2012 Chevrolet Colorado Problems & Owner Complaints

Air Bags 9

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11430237, 2021

“ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON, I'VE CHECKED THE CODES IT GIVES ME AND IT B0065, B0066, I'VE CHECKED ALL THE WIRES AND THEY ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION, DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW”
NHTSA complaint #11372893, 2020

“SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK WITH 33000 MILE ON IT IN JUNE OF 2018 THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND HAS CONTINUED TO REMAIN LIT SINCE THAT TIME. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRRANTY, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED.”
NHTSA complaint #11197345, 2018

Electrical System 8 1 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11448074, 2021 · fire

“THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WENT OUT. I GOOGLED IT AND SEEN THERE ARE TONS OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WENT TO START TRUCK AND IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING.”
NHTSA complaint #11355382, 2020

“VEHICLE RANDOMLY DOES NOT START AND HAVE TO SIT 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT STARTS UP AGAIN. IS CONSIDERED A NON RUNNING VEHICLE!”
NHTSA complaint #11395914, 2019

Engine 8 1 crash 1 fire 2 injury

“WAS TRAVELING SOUTH GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH IN A LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN, WHEN THE DESIGNATED GREEN ARROW IS NOT ILLUMINATED, TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND WE COLLIDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER IN VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTH SUSTAINED INJURIES AND TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL IN AMBULANCE.”
NHTSA complaint #10783275, 2015 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED BUT THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AN UNKNOWN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, A FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FA…”
NHTSA complaint #10462593, 2012 · 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11753224, 2026

Service Brakes 7 1 crash

“I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING TO WORK AT 5:00 AM WITH ALMOST NO TRAFFIC. A PICKUP TRUCK IN THE NEXT LANE LEFT OF ME HAD A PIECE OF PLYWOOD EJECTED FROM THE BED AND WAS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR TOWARDS THE FRONT OF MY PICKUP. I SAW IT COMING AT ME AND I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ONCE BUT MY TRUCK DID NOT SLOW TO AVOID IT AND THE PLYWOOD DESTROYED THE FRONT NOSE (GRILL, LIGHTS AND ALL FRONT GRILL EMBLEMS AND SO FORTH). IT WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY TRUCK HAS HAD BAD BRAKES SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR WITH NO RESOLUTION. MY TRUCK IS AT TOM B…”
NHTSA complaint #10585807, 2012 · 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11425894, 2021

“ABS MODULE LIGHT GM ISN'T MAKING THE MODULE TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND HAS NO PLANS TO MAKE MORE. THIS MEANS THIS ISSUE CANNOT BE FIXED.”
NHTSA complaint #11189777, 2019

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 5

“I KEEP GETTING WARNING. SERVICE STAB SYSTEM. WHAT I HAVE READ ON LINE IS THAT THIS IS A GM COMPUTER PROBLEM THAT GM DOESN'T WANT TO FIX”
NHTSA complaint #11141594, 2018

“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”
NHTSA complaint #10676150, 2014

“THE "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. IT DOES THAT REPEATEDLY. THE CHEVROLET DEALER, JIM COOK CHEVROLET IN MARION, NC, SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE LIGHT OR DETECT A CODE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT IS MEANINGLESS AND I SHOULD DISREGARD IT. THE USER MANUAL STATES THAT IF THIS LIGHT COMES ON THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY PARKED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY FOR THE YEAR I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION, MAY O…”
NHTSA complaint #10639499, 2013

Steering 5 1 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 r…”
NHTSA complaint #11451449, 2022 · crash

“POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND APPLYING BRAKES.COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRAME RAILS AT THE FACTORY WELDS. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CHEVY DEALER CONDEMNED THE TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS AND SAID THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME.”
NHTSA complaint #11382757, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BRACKET HAD FRACTURED, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE BELT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DICK SHIRLEY CHEVROLET, 2616 ALAMANCE RD, BURLINGTON, NC 27215) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BRACKET FRACTURED AND THE BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORME…”
NHTSA complaint #11097065, 2018

Engine And Engine Cooling 4

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BRACKET HAD FRACTURED, WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE BELT TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DICK SHIRLEY CHEVROLET, 2616 ALAMANCE RD, BURLINGTON, NC 27215) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BRACKET FRACTURED AND THE BELT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORME…”
NHTSA complaint #11097065, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL WHISTLING NOISE WAS HEARD AND GREW WORSE OVER THE PAST MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD A CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11084925, 2017

“2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE NOT ISSUE, AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE ISSUE WAS A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. LATER IN THE WEEK, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SPUN BEARING THAT CAUSED THE ISSUES. THE CONSUMER WAS TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10522375, 2013

Structure 3 2 crash 2 injury

“WAS TRAVELING SOUTH GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH IN A LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN, WHEN THE DESIGNATED GREEN ARROW IS NOT ILLUMINATED, TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND WE COLLIDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER IN VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTH SUSTAINED INJURIES AND TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL IN AMBULANCE.”
NHTSA complaint #10783275, 2015 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING TO WORK AT 5:00 AM WITH ALMOST NO TRAFFIC. A PICKUP TRUCK IN THE NEXT LANE LEFT OF ME HAD A PIECE OF PLYWOOD EJECTED FROM THE BED AND WAS FLYING THROUGH THE AIR TOWARDS THE FRONT OF MY PICKUP. I SAW IT COMING AT ME AND I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ONCE BUT MY TRUCK DID NOT SLOW TO AVOID IT AND THE PLYWOOD DESTROYED THE FRONT NOSE (GRILL, LIGHTS AND ALL FRONT GRILL EMBLEMS AND SO FORTH). IT WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY TRUCK HAS HAD BAD BRAKES SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR WITH NO RESOLUTION. MY TRUCK IS AT TOM B…”
NHTSA complaint #10585807, 2012 · crash

“The contact owns a 2012 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the driver’s side subframe had fractured due to rust and corrosion. The contact indicated that the fracture was located by the bed of the truck and the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a welder who advised that the damaged was too severe to repair and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 157,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11496703, 2022

Exterior Lighting 2

“THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON OUR 2012 CHEVY COLORADO. FROM REVIEW, CHEVY HAS RECALLED COLORADOS OF DIFFERENT YEARS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO OTHER YEARS AS THIS PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN LATER MODELS THAN THE MOST CURRENT RECALL YEAR OF 2009. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAIL ON ANY OF OUR OTHER VEHICLES. SEEMS MORE THAN COINCIDENTAL THAT IT WOULD OCCUR ON OUR COLORADO, WHEN THERE WAS A RECALL PREVIOUSLY ON THE SAME MODEL, BUT DIFFERENT MANUFACTURE YEARS. CHEVY SHOULD PAY FOR OUR REPAIR AS WELL AS RECALL THIS P…”
NHTSA complaint #10608139, 2014

“AT FIRST, TRUCK SHOWED TPS ALARM ,THEN STABILITY ALARM ,NEXT IT HAD THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT @ 70 MPH FOR 15-30 SECONDS. IT HAS SHOWN THESE PROBLEMS SEPARATELY AND SIMULTANEOUSLY AT DIFFERENT TIMES. FINALLY IT MANIFESTED A NEW SYMPTOM I WOULD INTERMITTENTLY NOT CRANK THE ENGINE OVER EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS AT FULL CHARGE. AFTER REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALER(THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM) WITH NO EFFECT OR IMPROVEMENT, A CALL TO CHEVROLET NETTED A CASE NUMBER #71-1257538002. AS A RESULT OF THIS CALL( I FEEL) WORK WAS RESTARTED ON THE VEHICLE. AS OF…”
NHTSA complaint #10557270, 2013

Power Train 2 1 crash 2 injury

“WAS TRAVELING SOUTH GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ON A GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH IN A LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN, WHEN THE DESIGNATED GREEN ARROW IS NOT ILLUMINATED, TURNED IN FRONT OF ME AND WE COLLIDED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER IN VEHICLE TRAVELING SOUTH SUSTAINED INJURIES AND TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL IN AMBULANCE.”
NHTSA complaint #10783275, 2015 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE WAS INFORMED THE ISSUE WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE PARTS REPLACED IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE NOT ISSUE, AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE ISSUE WAS A LOOSE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. LATER IN THE WEEK, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SPUN BEARING THAT CAUSED THE ISSUES. THE CONSUMER WAS TH…”
NHTSA complaint #10522375, 2013

Suspension 2 1 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 r…”
NHTSA complaint #11451449, 2022 · crash

“POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND APPLYING BRAKES.COME TO FIND OUT THE FRAME IS CRACKED ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRAME RAILS AT THE FACTORY WELDS. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CHEVY DEALER CONDEMNED THE TRUCK FOR SAFETY REASONS AND SAID THE ONLY REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRAME.”
NHTSA complaint #11382757, 2020

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“Regarding a fuel leak on my 2012 Chevrolet Colorado WT, caused by severe corrosion of the in-tank fuel pump module. This issue is of great concern, as it poses a potential fire hazard due to fuel spray near the exhaust system. Upon reviewing official documentation, I found that Recall 17V-243 appears to address a similar defect affecting 2004–2012 Colorado and Canyon models with corrosion-prone fuel tank assemblies and retaining rings. However, my VIN does not currently show as part of that recall on NHTSA.gov. The only warning sign of a problem per GM protocol is detecting the odor of gasolin…”
NHTSA complaint #11669344, 2025

Seat Belts 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESET THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND A LOUD POP SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE ODOR OF GUN POWDER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR EXPLODED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STILL NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WAS REPLAC…”
NHTSA complaint #10865353, 2016

Unknown Or Other 1

“SHUT OFF, DO NOT LOCK, TRY TO START AND THE CAR WITH THE PADLOCK IS LIT UP AND I CANNOT START THE PICKUP. HIT LOCK, UNLOCK, STILL WON'T GET RID OF CAR/PADLOCK LIGHT.. GET OUT HIT LOCK, UNLOCK. STILL WON'T GET RID OF CAR/PADLOCK LIGHT. I HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS UNTIL THE LIGHT GOES OFF SO I CAN START THE PICKUP. HAS HAPPEDED TWICE IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS.”
NHTSA complaint #10908151, 2016

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT THE SAME SPEED AS THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ONCE THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE RENTAL COMPANY WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE FURTHER INSPECTED TO ASSESS ANY POSSIBLE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,350.”
NHTSA complaint #10455789, 2012