2011 Chevrolet Colorado Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 14

“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 sea…”
NHTSA complaint #11517584, 2023

“I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO TRUCK NOT STARTING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HAVE WENT TO ONE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD NOT HELP ME AFTER AN ENTIRE DAY. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS THAT COULD NOT HELP ME. I HAVE HAD AN INDEPENDENT SHOP TRY TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE TRUCK PERIODICALLY WILL NOT START AND THEN AFTER 15-30 MINUTES IT WILL JUST START. THE COMPUTER WILL NOT PICK UP ANYTHING. THE BATTERY IS GOOD. THE STARTER IS GOOD. THE ALTERNATOR IS GOOD. AFTER GOOGLING TO SEE WHAT OTHERS MIGHT SAY WHICH DID BRING UP ISSUES WITH CHEVROLET, GMC, AND HUMMER…”
NHTSA complaint #11268450, 2019

“PASSIVE LOCK SENSOR FAILS AND YOU HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE TRYING TO RESTART FOR THE CAR TO START”
NHTSA complaint #11228756, 2019

Air Bags 10 3 crash 4 injury

“2011 CHEVY COLORADO. CONSUMER STATES THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11349471, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“THE TRUCK STRUCK ANOTHER LARGER TRUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, HEAD ON, AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ADDITIONAL INJURY TO MYSELF. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10652402, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EVENT DATA RECORDER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS SUPPRESSED, WHICH WAS WHY IT DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,814.”
NHTSA complaint #10448624, 2012 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Exterior Lighting 4

“FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE. THIS SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 05/02/2013. THESE FAILURES COULD CAUSE A REAR END CRASH DUE TO NO BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10625938, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10621990, 2014

“THE STOP LIGHTS WORK INTERMITINLY DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH. GM HAS TSB'S ON MODELS UP TO 2009 FOR THIS ISSUE. WITHOUT OPPERATABLE BRAKE LIGHTS A REAREND CRASH IS LIKLEY. THIS 2011 VEHICLE IS NOT THE FIRST WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10510267, 2013

Unknown Or Other 4

“Frame is rusted through/broken in same spot on both sides. Bed of truck is flipping up and there is no gap left between the bed of the truck and the cab at the top but there is 1.5 inch gap at bottom of bed/cab. The truck only has 56,000 miles and I have only put 26,000 miles on it since I bought it in 2017.”
NHTSA complaint #11424235, 2021

“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 F…”
NHTSA complaint #11324893, 2020

“I THINK THEY NEED CHECK FOR RECALLS ON IGNITION SWITCH FOR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND 2006-2008 HUMMER”
NHTSA complaint #11270961, 2018

Engine 3

“MY VEHICLE AND MANY OTHERS AS WELL SUFFER FROM A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OF THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SAFETY FEATURE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN INSERTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE PASS LOCK FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS A SECURITY LOCK INDICATOR ON THE DASH FLASHES. TO OVERCOME THIS THE IGNITION HAS TO BE PLACED IN THE 'OFF THE ON ' POSITION AND LET IT REMAIN SO FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. AFTER SUCH TIME THE VEHICLE WILL STAR UNTIL A UNDETERMINED TIME THE DISCREPANCY OCCURS AGAIN. BESIDES MY VEHICLE I HAVE FOUND THIS CONDITION TO EXIST ON MANY OWNERS ON…”
NHTSA complaint #11221844, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHSTAR CHEVROLET (400 CENTER ROAD, CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065, (518) 371-5400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING BELT STRETCHED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. A NEW STARTER WAS INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,306. *TT”
NHTSA complaint #11173329, 2018

“15% OF THE TIME MY 2011 CHEVY COLORADO WILL NOT TURN OVER. IT IS COMPLETELY SPORADIC. SOMETIMES IT WON'T START FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, MAKING ME LATE TO WORK. SOMETIMES, I GET ALL THE WAY TO MY DESTINATION, OR TO A GAS STATION AND WHEN I TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT WON'T TURN OVER. EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE, MY RADIO, MY AIR CONDITIONING, ALL MY LIGHTS FUNCTION JUST AS THEY SHOULD BUT MY MOTOR WILL NOT TURN OVER. THERE ARE NO CLICKING NOISES, OR OTHER STARTING NOISES WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE KEY. I HAVE SAT AND TRIED TO START THE CAR 5-100 TIMES, NOTHING. I THOUG…”
NHTSA complaint #10714725, 2014

Seat Belts 3

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED, DRIVER HAD JUST SAT DOWN AND CLOSED THE DOOR. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE SMELL OF GUNPOWDER FILLED THE CAB. DRIVER STEPPED OUT AND OPENED THE REAR DOOR WHICH HOLDS THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE SEATBELT WAS FOUND TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL AND THE BELT WAS LOCKED UP TIGHT AND COULD NOT BE PULLED OUT. A NEW BELT ASSEMBLY WAS ORDERED THROUGH LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A PRICE OF $261.35.”
NHTSA complaint #11399817, 2021

“WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON STEADY. I WENT TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IT WAS FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. IT WAS IN A FAULT SITUATION. IT WAS GIVING 2 CODES FOR THIS BUT WAS NOT TOLD WHAT THEY WERE. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT HAD 2 BROKEN WIRES INSIDE A RUBBER BOOT THAT LEADS FROM THE EXTENDED CAB REAR DOOR TO THE BODY. I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR EXTENDED CABS AS THE WIRING IS TO SHORT AND IS PINCHED WHEN THE REAR DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS. THE WIRES EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CAUSE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO GO INTO A FAULT SITUATION AND NO LONGE…”
NHTSA complaint #10716970, 2015

“MY VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC SAFETY SYSTEM BEGAN TO REPORT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WAS NOT LATCHED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS. I TOOK IT IN FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR AT MY LOCAL GM DEALER (BOB HOOK CHEVROLET, 4144 BARDSTOWN RD., LOUISVILLE KY 40218). HOWEVER, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT PART (DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT, WITH LATCH & WIRES) QUICKLY FAILED THE SAME WAY AS THE FIRST ONE DID. THEREFORE, I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE A SECOND TIME AND THE SAME PART WAS REPLACED AGAIN. FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED ONLINE, IT SEEMS THAT THIS ISSUE MAY LIKELY BE THE SAME ONE THAT A RECALL ON THE 2012 COLOR…”
NHTSA complaint #10651063, 2014

Service Brakes 3 1 crash

“VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH 4 BRAKE CONTROL MODULES, THREE OF WERE BURNT OUT BY THE DEALER INSTALLING THE SOFTWARE. MY CASE IS NOT ISOLATED AS MANY MANY CHEVY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. THE LACK OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL IS A RECIPE FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO A LACK OF CONTROL AND BRAKING ABILITY. I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT DENIALS OF WRONG DOING OR GENERAL INCOMPETENCE FROM GM. I HAVE A FRIEND EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM ON A 2020 CHEVY SILVERADO. WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BECOME SERIOUS MAIMED OR WORSE CASE LOSE THEIR LIFE FOR GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING?”
NHTSA complaint #11308835, 2019 · crash

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11423842, 2021

“NO PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG BUT AFTER AN OIL CHANGE IT HAS COME ON AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE WIRING. UNSAFE AND WILL BE A COSTLY FIX FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO USAGE OF THE REAR DOOR. IT IS AN EXTENDED CAB FOR A REASON! BRAKES ON DRIVERS SIDE GRAB IN THE FRONT. IT SEEMS TO GRAB AND SLIDE TO THE LEFT, VEHICLE IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH REGULAR TIRE ROTATION AND TIRE PRESSURE CHECKS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10563637, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“I THINK THEY NEED CHECK FOR RECALLS ON IGNITION SWITCH FOR 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND 2006-2008 HUMMER”
NHTSA complaint #11270961, 2018

“THEY NEED BE INVESTIGATION ON 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO FOR IGNITION SWITCH AND ALSO ON 2006 HUMMER H3. BOTH VEHICLE WON'T START THEN 20 MIN LATER IT WILL START. HAD BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED OUT AND NOTHING ELSE IS SHOWING UP.”
NHTSA complaint #11270969, 2018

Fuel/Propulsion System 2

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11256934, 2019

“STARTED SMELLING RAW FUEL. THEN HAD A MASSIVE FUEL LEAK, SPRAYING RAW GASOLINE FROM THE FUEL TANK AREA. . FOUND THAT THE FUEL MODULE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. IF I HAD NOT STOPPED DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MASSIVE FIRE”
NHTSA complaint #10993041, 2017

Power Train 2

“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 F…”
NHTSA complaint #11324893, 2020

“SHIFTING LINKAGE BROKE LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR (DRIVE) AND I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT AT ALL. THIS FAILURE HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10692595, 2015

Structure 2

“THE REAR DOOR ON THE EXTENDED CAB FAILS TO COMPLETELY LATCH ALLOWING THE DOOR TO MOVE IN AND OUT WHEN TRAVELING ON UNEVEN SURFACES.”
NHTSA complaint #10873150, 2016

“WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON STEADY. I WENT TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON IT WAS FOR THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER. IT WAS IN A FAULT SITUATION. IT WAS GIVING 2 CODES FOR THIS BUT WAS NOT TOLD WHAT THEY WERE. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION IT HAD 2 BROKEN WIRES INSIDE A RUBBER BOOT THAT LEADS FROM THE EXTENDED CAB REAR DOOR TO THE BODY. I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR EXTENDED CABS AS THE WIRING IS TO SHORT AND IS PINCHED WHEN THE REAR DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS. THE WIRES EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CAUSE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO GO INTO A FAULT SITUATION AND NO LONGE…”
NHTSA complaint #10716970, 2015

Tires 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES, SIZE 265/70R/17 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS APKP495X3812. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE ALSO HAD PIN HOLES. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION; THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10557152, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET COLORADO WITH GENERAL GENERAL USA TIRES, SIZE P215/70R16, DOT NUMBER: 4309. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD BLOWN. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10436219, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“ON FEBRUARY 14, 2012 I WAS DRIVING ON A CLEAN, DRY, STRAIGHT, AND LEVEL ROAD AT 35MPH. I WAS NOT ACCELERATING, BRAKING, OR CORNERING. THE ALARM BELL RANG AND THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY INDICATED "TRACTION FAULT, REDUCED POWER, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM". THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED IT'S ENGINE POWER TO THE POINT IT COULD NOT BE SAFELY OPERATED IN TRAFFIC. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE WITH TRAFFIC, MERGE, OR MAKE A LEFT TURN. I WAS ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE DEALER. I DROVE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT RIGHT AWAY. THEY TOLD ME I HAD NO APPOINTMENT SO THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT IT. I GO…”
NHTSA complaint #10450788, 2012

Steering 1

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10563937, 2012

Suspension 1

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11647332, 2025