RoadVitals

2008 Chevrolet Colorado Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Nov 26, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
40%
of 81 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words

AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 26, 2020

THE ELECTRIC INGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING ON THIS AND A MILLION TRUCKS IN THE COUNTRY PLEASE FIX THIS 10 MINUTE WAITING TIME TO START

NHTSA ID
11376406
Incident
Nov 1, 2020
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 29, 2019
Fire reported

THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. HEATER BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING ON 1, 2, & 3 SETTINGS. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PLUG WERE BURNT, STARTED A MINOR FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. WHEN I TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT MAKES A LARGE VIBRATION AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN CAN'T GET IT TO TURN BACK ON.

NHTSA ID
11271747
Incident
Oct 28, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 16, 2019

THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM WILL NOT LET THE TRUCK START, I HAVE HAD THIS SAME COMPLAINT/PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS, HAVE HAD IN MANY SHOPS FOR SAME ISSUE, YES EACH ONE REPLACED SOMETHING/FIXED IT FOR A SUM OF MONEY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY LEAVING ME STRANDED ONCE AGAIN. IF I CAN GET IT RUNNING IT APPEARS MY ONLY FIX IS TO SELL/TRADE IT AND PASS THIS VERY PROBLEMATIC TRUCK ON TO OTHER.ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID
11244356
Incident
Aug 15, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 11, 2019

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. ALL BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING; NO LONGER ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS INCLUDES THE TOP LAMP, ABOVE THE BACK WINDOW. THERE IS A RECALL NUMBER 09V310000 THAT DESCRIBES THIS SITUATION, BUT ONLY GOOD FOR CERTAIN STATES. IN PROCESS OF BRINGING TO CERTIFIED CHEVY DEALER FOR FORMAL DIAGNOSIS. REQUESTING CONSIDERATION ON EXPANDING THE CURRENT RECALL TO INCLUDE NJ, WHERE MY TRUCK IS REGISTERED. CRITICAL SAFETY HAZARD, AS CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11195569
Incident
Apr 10, 2019
Mileage
125,657 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 16, 2019

SITTING IN A PARKING LOT NONE WITHIN 100 FEET OF ME MY KEYS WERE ON PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE AIR BAG EXPLOIDED THEN ON JANUARY 2019 BATTERY WENT DEAD PUT NEW BATTERY IN IT THEN ON FEBRUARY 13 LOST ALL POWER TO DASH STILL HAD ALL OTHER POWER BUT WHEN I TURNED IT OFF WILL NOT DO ANYTHING HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER SAID IT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE PUT IT IN AND STILL NOTHING I THINK IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE AIR BAG

NHTSA ID
11180464
Incident
Jun 12, 2018
Mileage
91,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 28, 2018

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING ON 1, 2, & 3 SETTINGS. BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND PLUG WERE BURNT AND COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE.

NHTSA ID
11114283
Incident
Jul 27, 2018
Electrical
Filed May 24, 2018

INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WIHERE THE PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED WITHOUT INTERVENTION AND TRUCK WILL NOT START. I AM THE NEW OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE (3 WEEKS) PROBLEM BEGAN 10 DAYS AGO. HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES (TWICE IN ONE DAY). RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11097780
Incident
May 22, 2018
Mileage
23,723 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 21, 2017

A WELL KNOWN, RESEARCHED PROBLEM EXIST WITH MY MODEL TRUCK AND SEVERAL OTHER GM CARS WITH THE SECURITY PASSCODE WHICH CAUSES THE IGNITION TO FAIL THEREBY FORCING A WAIT TIME OF 10 MINUTES TO START THE CAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE STUCK ON A RAILROAD CROSSING OR IF A FLOOD IS ABOUND OR SHOULD FOR EXAMPLE A RAGING LUNATIC HAPPENS TO BE IN CHASE WITH A WEAPON. SHOULD ANY OF THESE HAPPEN GM WOULD BE LOOKING AT MULTI MILLIONS PAYOUT TO VICTIMS. I CALLED AND EXPLAINED THIS TO THEM BUT TO MY AMAZEMENT, THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS KNOW FOR COLORADO, CANYON, HUMMER, IMPALA, HHR, COLBALT VEHICLES. THIS FAILURE TO START HAPPENS REPEATEDLY ALBEIT INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ID
11018656
Incident
Aug 20, 2017
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2017

83000 MILES ON VEHICLE. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM ON. SMOKE AND PUNGENT ODOR STARTED EMANATING FROM PASSENGER SIDE WITH AIR BLOWER MOTOR ON, FOLLOWED BY BLOWER MOTOR STOP WORKING. INVESTIGATION SHOWED CONNECTOR ON BLOWER MOTOR WAS MELTED RESULTING IN A BAD CONNECTION TO THE MOTOR. REPLACED THE HARNESS AND AFTER 2000 MILES, AGAIN BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR MELTED.

NHTSA ID
11015485
Incident
Aug 15, 2017
Mileage
83,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 27, 2016

THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. YOU GET IN THE VEHICLE TO GO SOMEWHERE AND IT WONT START. EVERYTHING COMES ON, LIGHTS, RADIO, A/C BUT IT WONT CRANK. LET IT SIT 10-20 MINUTES AND IT CRANKS RIGHT UP. AND IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT MAY HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN A WEEK THEN GO 2 MONTHS OR LONGER WITHOUT HAPPENING AGAIN. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO BE LATE FOR WORK, SITTING A THE GAS STATION MANY MANY TIMES!. I HAVE TRIED USING THE KEY FOB AND JUST USING THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS!

NHTSA ID
10919734
Incident
Oct 27, 2016
Mileage
105,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 12, 2016

VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS ON, VERY SCARY WHEN IN PARKING LOTS. STOPS WHILE CRUISE IS ON. ITS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE AUGUST 2016. WE HAVE TRIED CLEANING THROTTLE BODY. BUT SINCE IT DOESN'T DO IT WHILE THE CRUISE IS ON. WE HAVE TO ASSUME THEIR IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10915479
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 23, 2016

WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT MY VEHICLE DIES IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR 2 WEEKS EVERY DAY

NHTSA ID
10861043
Incident
Apr 22, 2016
Mileage
156,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE APPEARING UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATER FAN RELAY WAS BURNING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID
10788140
Incident
Jan 22, 2013
Mileage
144,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 23, 2015

IF YOU LEAVE IT SET FOR A DAY IT WILL NOT START NEW BATTERY AND ALTANATOR WAS TESTED IT WAS GOOD . AND AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON .

NHTSA ID
10736158
Incident
Jan 22, 2014
Mileage
57,600 mi
AirbagsElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jun 25, 2015

DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR WIRING HARNESS BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME. 3 WIRES ARE BROKEN INSIDE BOOT. THIS IS SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. LASTED 3 YEARS. I HAVE PICTURES. PART NUMBER 15214393 JUNE 10 2012 AIR BAG LIGHT ON DASH. ONSTAR TOLD ME THAT SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS NOT OPERATING, AND AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY UNTIL IT IS CORRECTED. FOUND THAT DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR THAT 2 WIRES WERE BROKEN IN THE HARNESS IN THE BETWEEN DOOR AND BODY IN BOOT. GM PART NUMBER 15214393. I HAVE PICTURES. THIS IS A PROBLEM AND STILL NO RECALL. NO AIR BAGS TILL FIXED.

NHTSA ID
10730477
Incident
Jun 25, 2015
Mileage
174,512 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 15, 2015

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, AN IT IS STILL HAPPENING TO THIS DAY. WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE AIR IS COOL. AT IDLE THE RUM'S FLUCTUATE ABOUT 100 RPM ON DAYS IT HAPPENS MOST. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY'S SINCE YOU CAN'T JUST CHANGE THE TPS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10694401
Incident
Jul 17, 2011
Mileage
35,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2014

TPMS FAILED AND FLASHES CONTINUALLY. CHEVROLET CAN'T FIX IT AND NEITHER CAN ANYONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663982
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Dec 8, 2014
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR BLOWER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662701
Incident
Dec 7, 2014
Mileage
98,200 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2014

THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. YOU GET IN THE VEHICLE TO GO SOMEWHERE AND IT WONT START. EVERYTHING COMES ON, LIGHTS, RADIO, A/C BUT IT WONT CRANK. LET IT SIT 10-20 MINUTES AND IT CRANKS RIGHT UP. AND IT DOESN'T DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT MAY HAPPEN 3 TIMES IN A WEEK THEN GO 2 MONTHS OR LONGER WITHOUT HAPPENING AGAIN. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO MY 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN! I REALLY REALLY HATE THIS! WE BOUGHT THIS FOR MY DAUGHTER TO DRIVE AND IT HAS LEFT HER STRANDED, LATE FOR CLASS, SITTING A THE GAS STATION MANY MANY TIMES! I SEE ON THESE POSTS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO. PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10629990
Incident
Aug 7, 2014
Mileage
53,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2014

FREQUENTLY, DUE TO SOME FAILED OR INTERMITTENT SENSOR IN THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM, TRUCK WILL SIMPLY NOT START OR FUNCTION. TRUCK WILL NOT ENGAGE THE STARTER AND IF BYPASSED WILL NOT ENGAGE FURL OR SPARK SYSTEMS. SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THEFT BUT UPON INTERMITTENT FAILURE, PREVENTS NORMAL USAGE. PASS LOCK LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON DASH. CAR WILL NOT START, TEN MINUTE PERIODS WILL PASS WHEN SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO RESET, BUT OFTEN IT WILL NOT WHICH MEANS ANOTHER 10 MINUTE WAIT FOR NEXT RESET. AT TIMES IT TAKES UP TO FOUR RESETS TO CONVINCE THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO ACCEPT THE INPUT. I OFTEN NOW CARRY TWO SETS OF KEYS TO TRY TO INCREASE THE SIGNAL STRENGTH-NO IDEA IF THAT HELPS. I WOULD HATE TO BE IN AN UNSAFE AREA OR OUT IN -20 DEGREE WEATHER WITH THIS PIECE OF CRAP GM ENGINEERING. DEALER USES THE "CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM BUT WE WILL BE HAPPY TO JUST RANDOMLY BEGIN REPLACING PARTS AT YOUR EXPENSE" APPROACH. A MANDATORY RECALL TO FORCE THE CORPORATION TO FIX THIS RAMPANT (GOOGLE PASSLOCK AND SEE THE COTTAGE INDUSTRY TRYING TO FIX THIS PIECE OF CRAP ENGINEERING) PROBLEM IN GM VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618318
Incident
Aug 17, 2011
Mileage
42,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 24, 2014

I HAD THE STOP LAMPS FAIL ON MY 2008 CHEVROLET COLORADO, THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THESE TRUCKS FROM 04-09 BUT MY TRUCK WAS NOT INCLUDED, I CALLED GM AND GOT NO WHERE WITH THEM AS FAR AS TAKING CARE OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM. THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY OTHER CHEVROLET COLORADO TRUCKS HAVING THE STOP LAMP PROBLEM THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605712
Incident
Jun 24, 2014
Mileage
84,572 mi
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2014

SITTING STILL AFTER STARTING TRUCK, NOTICED "DOORS" LIGHT ON DASH. GOT OUT, CHECKED ALL PASSENGER DOORS AND GOT BACK IN DRIVERS SEAT AND CLOSED THE DOOR. DOOR AJAR CAUTION REMAINED LIT. RADIO WILL NOT TURN OFF WITH IGNITION OFF, KEY REMOVED AND DRIVERS DOOR OPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10592923
Incident
May 17, 2014
Mileage
71,500 mi
AirbagsBrakesElectrical
Filed May 4, 2014

BATTERY KEEPS DYING GOT A NEW BATTERY AND IF I DON'T DRIVE IT ONE DAY AND GO OUT TO START IT ITS DEAD. AND ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ,ROUGH IDLING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586422
Incident
Feb 12, 2014
Mileage
58,545 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 7, 2014

THE TRUCK GOES DEAD EVERY TIME YOU APPLY THE BRAKES SO I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT IS BEEN PARKED SINCE LATE NOVEMBER WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE CHEVY DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THEY CHARGED $350 CHANGE THE PLUGS AND CLEAN THE INJECTORS AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. I DRIVE IT ONCE A WEEK ABOUT 5 MILES TO TAKE THE TRASH OFF. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALER TO ASK ABOUT A RECALL THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THAT TRUCK AND THE TRUCK WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BUT IF I WANTED TO BRING IT BACK THEY WOULD CHECK IT AGAIN AT A COST OF $300 TO $350 WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK I HAVE TO DRIVE EXTREMELY SLOW BECAUSE WHEN IT CUTS OFF YOU LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND ARE SUBJECT TO RUNNING A RED LIGHT OR SIDE SWIPING ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA ID
10584832
Incident
Nov 1, 2013
Mileage
88,800 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 16, 2013

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT SHUT OFF. TRIED A NEW FUSE BUT NOTHING WORKED. DON'T WANT TO SPEND 100 FOR TECH 2. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543942
Incident
Jun 15, 2013
Mileage
40,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .