2009 Chevrolet Colorado Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Colorado, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical3645.0%
- Fuel system1215.0%
- Engine1012.5%
- Airbags67.5%
- Body & structure33.8%
- Exterior lighting33.8%
- Interior & seats22.5%
- Suspension22.5%
- Brakes22.5%
- Powertrain (other)22.5%
- Driver assistance11.3%
- Other / unspecified11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle caught fire and lost everything
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE DECELERATED AND LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. AFTER 20 MINUTES THE ANTI-THEFT FEATURE WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER JOHN ELWAY CHEVROLET LOCATED AT 5200 S. BROADWAY, INGLEWOOD, CO 80113 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle caught fire and lost everything
FUEL PUMP LINE CORROSION ON FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILED CAUSING MAJOR FUEL LEAKAGE AND EXTREME FIRE HAZARD DUE TO FUEL LEAKAGE IN ADDITION TO PERMEATING INSIDE OF VEHICLE WITH TOXIC GAS FUMES.GM REFUSED ANY RECALL.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle caught fire and lost everything
RUBBER HOOD WEATHER STRIP AT REAR OF HOOD CLOSURE AREA DETACHED, DROPPED DOWN FROM INSUFFICIENT RETENTION CLIP DESIGN, ATOP OF DRIVER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CATALYST, AND CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE GREW QUICKLY AND TRAVELED UP VERTICAL LAYING WEATHER STRIP, MELTED THROUGH PLASTIC PCV HOSES AND CONVOLUTE OVER PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE SOFT FLEX HOSE PORTION. WAS ABLE TO SMELL BURNING, SEE SMOKE, OPEN HOOD, AND EXTINGUISH FIRE WITH PORTABLE EXTINGUISHER BEFORE FIRE PENETRATED PRESSURIZED FUEL FLEX HOSE AREA. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED AFTER PULLING UP TO MY WORKPLACE. THIS IS A STOCK VEHICLE KEPT IN EXCELLENT MAINTENANCE WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. I KEPT THE WEATHER STRIP AND RETENTION CLIPS AS PROOF.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRE HARNESS TRAVELED THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HINGE AND, WITH EXCESSIVE USAGE OF THE DOOR, THE WIRES FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic became aware that the entire subframe was extremely rusted and notified the contact. Additionally, the leaf spring on the driver’s side was also extremely rusted. The subframe was not replaced, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the sun visor fell down obstructing the driver’s view. Additionally, the contact stated that the frame was not properly aligned which caused loud wind noise to enter the cabin which interfered with hearing sirens or horns honking. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR DURING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
TRAVELING ON A DARK COLD NIGHT WHEN VEHICLE CODED SERVICE ENGINE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON WE HAD NO HEADLIGHTS BRAKES LIGHTS NO WIPERS NO HEAT OR AIR AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE GIT OFF THE SIDE IF ROAD BEFORE ANY COLLISON. WE WERE UNABLE TO GET ANYTHING TO COME BACK ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WE ACTUALLY HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART THAT WORKED UNTIL WE COULD GET HOME. NO ONE CM TELL US WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. NOW IT IS NOT RUNNING AND UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. NOT VERY PLEASED WITH THIS TRUCK. WE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2009. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM GM SHOULD HAVE TO FIX. I STILL CAN'T FIND A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the sun visor fell down obstructing the driver’s view. Additionally, the contact stated that the frame was not properly aligned which caused loud wind noise to enter the cabin which interfered with hearing sirens or horns honking. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DIMMED. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. LATER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT JIGGLED THE KEY FOR A WHILE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. ALSO, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE FAILURES RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THERE WAS A LOOSE GROUND HARNESS CONNECTOR AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE INNER FENDER, BELOW THE AIR FILTER BOX. THE DEALER CLEANED AND TIGHTENED THE GROUND HARNESS CONNECTOR CABLE. THE FAILURES RECURRED AFTER SIX WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,289.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Frame has rusted to the point it is dangerous to drive looking at available date this is a problem on most model Colorado and canyon mine is so bad I will not drive it and it looks like most of them are the same. I do not know satitics but I am sure there have been many injury’s or death. These results are all related to road salt.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact had taken his vehicle for state inspection and was informed by an inspector that there was significant corrosion on the main undercarriage suspension. The contact was informed by the inspector that due to the severity of the corrosion, the vehicle could no longer be driven. The vehicle failed the inspection. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR A TSB - 09V310000 - CONCERNING A FAILED / MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL WAS EXPIRED. *JS *JS *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DOES NOT RESIDE IN LOUISANA OR GEORGIA. *TR *JS
TRAVELING ON A DARK COLD NIGHT WHEN VEHICLE CODED SERVICE ENGINE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON WE HAD NO HEADLIGHTS BRAKES LIGHTS NO WIPERS NO HEAT OR AIR AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE GIT OFF THE SIDE IF ROAD BEFORE ANY COLLISON. WE WERE UNABLE TO GET ANYTHING TO COME BACK ON FOR A FEW MINUTES. WE ACTUALLY HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART THAT WORKED UNTIL WE COULD GET HOME. NO ONE CM TELL US WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. NOW IT IS NOT RUNNING AND UNABLE TO DRIVE IT. NOT VERY PLEASED WITH THIS TRUCK. WE BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2009. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM GM SHOULD HAVE TO FIX. I STILL CAN'T FIND A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS NOT SEATED IN ITS CLAMP/FITTING ALLOWING THE METAL LINE TO CONTACT/RUB THE STEEL FRAME WHEREBY A HOLE WAS WORN THROUGH TUBING. THIS CAUSED A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK WHEREBY THE LEAKED FLUID WAS BEING SPRAYED ALONG THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. *TR
ON SATURDAY OCT 24 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 CHEVROLET COLORADO WITH 1863 MILES ON IT ON THE HIGHWAY IN CHICAGO ALL OF A SUDDEN MY WIFE AND I FELT A SHUDDER IN THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIND ABOUT A MILE FURTHER WE FELT A EXPLOSION UNDER THE TRUCK SPARKS AND SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK I THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOWN TIRE IT WASN'T FOUND OUT THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE FRONT END OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN OUT TAKING THE DRIVE SHAFT AND PART OF THE MUFFLER SYSTEM WITH IT WE WERE LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW THEY TELL ME THEY ARE REPLACING WITH ALL NEW PARTS THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED THIS WAS A BRAND NEW TRUCK TWO MONTHS OLD WITH ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED MILES ON IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
STAB SYS TRACTION CONTROL SERVICE FAILURE, YAW RATE SENSOR FAILURE, EBCM FAILURE, NO CRANK/NO START FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO INCIDENT BUT WANTED TO REPORT POTENTIAL HAZARDS: I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COLORADO AND HAVE A COUPLE SAFETY COMPLAINTS. TIRE CHANGING- THIS VEHICLE IS VERY STRANGE AND UNSAFE TO ME WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE A TIRE. - THE TOP OF THE JACK IS BARELY CONCAVE(YOU HAVE TO LOOK CLOSELY) AND A LARGE ROUND AXLE HAS TO REST ON THAT SLIGHTLY CONCAVE INDENTATION OF THE JACK, IT COULD EASILY FALL OFF EVEN WHEN THE JACK IS ON A CONCRETE FLOOR. - YOU HAVE TO SLIDE ON YOUR BACK WAY UNDER THE VEHICLE TO POSITION THE JACK DIRECTLY UNDER THE VEHICLE'S AXLE ELSE IT'S AT RISK OF FALLING OFF THE JACK DUE TO MISALIGNMENT. HOW'S ANYONE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT ON THE SHOULDER AT NIGHT. - YOU HAVE TO ASSEMBLE THIS LONG 3-PIECE ROD TO SLIP INTO THE JACK AND KEEP THE JACK FROM MOVING WHEN YOU'RE CRANKING THE JACK UP TO MEET THE AXLE, HOW IS ANYONE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT W/O MOVING THE JACK? HAZARD FLASHERS- ONE DAY I NEEDED TO TURN ON THE HAZARD FLASHERS BECAUSE A DISABLED VEHICLE WAS IN FRONT OF ME. I LOOKED ALL OVER AND COULD NOT FIND THE HAZARD LIGHTS SWITCH. I HAVE DRIVEN MOSTLY GM'S MY ENTIRE LIFE, THE HAZARD SWITCH HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN PLAIN SIGHT AND RED, NEVER DID FIND IT ON THE COLORADO AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ A BIG THICK MANUAL IN AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED GM'S(ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST ADVOCATES) BUT ON THE COLORADO KEEP THINKING, "WHERE WERE THEIR EVALUATION EMPLOYEES W/THE COLORADO, THERE ARE SO MANY THING THAT WEREN'T DESIGNED RIGHT". THEY ARE BASIC THINGS THAT WOULDN'T COST ANY MORE TO DO RIGHT. SAFETY-WISE THE JACK IS A HUGE HAZARD TO ME, COULD FALL OFF THE JACK SO EASILY, WHY DIDN'T THEY DO LIKE THE S10 OR MONTE CARLO AND HAVE A LARGE BUMP OR TABS ON THE JACK THA CATCH THE EDGE OF THE FRAME.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .