120 long barn with other farm equipment inside. About $250,000 in losses.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2022Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11448074

Service brakes

7 reports1 crash
“Traction control dash light is illuminated and display states "Traction Fault Service Stab Sys". Dealer stated there were no codes present and they did not know the cause. Fault occurs before engine crank and is intermittent, happening 8-9 times out of 10.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2021Service brakesODI 11425894

Steering

5 reports1 crash
“The hub assembly came apart while driving which disabled the steering of the vehicle. We have replaced the hub assemblies 5 times in the last year, due to faulty design of the parts, and were well aware there could be an issue because the first time it happened it didnt lock up completely while driving and would start making a squealing noise. We bought this truck in 2018 with 49000 miles on it and have put 45000 mile on the truck in the last 4 years. That's not excessive and to have to replace an assembly that is supposed to last the lifetime of your vehicle 5 times in a year and a half is ridiculous.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2022Steering, SuspensionCrash reportedODI 11451449

Electronic stability control (esc)

5 reports
“ABS BRAKES AND STABILITRAC LIGHTS ON DASH UPON STARTING, TAKEN TO DEALER ON 11/27/2014, MILES 39138, FAILED AGAIN 12/19/2014, MILES 39780, AND 12/31/2014 FOR SAME PROBLEM. TRUCK IS STILL AT DEALER AS OF 01/16/2015. AFTER FIRST FAILURE BRAKING WAS NOT RIGHT, AND THE TRUCK NEEDS A PART THAT CAN NOT SEEM TO BE FOUND TO DATE. I BELIEVE THIS TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE BRAKE ISSUE, AND WILL NOT KEEP THE TRUCK UPON RETURN, BUT I AM FEARFUL THAT IT WILL BE SOLD TO ANOTHER CONSUMER, AND IT WILL BE INVOLVED IN A TRAGEDY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2015Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 10676150
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

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